Jamil Mahuad: A Legacy of Peace, Leadership, and Endurance

An inspiring moment with Jamil Mahuad, former President of Ecuador and Nobel Peace Prize nominee. His reflections on leadership, resilience, and peace resonated deeply, reminding us of the power of courageous choices in the face of adversity.

Today, the Mason Fellows had the honor of a special visit from former Mason Fellow (1989) and the former president of Ecuador, Jamil Mahuad. His name in Arabic, "Jamil," meaning beautiful, and "Mahuad," meaning compensated, perfectly encapsulates his rich and transformative life journey. Mahuad’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and the compensation of hard-won victories amidst adversity. His visit was an invaluable learning experience for all, as he shared insights from his extraordinary career in diplomacy, leadership, and global peace.
Mahuad, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee in 1999, is most renowned for his role in negotiating a historic peace treaty between Ecuador and neighboring Peru. This peace agreement, which ended over a century of territorial conflict, stands as one of the most remarkable examples of innovative diplomacy in modern history. The conflict had long been fueled by competing claims over a border area in the Amazon, and past efforts to resolve it had repeatedly failed. Yet, Mahuad’s leadership and the fresh approach he brought to the negotiation table, supported by some of the brightest minds from Harvard, led to a solution that was as creative as it was effective.
The breakthrough in the Ecuador-Peru peace negotiations came through a novel approach that separated property rights from sovereign rights. Traditionally, territorial disputes hinge on sovereignty, with one nation claiming full control over contested land. However, Mahuad and his team, after countless hours of intense negotiations and consultations with experts from Harvard, reframed the issue. They proposed that Peru would retain sovereignty over the disputed area while Ecuador would gain property rights to a small symbolic portion of the land. This compromise allowed both countries to claim a form of victory: Peru maintained territorial sovereignty, while Ecuador gained a symbolic but important stake.
This solution, rooted in innovative diplomacy, was a game-changer. It broke the deadlock that had lasted for generations and showed how creative thinking, paired with strategic diplomacy, can resolve even the most intractable conflicts. The successful negotiations involved extensive support from Harvard’s experts, whose intellectual contributions helped shape a solution that honored both nations’ histories, emotions, and needs. 
As Mahuad reflected on the negotiations, he emphasized the delicate balance between politics, symbolism, and diplomacy. He remarked, “A human being is fatally forced to choose,” quoting philosopher José Ortega y Gasset. This quote highlights the weight of leadership decisions that Mahuad carried throughout the peace process. His willingness to innovate and take risks—while navigating national pride, historical grievances, and international pressure—demonstrated profound leadership in action.

Phases of Leadership: Peaks and Valleys
Mahuad also reflected on the inevitable peaks and valleys of leadership, which he illustrated through a personal "life map" of his own journey. From being re-elected as mayor of Quito to becoming president, from signing the historic peace treaty to facing political persecution and a coup d'état, Mahuad’s career is a testament to the highs and lows that every leader faces. As he reminded his audience, “To everything there is a season”—an acknowledgment that both success and hardship are integral to the leadership journey.
Even in the face of extreme adversity, such as the stroke and political persecution he endured, Mahuad has demonstrated what it means to take action and persevere. He echoed the words of Theodore Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena… who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming.” Mahuad’s message to future leaders is clear: true leadership is about stepping into the arena, embracing failure as part of the process, and continuing to fight for what is right.

The Importance of Surrender and Taking Responsibility
One of the most profound messages from Mahuad’s talk was the idea of “surrender”—not in the sense of giving up, but in accepting life’s difficulties and adapting to the circumstances. This message of surrender was not about defeat but about resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Moreover, Mahuad spoke about leadership as a responsibility to deliver difficult truths. Quoting Ronald Heifetz, Mahuad emphasized that "exercising leadership is the capacity to deliver disturbing news and raise difficult questions in a way that people can absorb." He understood that leadership is not about avoiding hard conversations, but about confronting them head-on and inspiring others to take action rather than ignoring or rejecting the message.

Courage, Integrity, and Vision
Reflecting on his own career and the broader principles of leadership, Mahuad posed the timeless questions from John F. Kennedy: “Were we truly men of courage? Were we truly men of judgment? Were we truly men of integrity? Were we truly men of dedication?” These questions serve as a moral compass for any leader, challenging them to uphold the values of courage, integrity, and dedication in their actions.
Mahuad also encouraged future leaders to dream beyond the present, quoting Robert F. Kennedy: “There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” This call to visionary leadership invites us to challenge the status quo and imagine a better future, just as Mahuad did during his time in office and continues to do in his ongoing global work.

A Lasting Legacy
Jamil Mahuad’s legacy transcends the boundaries of politics. It is a legacy of perseverance, moral courage, and visionary leadership. His journey teaches us that leadership is not just about success but about how we rise from failure, how we navigate through adversity, and how we choose to take action when faced with difficult circumstances. 
Reflecting on Ortega y Gasset’s words, “I am I and my circumstances,” Mahuad shared how personal identity is shaped by the challenges and environments in which we find ourselves. His leadership during Ecuador’s economic turmoil and the peace negotiations with Peru exemplifies the complexity of navigating between personal values and external pressures. Mahuad’s capacity to make hard decisions during moments of crisis, while remaining steadfast in his commitment to peace, underscores the essence of true leadership.

Takeaways 
I walked away from Jamil Mahuad’s talk with a sense of pride, hope, and deep inspiration. He shared a powerful quote: "Our feet are not as important as our steps," which resonates with the mindset we live by at Harvard Kennedy School: "Ask what you can do." His reflections not only honored his own incredible journey but also prepared us for the path ahead in the Mason Program and beyond.
Reflecting on his time after Harvard, Mahuad spoke of the stark contrast between preparation at Harvard and real-world challenges, saying, “After spending two days with those who make history, I return to those who suffer from it.” His words resonate with the reality that, while we may be ready to “drive a Ferrari” after our transformative time here, the world may hand us “taxis” instead—reminding us to use our assets wisely while being aware of our limitations.
He also imparted a profound lesson on courage, stating that “Courage is the obedience to serene judgment,” beautifully capturing the balance between triumph and regress in leadership. His journey is a testament to navigating those peaks and valleys with grace, reminding us that the true measure of leadership lies in our ability to endure, to adapt, and to keep moving forward, one profound step at a time.

An unforgettable moment with former Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahuad at Mason Seminars, Harvard Kennedy School. His wisdom on leadership, peace, and navigating life's challenges truly inspires a new generation of global leaders.