What We Can Learn From Shirley Chisholm: Leadership through conviction, courage, and refusing to be silenced

In a world where politics often bends to power and compromise, Shirley Chisholm stood firm. She was the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress in 1968 and the first woman to seek the Democratic nomination for president. But more than the history she made, it was how she made it: boldly, unapologetically, and with fierce integrity. That’s what makes her one of the most compelling leadership figures of the 20th century.

At a time when the idea of intersectionality wasn’t widely understood, Chisholm lived it. She fought discrimination from both white politicians and male civil rights leaders. She called out injustice, challenged tokenism, and spoke truths others were too afraid to voice. She wasn’t interested in pleasing everyone. She was interested in progress.

So what can we learn from a leader who never waited for permission?

Shirley Chisholm, American Politician

Who was Shirley Chisholm?

Born in Brooklyn in 1924 to Caribbean parents, Chisholm’s early life was shaped by both poverty and resilience. She was a gifted student, earning a master’s degree in education and working as a nursery school teacher and educational consultant before entering politics.

In 1968, during the height of civil rights tension and social upheaval, she became the first Black woman elected to Congress, representing New York’s 12th district. She went on to serve seven terms in the House of Representatives, where she championed education, child welfare, and racial and gender equality.

In 1972, she made history again by running for the Democratic presidential nomination. It was an act that shocked and inspired in equal measure. Her campaign slogan, “Unbought and Unbossed,” became a rallying cry for independent, principled leadership.

Where she excelled

Shirley Chisholm’s leadership was grounded in values and expressed through action. She didn’t ask whether the time was right. She asked whether it was necessary.

1. Unapologetic authenticity

Chisholm never hid who she was. She refused to conform to expectations placed on Black women in public life. She wore bright colours, spoke plainly, and rejected scripts designed to make her more “palatable.” By showing up as herself, she gave others the confidence to do the same.

2. Moral courage in the face of isolation

She was often politically isolated, even by those in her own party. When she visited George Wallace, the segregationist governor of Alabama, after he was shot in 1972, she faced backlash from every side. But she saw humanity in him and believed in rising above political point-scoring. Her ability to hold moral complexity and act with compassion, even when misunderstood, remains a powerful lesson in leadership maturity.

3. Strategic disruption

Chisholm didn’t just challenge the system. She worked within it to create change. She understood procedure, policy, and the levers of power. Her leadership combined fire and focus. It was a rare blend of activism and strategic thinking.

A poster for US presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm from 1972

Where it wasn’t perfect

As with all pioneers, Chisholm’s path was difficult, and not all of her leadership choices were universally celebrated.

1. Limited establishment support

Her refusal to be managed often meant she lacked institutional backing. This limited her influence on large-scale legislative outcomes. Today’s leaders can learn that building coalitions is often essential, even when you’re standing on principle.

2. Resistance to compromise

Chisholm’s strength was also her rigidity. She refused to play the political game of trade-offs, which sometimes made her less effective in a system built on negotiation. While this preserved her integrity, it occasionally reduced her impact on the very issues she championed.

3. Visibility without legacy infrastructure

Although she inspired countless individuals, Chisholm’s movement didn’t immediately outlive her in a structured way. Leaders today must ask not just what change can I drive, but what will continue when I step back?

Leadership lessons we can apply today

Shirley Chisholm’s legacy is a masterclass in principled leadership. She didn’t just break the mould. She refused to acknowledge it in the first place.

1. Your identity is not a weakness

Chisholm didn’t hide her race, gender, accent, or background. She used them as tools for connection and credibility. In leadership, authenticity isn’t a liability. It’s a lighthouse for others navigating the same storm.

2. Be unbossed, but not unstrategic

Standing alone can be powerful, but lasting change often requires allies. Leaders must learn when to hold their ground and when to build bridges. You can be uncompromising without being uncollaborative.

3. Legacy is built in the doing

Shirley Chisholm didn’t wait to be invited. She ran. She spoke. She stood. She proved that leadership isn’t about permission, polish, or perfection. It’s about doing the work when it needs to be done.

Final thought

Shirley Chisholm was never the most resourced, the most supported, or the most expected leader. But she was often the most necessary. Her leadership reminds us that sometimes the greatest influence comes not from winning the race, but from daring to run it in the first place.

So here’s your reflection: Are you waiting to be approved, or are you ready to be unbossed?

If you’re stepping into leadership on your own terms, Leadership Unlocked might be the next step. Because leading with courage doesn’t mean leading alone.