In July 1940, Winston Churchill made one of the most agonising decisions of his career. With France fallen to the Nazis, the Vichy government in uneasy collaboration with Hitler, and the French fleet stationed off Algeria refusing to surrender or move to neutral territory, Churchill faced an unthinkable possibility: a hostile navy strong enough to invade Britain.
Despite his lifelong admiration for France and deep personal anguish, Churchill ordered the Royal Navy to attack. Operation Catapult resulted in the deaths of 1,299 French sailors - a decision that shocked the world and strained Anglo-French relations. Yet it was a decision made in the cold, clear light of necessity. As Andrew Roberts writes, “There are some moments in history when a sudden act of opportune ruthlessness readjusts the world toward a safer path.”
That’s what leadership sometimes demands: courage not just to act, but to act when every fibre of your being wishes the circumstances were different.
It’s worth asking - in our era of soft consensus, political hedging, and performative outrage - where have all the Churchills gone?
The world once again finds itself in uncertain waters. Only this time, the authoritarian threat comes not from beyond the borders, but from within the heart of Western democracy. Donald Trump has made no secret of his disdain for democratic norms. He promises retribution, not reconciliation. He peddles conspiracy, not clarity. He inspires division, not unity. And far too many elected leaders, both in the US. and abroad, either look away or speak in euphemisms, unwilling to confront the reality head-on.
Churchill’s greatness didn’t come from always being right - he wasn’t - but from having the moral nerve to lead when it counted. He told hard truths. He risked unpopularity. He stared down existential threats when others hoped they might go away on their own.
And that’s the question for all of us in leadership - whether in politics, business, or community life: Are we willing to do the hard thing when the easy thing is more convenient?
How to bring out your inner Churchill:
-
Face reality, however brutal. Churchill didn’t pretend things would get better on their own. He gave Britain the truth - straight and unvarnished - because he respected people enough to believe they could handle it. As a leader, don’t sugar-coat. Name the issue. Clarity builds trust.
-
Put principle above popularity. Leadership is not a popularity contest. Making difficult decisions often means alienating allies or standing alone. If you need everyone to like you, you’re not leading - you’re following the crowd.
-
Act before the crisis becomes unmanageable. Churchill understood timing. He didn’t wait for the threat to grow stronger; he made a preemptive strike. Good leaders don’t sit on their hands until options disappear. They move early, and decisively.
-
Use words to inspire action, not just applause. Churchill was a master of language, not to flatter but to focus. He galvanised people not by telling them what they wanted to hear, but what they needed to do. Elevate your communication. Make it mean something.
- Own the burden. Leadership can be lonely. The burden of command is real. But great leaders carry it with a sense of duty, not ego. As Churchill put it, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” If you want to lead, carry the weight.
In a world facing renewed threats to democratic institutions and civil discourse, we don’t need more careerists or consensus-seekers. We need leaders with backbone - leaders who recognise when the moment demands action, not avoidance.
It’s time to rediscover the courage to lead. Because history is watching, and it always remembers who stepped forward when it mattered.
Where have all the Churchills gone? Maybe the better question is: what would it take to find yours?
William Montgomery is the Founder and CEO of TEN LTD, and an experienced keynote speaker and event host. He has spoken to a broad range of audiences on a variety of topics, bringing valuable insights and expertise. In addition, he volunteers with Speakers for Schools and Inspiring the Future. For more information or to request further insights, please contact him on +44 333 666 1010.