As I read this chapter, I recognized the leadership styles of a transformational leader and leader member. I am most familiar with those elements because those are the types of leaders often portrayed in movies and on television. For example, in the movie, Brave heart, the character, Sir William Wallace displayed those types of characteristics as a dynamic and sympathetic leader.
Not only was Wallace a leader member, he capitalized on the exchange theory. The common relationship he had with his fellow Scotsmen was the powerful component of lineage that linked him to his followers. He was their leader and a Scotsmen, therefore, a member. Furthermore, the main objective of Wallace and his followers was to secure their freedom from English rule. As a transformational leader, Wallace convinced his compatriots’ to fight and die rather than be submissive to the English monarchy. Wallace spoke to his followers about their rightful value as free people as God intended. He used emotion and standard as components in to define their fight against the English king.
“I can not be a traitor, for I owe him no allegiance. He is not my Sovereign; he never received my homage; and whilst life is in this persecuted body, he never shall receive it. To the other points whereof I am accused, I freely confess them all. (…) I have been an enemy to its enemies; I have slain the English; I have mortally opposed the English King; I have stormed and taken the towns and castles which he unjustly claimed as his own. If I or my soldiers have plundered or done injury to the houses or ministers of religion, I repent me of my sin; but it is not of Edward of England I shall ask pardons”. —William Wallace
After his death in 1305, the transformation William Wallace inspired in his compatriots was realized when Scotland won independence from England in the first war at Bannockburn in1314.
Reference:
• (na) “Wars of Independence, William Wallace”. http://www.bbc.co.uk (accessed 5-15-15) ”http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/independence/features_independence_wallace2.shtml