Martin Luther King: A True Leader

What does leadership mean and what does it mean to be a leader? Is it in the title that one might hold...Vice President, Commander, Chief Executive Officer, etc.? I think being a leader is more than just having a title. Don't get me wrong, having a title is important but it doesn't hold much value when it comes to one leading. I believe a true leader is not a persons that has been awarded, appointed or assigned to a position, but someone that has earned it through influencing others. There have been some great leaders who never held a high position such as, Martin Luther King Jr. He led a mass of people on the March of Washington, when he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech without holding a title. Martin Luther King Jr. is a good example
that the leader is the one that makes the position, not the position that makes the leader.

Even though the definition of leadership may vary from person to person, the common idea stays the same: leaders are people who are committed in achieving their goals, their dreams, their visions and they motivate others along the way.

Do great leaders have certain personality traits that they are born with? When you take a look back into history, you will see that these great leaders do not share the same set of personality traits or skills. You will find that some are talented speakers and others possessed wonderful minds. Then, there was Martin Luther King, Jr., an unexpected leader who changed the world with his determination, fighting for what he believed in.
To be a great leader is not about personality traits or the skill you have, its much more than that. I think being a great leader is about having heart. When you take a look at the great leaders throughout history, you will discover they have five qualities in common. These are the qualities all great leaders possessed. These five qualities are that they care deeply, are deeply passionate, take risks, don't need a title, and recognize they depend on others. We believe that in order to be a great leader that one is required to hold a position of influence, such as Vice President, Commander, Chief Executive Officer, etc, but what we don't realize is that the people that hold these position were already great leaders before getting the title. Great leaders are confident that they can make a difference without a title. These great leaders know people don't pursue titles, they pursue passionate leaders who inspire them to something greater and who believe in them. According to Northouse (2013) "Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal" (p.5). This is exactly what Martin Luther King, Jr. did with his combined traits of extroversion and motivation. Extroversion would be described best as a person who is sociable, talkative, assertive, outgoing, and has lots of positive energy. This personality trait describes Martin Luther King, Jr. perfectly. He was an extroverted leader who excelled in social connections and he advocated strongly for his goals, his dreams, and his visions. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a successful leader because he was able to be flexible and adapt to different situation when called for. He brought out the best in others by connecting with them in away they were motivated to follow him in achieving that common goal, Equal Rights in America.

"A man is only a leader when a follower stands beside him." (Mark Brouwer).
Martin Luther King, Jr. was this leader who inspired a generation. He possessed a true greatness that made him a great leader. He was able to lead a mass of people into his vision by his character and his integrity. Through one of his many traits, extroversion, Martin Luther King, Jr. had the ability to be positive, sociable, and assertive. During his first appointment as a preacher located in Montgomery, Alabama, Martin Luther King, Jr. realized the situation with racial segregation was wrong, he made a vow to change this, by stating he planned to "...somehow lead men and women to the high mountain of peace and salvation."(Phillips, 1998). He made himself more visible and more accessible to the public by joining social outlets. Martin Luther King, Jr's.actions spurred peaceful protest around the country, which culminated with over 250,000 people participation in the March on Washington where he delivered his most famed speech "I Have a Dream" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (Phillips, 1988). Martin Luther King, Jr. impacted the United States by re-writing history, through his extroverted personality trait. With Martin Luther King, Jr. being assertive in his action and in his words, becoming very active in his community, and being a positive leader he brought about positive change. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of faith and having this faith instilled in him is what directed the above
qualities that he possessed. In the end, it will be your character that determines if you will be a a great leader or a Great Leader.