• 1.2: Great Leaders

    • Thousands of leaders have graced the pages of history, and there are many more who may have crossed your own path in life. Certainly, no two leaders are exactly alike. The four leaders discussed below are well known, but they are four very different people who lived in different times and circumstances. Each has approached their role as a leader based on their personality and developed a leadership style that suited their situation. Each has been effective in his own way. While well-known and often discussed in the business world, the examples below are not the only successful leaders; certainly, others will come to mind as you read the leadership bios below. As you learn about these famous leaders, consider which of Lewin's leadership styles each leader exemplifies. You may also want to keep a running journal of their similarities and differences.

    • Power and Politics URL

      Read this chapter. If you have not yet seen Jobs' remarkable commencement address to Stanford University grads in 2005, do so now. It's an unforgettable speech. Be sure to answer the five discussion questions at the end of this short section. Last, imagine yourself as an employee at Jobs' Apple. Would you like it? Why or why not?

    • Nelson Mandela: A Leader's Guide Page

      After you read this article, see what other documentary footage you can find about Mandela's struggle and activism in apartheid-era South Africa.

    • Teddy Roosevelt: The Rough Rider in the White House Page

      After you read this article, compare Teddy Roosevelt to leaders of today. It is unlikely that a person like Teddy Roosevelt would be elected present today. How has the image of a politician in the national spotlight changed since Roosevelt's time? How is it the same? Record some observations about how presidents' leadership has changed over time in your journal.

    • The Politics of Progressivism: Leaders of the Progressive Era Page

      Read this article describes some of Teddy Roosevelt's contemporaries. In your journal, offer suggestions for at least three more leaders who you believe also reflect the traits of those profiled in this article and explain why.

    • Vince Lombardi as a Strategic Leader File

      Review this article and discuss whether or not Lombardi's leadership style would work in a modern organization.