what makes a leader

For centuries now, people have had certain requiremnts and standards that they expected their leaders to uphold and meet. Looking back into history, most of the greatest leaders like Hitler, Gandhi, Martin Luther, and Abraham Lincoln each possessed certain qualities that made them appealing and welcomed by their followers. They are considered some of the greatest rulers in history because of the traits and qualities they possessed. In the trait theory approach, some of these traits that leaders are supposed to have are listed with Determination, Sociability, Integrity, and Intelligence being the most important. All these traits are what we as Americans found in President Obama when we elected him president. The current situations in Egypt are as a result of president Mubarak’s lack of these qualities. The Egyptians are unsatisfied with the performance of their president and his continuous neglect of his people. According to the people, Mubarak has lost his determination and zeal to develop the country and create new developments and programs that will better the lives of his people. he continues to let his people suffer showing no compassion towards them. His 30 year reign reflects his lack integrity and reveals him as a dictator. This is why the Egyptians are “demanding the departure of a regime and the beginning of a new Egypt in which every Egyptian lives in virtue, freedom, and dignity”. This is what the trait theory was trying to explain; that without some of these essential qualities, one cannot become an effective leader and chaos could arise like it did in Egypt.

One other argument raised in the reading was that leadership can be learned and one doesn’t need to be born a leader to become one. This concept refutes the Great man theory that stated that Leaders were born and not made. In my experience, the point from the trait approach paper relates more to me. I wouldn’t say I was born a leader or it runs in my genes. I first got the drive and passion for leading after I read the book Freedom Writers in my sophomore year English class. Hilary’s Swank’s character greatly impacted my view about leadership. She made a difference in the lives of all these people who she didn’t know at first and she assumed the leadership position in that school. My teacher made us write an essay about how we related to the movie and while writing this, I realized how much I had been impacted and I realized I had developed this new found passion for leadership. I began taking on leadership role in the community and in my school. I became president of my church’s youth council, joined my schools Student government and also assumed the role of secretary for my schools speech and debate team. I had acquired a new drive and determination to help and make a difference in the lives of those around me, something that I had never felt or had before. I became a leader, not because I was born one, but because I decided to be one.