Martin Luther King Jnr.

Introduction to Leadership

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The leader I have chosen from History that I admire most is Martin Luther King Jnr. He was an activist, Clergyman as well as a leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King Jnr was born on January 15th, 1929 and his memory has remained in the minds of many people due to the roles he undertook in advancing the civil rights movements of Americans and individuals in the whole world (Holland, n.d.). He used nonviolent methods in his battle against the oppression and harassment of the African Americans.

Bass' leadership approaches

Taking into consideration the steps and activities that Martin Luther King Jnr used to push his dream, it is very clear that he was a transformational leader (Kanter, 2010). He transformed his followers by increasing their awareness of the task and importance value. He ensured that his followers got to focus first on the goals and there as opposed to their interests. He had a very powerful and concrete vision that he expressed clearly to his followers and gave them the inspiration of sharing and supporting the dream. He had a clear sense of where he was leading his followers.

Being a leader and more so of the American Civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jnr experienced major challenges, but he was never shaken at any moment (Bass, 1990). All the challenges he faced was a motivation as well as inspiration for him to continue striving I his quest of liberating the African Americans and telling them about the reality of the situation they were experiencing. Martin Luther King Jnr acknowledged the abilities of his followers openly and showed them that he had trust in them. He was courageous and confident, and that is why he was not afraid of stating things that he correctly knew that it was right. Other than being an influential leader, he inspired his followers to be great (Bass & Riggio, 2006). He was thus a transformational leader.

Follower-Focused Leadership

There are certain aspects of Martin Luther King Jnr leadership styles that arise from the follower-focused leadership theories. Luther King Jnr was a servant leader because his leadership was based on strong values and ideas. He cared more about the liberation of the African Americans that his success. He looked after the needs of his followers and provided an environment where the followers could reach the liberation. His commitment to his followers is depicted in his historic speech "I have a dream" where he challenged the authors of the America constitution to maintain their promise of a fair America for each single individual. He fought for an inclusive change where no one would be adjudicated according to his race and color.

Luther King Jnr's leadership style can also be thought as authentic since he focused so much of molding a consensus (Barnes e,tal, 2003). During the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jnr managed to bring together several organizations with diverse leaders and still came to a consensus. Luther King Jnr focused on moderation during the civil rights movement, and this is what contributed to its success. Another Follower-focused leadership depicted by Martin Luther King Jnr is an emphasis on peace, and this is evidenced by him calling people not to allow them to be buried in the darkness of selfishness but to remain in the light of selfishness.

Concept of leadership and the importance of leadership

Leadership involves a process by which individual influences others so that they can accomplish and objective and directs an organization in a way that makes it more cohesive as well as coherent. Leadership is about one being in a position to stand up for the followers as well as fighting for their rights. It is about showing confidence and courage even in the face of opposition and obstacles (Northouse, n.d.). It entails the use of nonviolent means to drive a point. Leadership is important because it initiates actions, it ensures that the followers are motivated; leadership provides guidance and creates confidence as well as builds the morale of the followers.