Joan of Arc was a French farmgirl who, in 1428, at age 16, proclaimed that she would lead the kingdom of France to reclaim Orleans — territory lost to England.
Given the might of the English military, this claim would have been bold for anyone at the time! But it was especially so for a teenager from a rural village without ties to power…
Yet Joan’s words launched the journey of one of history’s most celebrated leaders.
So what can Joan of Arc’s story teach us about leadership for our time?
Here are five lessons for today —
- Great leaders communicate vision. The first step in Joan’s rise was predicting a military reversal at the Battle of Rouvray, an outcome largely unanticipated among the French public. When this unlikely prediction came true, Joan’s strategic acumen caught the attention of the King of France, who invited her to lead a series of small campaigns. She assumed a more significant portion of the nation’s army with each successful outcome, becoming its chief commander at 17. By the end of the year, Joan’s army had reclaimed much of France’s lost land, including Reims, deep in English-occupied territory.
- Great leaders open new territory. Joan of Arc understood the possibility of outcomes others couldn’t see. She motivated those around her to go beyond their comfort zones, pursuing challenges and following paths forward they hadn’t imagined possible.
- Great leaders put it on the line. Joan of Arc led by example. She commanded armies twice her age by consolidating efforts around a collective strategy. She was often carried from the battlefield, injured, only to return. She inspired thousands to rally to a single banner by participating in dangerous campaigns alongside her teams.
- Great leaders focus on the future. Joan was optimistic, possessing the poise to execute complex strategies amid raging battles, helping her teams to move forward. Dynamic leaders concentrate on future goals without getting side-tracked, overcoming near-term obstacles.
- Great leaders build trust. In the end, Joan of Arc was captured during a particularly harrowing skirmish as she stayed behind to support her rear guard, having helped the rest of her army safely retreat from the battlefield. Joan’s soldiers launched three attempts to rescue her, risking their lives. But time ran out, and her captors executed her. Joan’s bravery lives on in hearts across France and worldwide.
At its core, Joan of Arc reveals that leadership is not where you start but how you respond and who you become through the process. That is the Hero’s Journey.
Who in the Arts, past or present, reminds you of Joan of Arc?
