When choosing to write about a influential leader of any era, you can hardly pick one more influential that John F. Kennedy. As president Kennedy faced and dealt with many issues and successfully campaigned for issues that he felt were for the greater good of the country.
Kennedy’s style of leadership to me was the Power and Influence style. He knew he had the power to change things, and he also had the ability to influence others to see his way of thinking. Power and Influence style is defined in the lesson as: “Power is the capacity to cause change and influence is the degree in actual change in attitudes, values, beliefs or behaviors.” (PSU WC p. 3) For instance Kennedy’s program dubbed The New Frontier was unheard of for what his plans to change, create and execute different ideas were. He used his power as president to get the ball rolling on multiple facets of the program such as establishing the Peace Corp (still in existence today), raising the minimum wage, passed bills on housing, etc. He used his power over Congress, by constantly “bullying” them with speeches, and messages. As for the public this is where his influencing abilities were used, he addressed the public on his plans and visions for the country and gained mass approval from them. Kennedy was known as a man who had a way with words, and by using them on the public he was able to gather even more pressure to put on Congress for his plans.
His ability to influence others didn’t stop there, but continued after his assassination. Kennedy learned a very valuable lesson within his first 3 months of being president with the incident known as the “Bay of Pigs”. According to Dr. Joshua Sandman, Kennedy learned that as president he would need a designated person to rely upon who had the presidents best interests at heart and someone who he could rely upon to give him the facts of important issues and help make decisions. Successful presidents have followed this example and the ones who have not, have proved to be less successful.
Kennedy himself was also influenced in his early years by his father and his grandfather who was the mayor of Boston. He modeled much of his behavior by what he witnessed as a child growing up. Kennedy is also said to have greatly admired Winston Churchill and this is evidenced by the fact that Kennedy made him an honorary U.S. citizen in 1963.
Every great leader must have role models and must also be a role model for future generations. Kennedy had them and was and is still a great role model for today. He broke the mold in many aspects.
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