In March 2011, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet announced that he would formally relinquish his political leadership role in the Tibetan exile government, a political decision, yet in my opinion, duly reflects his inner spiritual strength.
Upon making the announcement, and while being interviewed, the Ven. described himself as follows: "I am a simple Buddhist monk — no more, no less." Granted, from an outsider's point, his life is anything but simple. Yet, the point is: he is able to maintain a mindset as such. It takes long-term meditation to train the mind before one can calmly but confidently reaffirming such a self-identity.
Let's not put too much emphasis on his past political career, if you intend to learn something from the Ven. from a pragmatic perspective. Instead, start your mindful training now, see you can confidently, but very consciously, identify yourself as "I am what I am, no more and no less" in three years. Cheers!