Olivia DeSalvo
Journal 1, Due: Sept 13
Personal Similarities/Differences to Historical Leaders
Through studying various historical leaders, I have recognized similarities to a
few with compatible strengths. A couple of my top strengths included “harmony” and
“competition”. Of course, when I think of harmony, the leader Lao-tzu comes to mind. Lao-tzu
believed in the trust of everyone – both leaders and followers. He also was a responsive leader,
so he flowed with problems like water. His desire that everyone should trust one another without
a doubt refers to the “harmony” strength of mine. Those who believe in harmony want everyone
in the group to be involved and to interact with one another without confrontation. One aspect of
Lao-Tzu’s leadership which I didn’t feel that I was compatible with was his concept of leaders
not wanting to lead for reward. “Competition”, one of my top five strengths, symbolizes the
longing to be better than others in the group. Competitive leaders measure their progress against
other’s progress, and I feel that this contrasts with Lao-Tzu’s philosophy. Another leader which
epitomizes harmonious ideas is Gandhi, who felt that leaders should be role-models for
peaceful interactions. Gandhi claimed no followers, and didn’t believe that followers should exist
behind leaders. His passive-resistant leadership style blends well with my harmonious leadership
styles. By incorporating every member of a given group into achieving our common goal and
working together rather than against one another, I can demonstrate Gandhi’s style in my method
of leadership.
In reference to “Competition” as one of my top strengths, I feel as if the leaders
who I can relate to include Plato and W.E.B. DuBois. For example, Plato believed that too
much equality would lead to too much freedom, which he feared would lead to rebellion due to
lack of respect. He also felt that followers should admire leaders who could guide the people
with their political greatness and wisdom. This relates to competition, since leaders enjoy being
at the top of pack and looked up to. Likewise, W.E.B. DuBois wanted leaders to be glorified so
followers would aspire to be them. He summed this up with his “Talented Tenth” theory which
he felt existed in the African American community. The competitive aspect of my leadership
skills may relate to those of Machiavelli, although he felt it was important to deceive the
followers with an appearance of a good leader. Therefore, I only mildly relate to Machiavelli
with a sole similar strength – competition.
Of the leaders whose styles I would like to mimic, I would have to choose Ida B.
Wells for her uncompromising style of leadership. Ida B. Wells was a strong advocate for
integration within Chicago schools. She fought for her purpose with determination and
accepted consequences for her belief. She felt that those who weren’t fighting to solve the
problem were aiding it as well. I admire the determined leadership styles of Ida B. Wells, and
would like to blend that into my current strengths. Although “determination” is not a listed
strength of mine, I know that the “competition” strength would come into play and aid the desire
to accomplish goals. Out of the many historical leaders that we have studied so far, I don’t see
myself abiding by the beliefs of Aristotle. Aristotle felt that leaders and followers should be
equal, and although I think this would work well with the harmonious style of leadership, I feel
as if it is overshadowed by the lack of competition. In Aristotle’s method of leadership, he
wanted the leaders to teach the followers to be leaders. Therefore, the leaders would be teaching
the followers to overcome them in their positions, which I don’t think would work against the
“competition” strength. I definitely could see myself making use of process leadership, but I
don’t feel as if Aristotle’s adaptation of it would be successful for me. Given the many examples
of leadership demonstrated, I feel as if leaders of any combination of strengths can relate to a
certain historical leader that we have studied. Despite their different methods of leadership, they
were all successful in accomplishing their goals and proving their philosophies, proving that
achievement can be brought about through diverse pathways.