ussian President Vladimir Putin [Images], a former Judo champion, says the sport is not just 'a sport but a philosophy', which taught him that strategy, not strength, matters.

You could use this, too, in your life!

What Judo teaches you: "Judo teaches us that a seemingly weak partner can not only resist you, but can also beat you. It is not only strength that can change the result of a match. It is also the ability to think and use the right stance. What is very improtant is to have a strong character and a strong desire for victory," Putin said on the American television network CBS' News magazine programme, 60 Minutes.

Why Judo is not a sport but a philosophy: First of all, sports like Judo teach us about relationships between people and teach you to respect your partner. 

Putin's life and career strategy: Putin worked 'very hard' to become a Judo champion in Leningrad, he said. "I think that if you do something, you should do it not only for the pelasure of the process but you should be results-oriented."

Putin, who was born into a 'family of workers', said his father and mother were just ordinary people. The three of them lived in a small room in a communal apartment in Leningrad with no private facilities.

They didn't even have a bath and a shower. "My parents worked a lot," said Putin. "So I spent a lot of time on the streets with other teenagers. It was just a normal, ordinary life."

The President's hobby those days were to chase rats with a stick, which led to a 'very interesting discovery': "If you corner a rat, it turns on you and attacks you. And a rat attacks aggressively. It even chases its adversary when they run away."

When shown a picture which appeared to show him being angry, Putin said, "I don't remember one time in my five years as President of the Russian Federation that I lost my temper. I think that this [losing temper] is absolutely uancceptable."

Leadership mantras: The former KGB agent said one had to be 'tough and consistent' in their actions. Without being tough it is impossible to be a head of state.

"It is important to take responsibility, and not hide behind your government, your law enforcement agencies, or your armed forces. That is what is important."

"It is also very important to find the right people for the job. This is definitely the most difficult task for leaders. Being tough is not the most difficult task for a person who has the position I do. It is probably more difficult to be patient and forgiving. In the position that I have, it is easier to be tough or harsh," he said.