Elizabeth I: The power of delaying decisions

We often think of successful leadership in terms of steely resolve and decisive action. And one of history’s most famous rulers, Tudor queen Elizabeth I, was certainly capable of this strength and dynamism. But there’s another side to her story, too: a recurring tendency towards procrastination and indecision.

In this episode, Tracy Borman – chief historian at Historic Royal Palaces and the author of books including Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Revelatory True Story of the Mother and Daughter who Changed History – tells Mike Soutar why this apparent dithering may in fact have been a strategic masterstroke, and highlights the tips that the queen’s reign has to offer leaders today.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on the life and legacy of Elizabeth I, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/

Watch Mike’s interview with Tracy on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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