By Ferdi van Heerden, CEO of Momentum Global Investment Management
It is not often that an event causes so many people globally to take note and to pause. And all this in the midst of a frenetic and very uncertain world in terms of geopolitics, conflicts and macro-economics.
The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II prompted a time of quiet reflection. And I think this also best describes the mood of our nation (and beyond) over the time since her passing.
But the global recognition of The Queen and the impact of her life on so many should not be surprising: she had a multitude of impactful interactions throughout her reign over seven decades with so many ordinary people as well as world leaders. She was a constant in a world of change. Her legacy will remain and will continue to be a reference for future leaders and all of us.
For me, and all of us at Momentum Global Investment Management, the most valuable reflection has been on the lessons that we can take from how she lived her life. The Queen will be remembered for the values that she lived by. These are also values that we hold dear and that we aspire to live by.
Anchored in principles. The Queen was someone who brought a sense of steadfastness, calmness, durability, continuity… an anchor in a world of change that transcended political, technological and economic changes over many decades. Through all this, she stayed true to her core principles.
A focus on service. She had an innate understanding of what it means to serve, and to be a role model. On her 21st birthday she said: “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service”. Looking back, we can all agree that she truly kept her word.
Delivering on commitments. At her coronation in 1953, The Queen said: “Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.” Again, as far as it was possible for her, she devoted her life to her work and the people that she represented, not only here in the United Kingdom but also across the Commonwealth. She never wavered in this commitment; and will be remembered as a great example of “do as you say”.
Connectedness and engagement. One of The Queen’s many hallmarks was her networking ability and the way in which she engaged and connected with people. She upheld a strong sense of diplomacy and was known for her inquiring mind and wealth of knowledge. She was a person who could connect, irrespective of her and others’ differences. The Commonwealth of Nations of today that she was instrumental in building is a great example of inclusiveness at a global scale. Her influence across the globe over so many years and presence in the world will be missed but will also be remembered for a long time to come.
Continuously reinventing. It is remarkable how The Queen throughout her long reign remained relevant and focused in her contributions and engagements; continuously adapting and reinventing herself. She never lost the moral compass that seemed to guide her, and she remained authentic in herself and her engagements. This, for me, stands out as a key lesson to all of us personally as well as in business. Continuous reinvention is key to success and to staying relevant in an ever-changing world.
Sense of duty above all else. The last image of The Queen receiving the outgoing and incoming prime ministers a day before her death, even though she was clearly frail, is the greatest example of her sense of duty from which she never shied away. What a remarkable commitment. If we could do the same in our commitments, the world would be a very different place. We too often give up or change our ways / direction in the face of adversity. The Queen showed us all what commitment and perseverance truly mean.
Key lessons to take with us.
In our business, when we invest money, we very much value consistent, principled, and predictable behaviour, delivered in as unbiased and unemotional a way as possible…no surprises. We are very analytical in our industry, but often, if not mostly, those who use our products are driven by sentiment and emotion.
The Queen demonstrated consistency and an unbiased approach to her engagements throughout her lifetime. At the same time, her ability to adapt and to understand people’s emotions enabled her to evolve throughout the years.
There are clear lessons for us as individuals, businesses, and as an investment industry to reflect on and to take from The Queen’s life. Once this moment has passed, will we simply carry on as before? Or will we commit to better serving our peers, our clients, and our communities?
As she so eloquently commented “The true measure of all our actions is how long the good in them lasts.”
God Save the King.
