If you've watched the critically-acclaimed TV series 'Crown', you know Queen Elizabeth was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary to Prince Albert, Duke of York, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
The Queen went on to marry Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, and gave birth to Prince Charles, heir to the throne.
Elizabeth was never meant to reign, -- she was the third in line! -- but circumstances forced her to accept the crown at 26 years of age.
Her life changed once her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to pursue a marriage with a divorced American socialite. Her father, Prince Albert, then became King George VI, sealing Elizabeth's fate forever.
Over the years, Elizabeth has faced many adversities and managed to overcome them all. Five secrets lie at the core of her reign and leadership.
1. Prepare for the job
When she was 11 years old, she went from being a monarch to the next in line. From that day onwards, she did everything in her power to prepare for the task ahead. She gave her first speech at 14 years of age and did her first inspection of the troops when she was 17 years old.
"It's all to do with the training -- you can do a lot if you're properly trained."
Elizabeth that everything in her power to prepare for her future role as much as she could in those 15 years. When she was 19 years old she joined The Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained next to other British women.
They taught her how to be an expert driver and mechanic. The experience allowed Elizabeth to get a glimpse of the non-royal world and better understand the people she would once lead.
2. Embrace technology
During her coronation in 1953, she insisted on having the ceremony televised, against then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill. A few years later, Elizabeth one of the first head of state to send an electronic message in 1976.
Elizabeth always understood good leadership should adapt to the coming changes, instead of fighting them. She always kept an open mind and throughout her reign, she has shown her willingness to experiment.
3. Reach out in person
The British monarch started making the headlines when she decided to visit Australia. No other sitting King or Queen had ever visited the country, making it a historical move on her behalf.
Since then, Queen Elizabeth II has visited the country often ensuring her support in Australia. Despite constantly opposing the monarchy, Australians have kept their hopes with the Queen thanks to her personal touch.
4. Keep calm and carry on
Although Elizabeth has shown great aptitude to embrace change, some of it has been harsher on her than others. Back in the 1980s, the Queen was shot at and had an encounter with a bedroom intruder. Though shocking, Elizabeth kept her head high and braved on.
Despite the constant changes affecting her life, Elizabeth never allowed her productivity to be affected by it. Whatever life threw at her, she always analyzed what was in front of her objectively and carried on.
5. Think before you speak
Elizabeth, as the British duty commands of monarchs, never expressed her political opinions -- or many others, for that matter. Rumors say the Queen never even spoke up when it came to her children's decisions. A real example of keeping your mouth shut.
The life of Queen Elizabeth II so far, show us the true habits a leader should master. Preparation is key, as you can expect you'll just naturally excel at it. You can combine online learning, with on-the-job observations. You can watch a leader you admire and one you despise, and think what makes you think so differently of both.
Whenever you can use technology to your advantage, don't be afraid to try. If you don't feel confident, ask a team member to help you, even if you're their leader. Not only will you be gaining a skill, you'll show your team you trust them well enough to take the reigns once in a while.
"I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm, and their inspiration to work together."
As convenient as text-messaging is, you'll go a long way if you take the time to meet people face-to-face. You don't need to waste an hour in a meeting, but simply dropping by and share a few words with people. Everyone likes to be given attention, even if all you're talking about is last night's dinner.
I sometimes use my Bullet Keeper to write down things that annoy me. Whenever I put it into words, I can visualize how rational my thoughts are. Having the words stare back at me kind of forces me to take a step back and rethink.
I cannot stress enough the benefits of keeping a journal. It's so much more than writing on a diary. Doing so empowers you as a professional and human being. It gives you a chance to reevaluate your life and readjust the course if needed.
I've often turned to meditation and journaling to keep me grounded, as I'm not as cool-headed as the Queen. You should give it a try, too. You'll see that over time, it will be easier and easier to keep calm and keep away those nasty little thoughts.