When I am asked to think of my childhood role model, I would probably come up with numerous people that left strong impressions on me while growing up. Some were celebrities while some were not. Among them, my 4th grade teacher made the list of my models. They were superheroes in my mind and made tremendous amount of influence on shaping who I am today. I started thinking why they were my role models and how they influenced me during my childhood. I still have not figured out the complete set of the reasons, but I figured out that most of them were transformational leaders that motivated me to believe in their visions.
Transformational leaders are individuals that change the status quo (Lesson 10, n.d.). They have visions and a set of values. They often use emotional influence to motivate their followers to change their way of thinking to embrace the visions (Northouse, 2016). Some may disagree with my selection of transformational leaders in our current society as they are the former President Barack Obama, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Oprah Winfrey. Even though they all have different skills, knowledge, temperaments, and personality traits, they all seem to have transformational leader characteristics as aforementioned, and use common strategies in transforming groups (Northouse, 2016).
First of all, Obama, as an example, is known to have clear visions that were beneficial and attractive which followers could easily understood and embraced. His eloquence and charisma often play major roles to motivate them to embrace the visions (Baisallion et al., n.d.; Northouse, 2016). Secondly, transformational leaders are referred to as social architects. According to a recent news article, Oprah has changed or shaped the societal norms (Clifford, 2011). While certain topics are considered taboo to talk about in public, she willingly shared her own personal experiences that pertain to her weight issues, childhood sexual abuse, and struggles which made the topics less taboo to talk about for many sexual abuse victims and those who are struggling with their weight. She has tried transforming the norms and inspired her follower to accept the new ideas (Northouse, 2016). Since the beginning of Obama’s and Winfrey’s career, they have consistently shown how predictable and reliable they are which helped them create trust in their followers (Northouse, 2016). That being said, it is safe to predict that Obama will continue to have and/ or support visions that are beneficial to all, and Winfrey will continue to promote benevolence through the media. The last common strategy that is used by transformational leaders is that they do not dwell on their weaknesses but emphasize their strengths through their positive self-regard (Northouse, 2016). There are many speculations why Bernie Sanders lost the primary, yet what made him stand out as a transformational leader is that he did not dwell on the defeat. Instead, he continued to work as a U.S. Senator striving to make positive changes in this nation (Stanek, 2016).
Transformational leaders throughout the course of the U.S. history have motivated followers to transcend “their own self-interests for the good of the group or organization” (Northouse, 2016, p.170). Obama, Winfrey, and Sanders have done so, and will continue to do so for making this society a better place to live for generations to come. This piece of knowledge encourages and motivates me to believe in the idea that we are in part of constructing positive changes in the society.
References:
Stanek, B. (2016, August 05). Bernie Sanders tells his supporters why they really, really need to vote for Hillary Clinton. Retrieved from http://theweek.com/speedreads/641353/bernie-sanders-tells-supporters-why-really-really-need-vote-hillary-clinton
Northouse, P.G. (2016) Leadership: Theory and Practice (7th Ed.) Los Angeles: Sage Publications
Bisaillon, M. (Producer), & Sanders, S., & Treumann, J. (Writers). (n.d.). Biography of Barack Obama [Video file]. USA: Towers Productions, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QH-Lonoknk&t=3s
Clifford, M. (2011, May 20). How Oprah has changed the way we live. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/13/oprah.influence/index.html
John Ellis says
Kmp5693,
I completely agree with your selection of transformational leaders. Oprah’s philanthropic efforts are legendary, and I have seen her inspire so many during my lifetime. Sen. Sanders – who I was not originally a “fan” of – has impacted my views and world perspective. In the wake of last year’s presidential campaign, I began following him on Twitter and listening to his numerous and “energetic” interviews on television and YouTube. For better or worse, today’s technology presents unlimited opportunities for transformational leaders.
Long before his speech at the Democratic National Convention almost nine years ago, then Sen. Barack Obama has exhibited the finest ideals. Values, ethics, vision, emotional stability and standards embody the characteristics of a transformational leader (Northouse, 2016). Those traits, as well as natural charisma, compassion, empathy and master public speaking skills, have allowed him to transform the views of many on healthcare, education and civil rights among other things. Obama is selfless and understanding of the struggles of many Americans. Countless Americans have been and continue to be motivated to do better, to be better, not just for themselves and loved ones, but also for their communities and all Americans.
Transformational leadership occurs when a person engages with others in such a way that followers are raised to higher levels of motivation and morality (Burns, 1978). Throughout history, leaders have motivated and inspired followers to achieve successes and personal improvement that did not seem possible. Your chosen leaders are stellar examples of transformational forces in our society.
-John
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References
Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper & Row.
Northouse, P.G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice (7th ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Ltd.
tmp5400 says
I think your part on former president Obama was eloquent. The part I can get behind is that he was embraced the public and easily understood. Rarely, did I hear him use hard to understand rhetoric devices in his speech; he truly knew his audience when addressing the public. Transforming public address and articulating his words carefully made him easy to follow and an inspiration. Transformational leaders like former President Obama found motivation from within and used that as the driving force to effectively manage the direction of his citizens (Hoggs, 2012). Inspiration comes not just from a formal motivational speech or simple recognition for a job well done, but by treating people as individuals and taking the time to understand what motivates and inspires them (Hoggs, 2012). He was civil and often met with the people. I think I had same feeling you had; he was talking directly to me. His voice attracted your ears and his media tone deafness steered his pronounced unadulterated rhetoric.
The best line was the first line of your conclusion paragraph especially on how transformation leaders use “their own self-interests for the good of the group or organization” (Northouse, 2016, p.170). In the US army, selfless service is one our main values. My boss always says, “if you walk out of work and can’t figure out one thing you did for someone else or this unit, turn around and walk back in.” It was one of the first things he said to me when I joined his team and it will be forever cemented in my moral compass. Transformational leaders do take, they give. Of course, they care about themselves to a certain extent but they care for others more. Sometimes I wish I could be as self-serving as you describe Oprah Winfrey. The world is a better place with transformational leaders. Without them, we (these United States) would have not have evolved into such a dominant strong self-serving nation.
Hogg, Bill (2012). Bill Hogg & Associates. 10 Characteristics of Transformational Leadership. Derved from http://www.billhogg.ca/2012/03/10-characteristics-of-transformational-leaders/.