Question
Choose a leader from history whom you admire. Similarly, to the Barnes, Humphreys, Oyler, Pane Haden, and Novicevic
(2013) article that profiles Jerry Garcia, discuss which leadership style
was employed by your admired leader. Begin with a summary of the approaches and theories discussed.
Be sure to include the following in your essay:
Summarize Bass’ leadership approaches.
Summarize the follower-focused leadership theories: servant leadership, authentic leadership, and leader- member exchange (LMX).
Discuss the concept of leadership and the importance of leadership, and explain why you selected the style you chose for your leader.
Discuss the appropriateness or inappropriateness of the style exhibited by the leader you selected.
Sample paper
Leadership Approaches
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela can be described as one of the all-time greatest leaders in the globe today. Born in 1918, Mandela played an important role in the eradication of apartheid in South Africa as well as playing a central role in the liberation of several African countries from the harsh and oppressive colonial rule. Mandela can be described as a revolutionary, politician and a philanthropist who served as the South Africa first black African president between 1994 until 1994. During his reign, Mandela fought hard to eliminate apartheid in the country by addressing institutionalized racism in the country as well as promoting racial recognition between the whites and the blacks in the country (Mandela, 2013). However, it is worth noting that his leadership is recognized way back in his younger tears when he was sentenced to life prison in 1961. He was imprisoned for 27 years on Robben Island, but this did not prevent him from influence the politics of the country and most of his countrymen viewed him as a true leader. Upon his release in 1990, he became the president of the African National Congress, which gave him an ideal platform to spread his socialist ideas and concepts.
In the largest part of his life, Mandela can be said to have employed a transformational leadership style. A transformational or a revolutionary leader is that leader who has the abilities and powers to transform the life of followers by changing their perceptions, aspirations, expectations and values. Being an influential leader since his youthful years, Mandela led his country and people to nearly-liberated prejudice. Moreover, he elevated most of his followers and countrymen by appealing to their value and consciousness by urging them to not despise themselves based on their skin color (Beresford, 2014). As a leader, he encouraged and appealed to his followers to educate themselves and their children so that they could compete fairly with the whites and because education is the key to success and would bring the much needed political, social and economic changes in the country.
Transformational leaders have their unique style that brings positive changes, that creates a vision for the followers as well as inspiring the followers to meet the challenges that stand on their way to their dreams and vision. The appropriateness of this leadership style can be manifested through traits such as:
- Individual consideration – in this leadership approach, the leader puts more emphasis on what his followers need and embark on a journey to lead them to their dreams. Often, the leader acts as the role model, facilitator, and a teacher to motivate the followers to perform certain tasks that are necessary to the realization of their dreams(Antonakis, 2014).
- Idealized influence – the transformational leader becomes a full-fledged role model and has to act and display ideal traits of honesty, trust, and enthusiasm.
- Inspiration – the leader is a source of inspiration regarding challenges to the prevailing tasks and individuals as he encourages participation from the followers.
Leadership plays a crucial part in the development of a country or an organization. Some of the reasons as to why leaders are important to include:
- Transformational leaders help to initiate actions in their areas of jurisdiction by communicating policies and plans to his followers to get them on board.
- Creates confidence – a true leader should always be at the forefront or at the center of every activity and action taken by his followers to boost their confidence considering that confidence is an important factor in the achievement of their dreams.
References
Antonakis, J. &. (2014). Instrumental leadership: Measurement and extension of transformational–transactional leadership theory. . The Leadership Quarterly, 25(4), , 746-771.
Beresford, A. (. (2014). Nelson Mandela and the politics of South Africa’s unfinished liberation. Review of African Political Economy, 41(140),, 297-305.
Mandela, N. D. (2013). Nelson Mandela. Learn out loud.
