Donald Tironi

9/25/99

Concepts of Leadership

Ambassador Kaman

HW-2

• The purpose of this draft is to consider the nature and qualities of leadership. The objective of the draft is assess what leadership is and what it does.

• The idea of leadership has many different qualities. They can be consolidated up into four major qualities:

1. adaptability
2. charisma
3. allies

• This is a very important skill for a leader. Since leadership arises because of change, a good leader must be able to change easily. Leaders that can adapt to all situations will be able maintain the holding environment that Heifetz mentioned.

• Charisma is the magic of a leader. It is his personality. To be successful, a leader must believe in what their vision. When society sees that a leader believes in a cause, then the society will also believe in the cause. Charisma is what the leader uses to influence society. The ability to influence is where true leadership emerges.

• A leader needs allies. Allies are people that work with the leader and aid him in his tasks. The allies help to lessen the pressures that are placed upon a leader. Also the allies can aid in the persuasion necessary for a leader to be successful. Also an ally can also be a person to whom a leader can confide. The ally can listen to the leader, and aid the leader in making his decision.

• Quite simply a leader is a person that influences others. Leadership arises out of situations. Since society is not static, change must occur. When change or a need for change occurs, people look for someone to guide them. Martin Luther King, Jr. had no formal authority, but he was a leader. His leadership emerged because of the fight for Civil Rights. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leader because he could change people thinking. He was able to get the majority of a race, the African-American race, to believe in his vision. This is what a leader does.

• A leader does not have to be an adaptable person with charisma. He also does not need allies. A leader can remain static in his views. If a leader were to maintain his views throughout time, he would become predictable. Then society would know what to expect from him. Also charisma does not guarantee a good leader. A leader will not always believe in the vision of his people. However people will still look to him for leadership. Regardless of charisma, there a certain people that will rise up as leaders. Finally a leader does not need allies. He can do his job alone. If allies get in the ear of a leader, he may allow them to influence his decision. Therefore the person that is supposed to be leading is not. Rather, his allies are the true leaders. A leader must be able to stand on his feet.

• A leader is not someone who influences, but rather he is the mouthpiece for a part of society. When we look at the United States as an example, we see this exact phenomenon. When the political leaders are elected, they are sent to do the work of the people. They are not asked to create and accomplish their agenda, but rather the agenda of the people who elected them. The vision is given to a leader by his led. Then, it can be concluded that the sole purpose of a leader is to convey the vision of the led to other leaders.

It can be concluded that a leader must be an adaptable person with charisma. If a leader can not change he will no longer be useful. Society is continually in flux, and a leader must understand this. He must be able to handle the new information and adapt his style of leadership to be successful. Charisma is also important. This is the way in which leaders influence. In order for people to believe in a leader, he must show passion for his vision. The passion is what makes people react. Allies are also very important. Heifetz talks of the Lone Warrior Myth. The lone warrior myth states that by brilliance and heroism one has the ability to lead. Heifetz says that this is suicide. That is true, as a leader needs people to help him. Being a leader requires a lot. It is an overwhelming feeling without any help. Leadership without help can easily become an impossible situation. A leader has a vision. Without a vision, the is no leader because he would have no reason to lead. People look to a leader to guide them, and help them. The guidance comes as a vision, what people want. Many African Americans wanted Civil Rights, but Martin Luther King, Jr. had a vision and people followed that vision.

Leaders are very important to today’s society, as they have a huge impact on our lives. In the United States in the year 2000 there will be a presidential election. Vice-president Al Gore has been criticized for his leadership qualities. One wonders if these criticisms are valid, and if so what does Al Gore lack, that other leaders do not.

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