Said Nursi: Six educational leadership lessons

Said Nursi is a twentieth century scholar who provided educational leadership at a time when his country was in dire need of such leadership. Turkey was enduring hardships such as World War I and then World War II, while feeling the brunt of significant educational, political, religious and legal reforms. Nursi’s contribution was through his written work, the Risale-i Nur (Treatise of Light), as well as through his own life. When Nursi’s life and written work is considered, six leadership lessons can be identified: 1) Be open to changing your leadership strategy; 2) Focus on the priorities; 3) Use analogies to strengthen your message; 4) Share your struggles with your followers; 5) Instil hope in individuals; and 6) Advise yourself before you advise others. These leadership lessons continue to be relevant today, especially in educational leadership since Nursi was first and foremost an educator.