Small Vision Made BIG

Normal, healthy, active individuals do not usually think about others who suffer in silence. But, that was not the case for Terry Fox. He is a Canadian inspiration who lived in a small community on the outskirts of Vancouver. His inspirational story starts at the age of 18 when Terry was diagnosed with bone cancer and was “forced to have his right leg amputated six inches above the knee” (TTFF, 2018). While recovering in the hospital, Terry was overwhelmed by the anguish of other cancer patients and instantly chose to start raising funds to help fund cancer research by running a cross-country marathon. In 1980, Terry started his “Marathon of Hope” in the providence of Newfoundland at the age of 21. His goal was to run across Canada back to his home in Vancouver. However, after running for 143 days, 3,449 miles, he was forced to retire in Ontario due to an appearance of cancer in his body. Sadly, Terry passed away one year later but his story and memory live on every year in the annual Terry Fox Run. It is a charity event which is held in multiple locations all over Canada to raise funds for cancer research (TTFF, 2018).

So, what does Terry Fox have to do with leadership? Terry Fox is not a known celebrity such as Brad Pit or Tom Cruise but he is one of many small voices who has made a big difference in countless of people’s lives. As explain by Northouse (2016), transformational leadership is a process “whereby a person engages with others and creates a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the follower” (Northouse, 2016, p. 162). Leaders can demonstrate this capacity by showing the four transformational leadership factors which are: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellect stimulation, and individualized consideration (Northouse, 2016).

Idealized influence is the emotional act of leaders becoming role models for followers. The leaders build trust by showing “very high standards of moral and ethical conduct and can be counted on to do the right thing” (Northouse, 2016, p. 167). Terry stood up handicapped to help others, clearly demonstrating a higher sense of morality. Caring for other when many turned away. He role-modeled his actions by doing what he said he would do. Thus, Terry trained and ran his marathon for charity (TTFF, 2018).

Inspirational motivation is a leader’s way of communicating his or her shared vision to followers (Northouse, 2016). While many leaders talk and inspire others to pursue their vision, Terry lived his. Even though the inspiration for his cause come from a negative experience. The positive outcome which emerged from his efforts paid more dividends then he could have ever imagined. Currently to date, his foundation has raised over $750 millions of dollars towards cancer research worldwide (TTFF, 2018).

Intellectual stimulation is how a leader challenges his or her followers to change for the greater good or vision. In this transformational leadership factor, leaders engaging their followers and problem solve (Northouse, 2016). Terry was a young man who just started a foundation with no money to fight cancer. So, he contacted 999 Canadian businesses, calling on them to pledge the same $10,000 dollars he pledged toward the cause (TTFF, 2018).

Lastly, individualized consideration is a leader showing support and listening to the needs of his or her followers (Northouse, 2016). While at the hospital, the other patients were suffering from cancer as he did. So, even though they were not his spoken follower, he understood their pain and responded to their call (TTFF, 2018). Northouse (2016) explains that the transformational process “incorporates both the followers’ and the leader’s needs, leadership is not the sole responsibility of a leader but rather emerges from the interplay between leaders and followers” (Northouse, 2016, p. 177).

In concluding, even though Terry never sought to be in the limelight. His actions caught everyone’s attention as they watch his every step. Northouse (2016) argues that transformational leaders are agents of change who role model high-level values and principles. They seek to share a clear vision and take the necessary steps to move followers in its direction. Transformational leaders help to motivate followers and expect followers to have a high level of commitment to their vision (Northouse, 2016). Thus, Terry Fox marathon of hope did just that, he leads the charge to help fund cancer research so that there could one day be a future without the pain and suffering from it.

 

References

Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership Theory and Practice (7th Edition). London, United Kingdom: SAGE Publications, Inc.

TTFF. (2018, 01 01). An Introduction to Terry Fox. Retrieved from The Terry Fox Foundation: http://www.terryfox.org/terrys-story/

TTFF. (2018, 01 01). The Marathon of Hope. Retrieved from The Terry Fox Foundation: http://www.terryfox.org/terrys-story/marathon-of-hope/