LEADERSHIP TRAITS
[Part One]

By
Frank Williams

Under the absolute government of a single man, despotism, to reach the soul, clumsily struck at the body, and the soul, escaping from such blows, rose gloriously above it; but in democratic republics that is not at all how tyranny behaves; it leaves the body alone and goes straight for the soul. The master no longer says: “Think like me or you die.” He does say: “You are free not to think as I do…but from this day you are as a stranger among us…. You will remain among men, but you will lose your rights to count as one….

   Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America
(The Stirring of Soul In The workplace—Alan Briskin)
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In America, there are people composed of different characteristics, traits, styles, beliefs and concepts that produce different types of leaders. What does it take for a person to lead in America? After all, many are hand picked for you to vote for, many politicians has spent millions of their own dollars to become leaders of the people, and a chosen few are picked by the people to lead. Many of these leaders have their own hidden agendas such as oil, power and money.  Where as there are a few leaders that truly represent the poor people.

Leaders were created since the beginning of time. If you had read the Holy Bible, Holy Qu’ran, or the Torah, you will find prophets that were called or forced to become leaders. Most would have been considered leaders by way of the Great Event Theory, meaning that a crisis or important event caused a person to rise to the occasion, which brought about extraordinary leadership qualities in a mortal person. Some of the prophets had a past history in crime and were redeemed by God, and given directions to become leaders of people during trouble times in different nations. 

In theory there are four types of leaders: The Trait Theory suggests that personality traits can cause a person to lead people naturally causing them to land in the leadership position, The Great Event Theory suggest that a person may rise to a leadership position due to a crisis which brings out extraordinary qualities in that person, and third is the Transformational Leadership Theory which says that a person can choose to be a leader by learning the skills to motivate and inspire people using their charisma, communication skills and authority to get people to follow them or work for them. Fourth is the Transactional leader which says that this person is efficient and focus on planning, strategies and monitor performance.

Biblical leaders displayed leadership styles, characters and traits. Jeremiah was known as the reluctant leader.  Jeremiah was called to do God’s will. He was called reluctant because he would question God. At times he had felt depression during his quest. Jeremiah had great courage and vision. He was pious and communicated with emphasis although he was hated even by his own people and kin. Jeremiah stayed steadfast in doing God’s will. Being honorable, pious, steadfast and communicating the vision of God was his character traits. These are traits found in great leaders. 

Jeremiah, the reluctant leader, was a strong and courageous leader with character. Reluctant does not serve Jeremiah character justice although it was apart of his character. He was reluctant at times because he felt deeply for people regardless of their situation. But, it was through God’s commands that made vision overpower his sentimental feelings to move forward with strength in carrying the message of God to the pharaohs of the day. Jeremiah’s determination, drive, energy, and spirit surpassed his reluctant behavior, which these trait developed overtime, made him a true leader.

Interesting enough women in the Bible showed leadership traits such as Ester who was known to be self-sacrificing and willing to take risks. Deborah was known for having great courage and wisdom. She used her wisdom wisely as a judge and arbitrator. Lydia was a woman who wouldn’t take a no and welcomed people with open arms. Martha was known as a doer. Mary Magdalene was known for her tenderness, strength, earthiness and love for Jesus. Zipporah could make fast decisions and follow through with them.

If you want to find out about leadership styles and traits, the Holy Bible or the Books of God are the ones to view. Somewhere along the line, man seem to have forgotten their past histories. When you hear about distinction between religion and government, when you hear about no prayers in school, when you hear about litigations against the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance, the message is loud and clear that the soul is being covered up by dirt, greed, differences and neglect—to be straight forward, ignorance. Where are our leaders when it is justified that a child cannot pray in school? It seems to me that the different cultures that are integrated in the schools would use the opportunity to allow the different cultures to teach other languages through prayer! It is also said that the basis of a good leader is his/her honorable character.

Where are the true leaders that represent the people when those who sit on the Supreme Court to rule, would rule in favor to not pray in school? It appears that a right is lost. It appears that one’s soul needs to be examined.

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm wrote Cinderella in 1812 as folklore. Cinderella is the tale of a girl who fell victim to her Stepmother and stepsisters. She was treated as a slave. Cinderella was ridiculed, mocked, mistreated and worked hard going through many adversities caused by the darkened hearts of her so-called family. She went through many trials treating her family, honorably. Cinderella was destined too.

Cinderella had leadership traits, which caused her to rise above the sad condition she was forced to live under. Cinderella was devoted to her birth mother wishes to be pious and good. She kept faith and prayed even under the most oppressive conditions. Cinderella had self-determination, endurance, strong willed, created opportunities and saw them through. It was through these traits that Cinderella was able to overcome the oppressive conditioning she was submitted to. She went against the discriminating authority figures that told her she couldn’t go to the gathering where the prince would be. She went anyway. Later he sought her out and found her. She would come into her destiny as the princess she so rightly deserved. 

Some people recognize Cinderella as a leader, while others felt that she had some qualities or leadership traits. Cinderella had honorable character, loyalty, beliefs and values. But, the argument that she had not led anyone, nor had she revealed any vision that would dictate or suggest that she was a leader, or led anyone to or from any situations, circumstances or event except for herself.

From the reading of Cinderella, she may not have led others, inspired others, caused others to rise from their oppression during a time when women had no rights, the traits she possessed and her story is truly one that could cause people in this day and age to follow her lead. In her story, faith and prayer were the strongest fundamental attributes she had. Cinderella could of certainly become a leader for all people poor and rich.

If our so-called leaders would instill the same, war would never be an option except as a defense to use last for protection. If our governmental leaders would pray and be steadfast in prayers, pious, loyal to the people that they serve, homelessness would be less in the United States. People suffering due to heavy stressors and phases of adjustment from life’s circumstances caused by the capitalistic greed of our society, one wouldn’t have to have had a Harriet Tubman to force African Slaves through the Underground Railroad to freedom. Black Leaders wouldn’t of been assassinated for awakening a people from their masters on the move for civil rights.  If, If, If? 

In government, an official governs, regulate, set the tone and pace, uses authority, mediates and negotiates, serves for the best interest of the citizens, held strong and true regards for, by those who has put that person in position and power. Traits are the distinguish qualities or characteristics of a person. It is partly because of these traits that a leader should be judged upon.