Courage and Vision in Leadership
BPS 6332: Strategic Leadership
Assignment 1
Courage and Vision in Leadership
October 8, 2009
[pic]
School of Management
University of Texas at Dallas
Courage in Leadership Courage has always been defined as one of the essential characteristics of a leader. Many great leaders like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela have exhibited un-paralleled courage in leading for their just cause. The 2008 US presidential candidate and Senator John McCain in his article “In Search of Courage” has brilliantly emphasized on the significance of courage in a leader (McCain). According to him, courage stands out among all the traits of a leader, and one who lacks courage is simply not a leader. The article has gracefully articulated the value of courage in leading organizations and nations. What is interesting about the article is that on one hand it emphasizes on the need of courage as the only way to succeed while on the second hand it notes that courage is no longer demanded by the individuals whom the leader serves. A consequence of the latter is that our leaders do not exhibit courage as we do not demand it from them. An inherent directive is thus to expect courage from our leaders and to realize them of this expectation. For a leader, courage is all about making a decision that is unusual and then motivating people to enroll and mobilize behind that decision. The main drivers behind courage are emotional commitment and vision. A courageous decision may not be an obvious choice, but it is the direct results of the leader’s confidence and optimism. An imminent example is that of Nelson Mandela who remained in prison for twenty-seven years but his confidence and commitment in making South Africa a multiracial country never wavered. Kathleen Reardon in her article has also asserted on the role of courage in leadership. She believes that good leaders have a greater than average willingness to make bold moves and they do so with careful
Assignment 1
Courage and Vision in Leadership
October 8, 2009
[pic]
School of Management
University of Texas at Dallas
Courage in Leadership Courage has always been defined as one of the essential characteristics of a leader. Many great leaders like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela have exhibited un-paralleled courage in leading for their just cause. The 2008 US presidential candidate and Senator John McCain in his article “In Search of Courage” has brilliantly emphasized on the significance of courage in a leader (McCain). According to him, courage stands out among all the traits of a leader, and one who lacks courage is simply not a leader. The article has gracefully articulated the value of courage in leading organizations and nations. What is interesting about the article is that on one hand it emphasizes on the need of courage as the only way to succeed while on the second hand it notes that courage is no longer demanded by the individuals whom the leader serves. A consequence of the latter is that our leaders do not exhibit courage as we do not demand it from them. An inherent directive is thus to expect courage from our leaders and to realize them of this expectation. For a leader, courage is all about making a decision that is unusual and then motivating people to enroll and mobilize behind that decision. The main drivers behind courage are emotional commitment and vision. A courageous decision may not be an obvious choice, but it is the direct results of the leader’s confidence and optimism. An imminent example is that of Nelson Mandela who remained in prison for twenty-seven years but his confidence and commitment in making South Africa a multiracial country never wavered. Kathleen Reardon in her article has also asserted on the role of courage in leadership. She believes that good leaders have a greater than average willingness to make bold moves and they do so with careful
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