When I think of a leader, I think of someone who will get the job done. Who is inspiring and makes you feel comfortable to follow them. That doesn't necessarily make a person who accomplishes positive change. Let me elaborate...
Hitler. Automatically when you hear that word you pull back. You become hesitant and possibly a bit resentful. Even though many feelings come along with the name, was he a good leader? Some would say he was not but, others would say he was a great leader. I believe that he was an absolutely amazing leader. He thought the lives of his people would be better without the Jews. He was not right. He didn't accomplish anything for the good but, he so passionately believed in his cause that an unimaginable amount of people followed him. They followed him by choice, they followed him because they wanted a change that was thought to be good. Hitler had a vision. He passionately believed in it, acted on it and sadly enough almost fulfilled it.
We as Americans let our leaders mainly be from the pop culture. I personally think that because of that were lookin for the wrong thing. Were looking at the people that made themselves leaders. People that didn't have to do anything to get that leadership position. People that sadly enough often times fail more then they succeed. They are all very passionate charismatic people. They do what they want to do and they believe what they believe. The root of charismatic is charisma. Charisma means; A power or personal quality that gives an individually influence or authority. Charisma is a sort of passion. Its the type of passion that would accompany the name Martin Luther King Jr. When we think of leaders we automatically think of charismatic people such as pop culture icons but, does a leader have to be charismatic? I don't think so.
Mother Theresa is such a great example of a leader. She did what she did because she believed in it, that's all. She didn't do it for the fame. She did not have anything but, slowly she became a symbol of hope and of believe. She didn't start out with an automatic leadership position, we slowly gave it to her. She didn't stand in public and so passionately announce or walk out her believes. She didn't have that in-your-face type of passion. So even though she wasn't charismatic I personally think she is one of the best examples of leadership we have ever had.
All in all, I think we need to broaden our idea of what makes a good leader. Our world is ever changing and our leadership will change along with it. A good leader doesn't always mean good leadership and it doesn't demand charisma. Hitler was a good leader with absolutely sickening leadership. Mother Theresa, an excellent leader with outstanding leadership and no charisma. Whats your definition of leadership?
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