Before becoming the 40^th President of the United States, and leading his nation, and debatably the west and the world, through the tail end of the cold war with the United Socialist Soviet Republic (USSR), Reagan was a Hollywood actor. Over thirty years later, another former actor, Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, finds himself commanding his nation’s military, rallying its citizens, and appealing to the international community, in response to a military invasion by the USSRs favorite state Russia nearly two months ago.

It is easy to draw comparison between Presidents Zelenskyy and Reagan¹, both having been in show businesses limelight, the chief executives of their respective nations, and entangled in aggression from Moscow. Each is also a transformational leader in their own right, no doubt aided in their presentation and public performance by their years of performing in the entertainment spotlight, and both exhibit(ed) the four factors that Gilbert, Horsman, & Kelloway (2016) claim to distinguish transformational behaviors and actions from other leadership models, including: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (as cited in Northouse, 2021, p. 191). While Reagan may vary well represent these factors and any other qualitative descriptors fitting transformational leadership, the remainder of this blog focuses on the transformational factors surrounding President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Weber (1947) described charisma, or idealized influence, as “a special personality characteristic that gives a person superhuman or exceptional powers… and results in the person being treated as a leader” (Northouse, 021, p. 345). While Zelenskyy’s bases of power is undoubtedly legitimate, being the publicly elected head of his state, he is also able to speak and appeal to his people, and the international community. I for one, being a military man, love and appreciate seeing a commander and chief stick it out beside his fighting citizens, and providing addresses cladded in an olive drab (typical military green camouflage color) clothing and body armor, rather than “leading” from an austere and secure location far from his people’s struggles.

My point in stating the mental image I have of Zelenskyy is that he is clearly composed and well-spoke, exudes a “dominant presence, a strong desire to influence his countrymen and allies, is confident, and has a strong personal sense of morality,” all characteristics of charismatic leadership suggested by House (1976) (as cited in Northouse, 2021, p. 346). Zelenskyy’s charisma has also played a significant role in the confidence of his follower’s commitment and abilities Zelenskyy’s expectations of all “able-bodied men” picking up arms and defending themselves and their homeland from the Russian invaders (Jenkins, 2022). Zelenskyy continues his pleas to the international community charismatically, particularly for aid in physical security forces, but despite charisma, the international community tip-toes the line of support with hesitance in fear of possibly stoking the fires of a third world war depending on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s perception.

Zelenskyy exhibited inspirational motivation to his followers by asking those that are able to stand up for themselves and their country by taking up arms against the Russian military. Zelenskyy solidified himself as a consummate leader, and one that akin to do as I do, as opposed to do as I say, by keeping collocated with his fighting men and women, despite modern convention being acceptable and expected for chief executives to seek personal safety.

Zelenskyy typified intellectual stimulation , “stimulating follower creativity and innovation” (Northouse, 2021, p.353), through procuring international arms deals for resupply of munitions, and strategizing the fervent use of Javelin missile systems, a shoulder fired missile capable of defeating enemy tanks, to greatly assist in destroying and repelling the superior armor capabilities held by Russian forces (Big Think, 2022)

The fourth factor of transformational leadership, individualized consideration, has been exercised by Zelenskyy from the expectation of a Russian invasion in two separate ways. Zelenskyy has contended to provide a supportive climate toward the needs of his followers (Northouse, 2021, p. 353) by attempting to compel Ukraine’s allies, the various global alliances, and the international community as a whole, to send support to his European nation under siege, for the sake of its people and exacerbated conflict. As well, Zelenskyy encouraged his citizens unable, unwilling, or unexpected of to fight, to seek safety as refugees in other parts Europe and the world until the conflict has settled. In such an order, Zelenskyy considered the individual needs and considerations of his people and his republic, a tough but compassionate decision that hopes to find the best for both considerations as one.

Since becoming a household name less than two months ago when Russia invaded his country’s border, former child and adult actor and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has exhibited the four factors of transformational leadership that contends to concern itself with the needs of followers, their emotions, their  values, ethics, and standards, their long-term goals, and ultimately treating them as human beings ought to be treated (Northouse, 2021, p. 341). While there are many parallels between  Zelenskyy and his American head of state predecessor Reagan as transformational leaders and otherwise, Zelenskyy has found himself in actual conflict with Moscow, still to this day, but continues to seek resolution by arms or otherwise until the needs of his people are met.

¹Reagan is occasionally referred to in the present tense, despite being deceased, as doing so allows for greater continuity in comparison to the living Zelenskyy.

References

Big Think (2022). Javelin missles: Thank DARPA for Ukraine’s success against Russian tanks. Retrieved from https://bigthink.com/the-present/javelin-missiles-darpa-ukraine/

Ford, S. [@StephenSeanFord]. (2022, Feb 25). Our boy President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy fighting in the trenches for the freedom of his people. What a fucking Chad [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/stephenseanford/status/1497367687021744128

Jenkins, C. (2022). Zelensky urges Ukrainians to take up arms as fighting in Kyiv escalates. The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/policy/international/595953-zelensky-urges-ukrainians-to-take-up-arms-as-fighting-in-kyiv-escalates/

Northouse, P.G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 9th Edition. Los Angeles: Sage Publications