Identify leaders you admire. List why and then relate those reasons to the RL attributes in this chapter. Do they fit into one or more of the relationship-based theories? Do their behaviors influence followers? How?
Made your response with a minimum of three paragraphs with three sentences each. The response should have references and citations.
Leadership is an essential aspect of every organization, and throughout history, there have been several exemplary leaders whose leadership styles and attributes have inspired and influenced others positively. One leader I admire is Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa. Mandela’s leadership qualities are remarkable, as he demonstrated courage, perseverance, empathy, and selflessness during his long fight against apartheid. He was a transformational leader who worked tirelessly to bring change to his country, and his leadership style aligns with relationship-based theories.
Mandela’s leadership qualities demonstrate the importance of relationship-based theories in leadership. According to Northouse (2019), relationship-based theories focus on the leader’s ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with their followers. Mandela’s leadership style was based on building and maintaining strong relationships with his followers, as he was known for his ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and ideologies. He was also an empathetic leader who cared deeply about the well-being of his people, which helped him to build trust and credibility with his followers.
Another leader I admire is Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Ardern’s leadership style is characterized by her compassion, humility, and authenticity, which have earned her respect and admiration from people worldwide. She has demonstrated transformational leadership attributes such as inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration, as outlined by Bass and Avolio (1994).
Ardern’s leadership style is a testament to the effectiveness of transformational leadership in influencing followers. According to Northouse (2019), transformational leaders inspire and motivate their followers to achieve their goals and aspirations. Ardern’s leadership style is based on empathy and compassion, which has enabled her to connect with her followers and build trust with them. Her actions during the Christchurch terrorist attack in 2019, where she showed compassion and unity with the Muslim community, exemplify her leadership style and how her behaviors have influenced her followers positively.
In conclusion, Nelson Mandela and Jacinda Ardern are two leaders I admire for their exceptional leadership qualities and attributes. Their leadership styles align with relationship-based and transformational theories, and they have demonstrated the importance of building strong relationships with followers, inspiring and motivating them towards positive change. Mandela and Ardern’s leadership behaviors have influenced their followers positively, and their legacies will continue to inspire generations to come.
References:
Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Improving Organizational Effectiveness through Transformational Leadership. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.