Example Of Essay On Characteristics Of Great Leadership As Seen Through Three Historical Leaders

Good leaders are as rare as precious stones because not everyone who leads is a good leader (Stanfield 49). There have been significant historical figures that have left a mark in the world simply because of their leadership styles that define them as great leaders that are worth emulating. Great leadership is often gauged by the legacy left behind by a leader (Daft xiib). Some of the leaders worth mentioning in this category are Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth I as well as Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. In their distinct ways, these three leaders exhibited characteristics of great leadership in a number of ways. Great leadership is indeed an art spoken and understood only by the heart, mind and soul, but seen in the physical world in actions that change the destiny of a people and the wider society.
Suleiman the Magnificent was an aggressive leader of the Ottoman Empire, and it is under his leadership that the empire became most successful. Under him, his empire grew tenfold and conquered its enemies to gain too much wealth, success and glory. His good leadership skills went beyond wars and into other routine activities that sought to empower all the people (Simmons 5). It is not surprising that everyone had a reason to work hard at what they did because that is only possible when the leadership of a country, state or empire is very good. Aside from the physical and geographical success, Istanbul became a renowned cultural center, and that speaks volumes of a leader who was interested in making his people and empire respectable and influential.
So much has been said about Nelson Mandela, but one thing that stands out about him is his level of tolerance, and interests in seeing a United South Africa where all humanity is equal. It needs to be remembered that South Africa was a highly segregated country due to the Apartheid system that made black South Africans inferior to their white counterparts. As a great leader, Mandela “used every opportunity he had to speak out against white dominance” (Davon 4) for the good of his fellow blacks. His life was dedicated towards that struggle, and it is not surprising that he had to spend several years in Robben Island prison for what he believed was right. In his infamous speech, Mandela reiterated that he was keen on seeing a country that he was ready to die for the black freedom.
Queen Elizabeth I is also remembered in the journals of history as Britain’s greatest queen and leader for a number of reasons. She is considered the greatest monarch of England courtesy of her efforts to increase the literacy levels of her people because it is during her reign as queen that Britain witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of poets and playwrights (Curtis Para. 3). Aside from that, England was able to expand overseas. She is one of the greatest rulers to have led England and was immensely loved by her people. She exhibited good leadership characteristics that saw her country become very successful in many aspects.
Going to the examples of these three leaders, it becomes evident that great leadership rests on a good leader who can help those that they lead in achieving certain things in life (Daft 36a). That touches on positively impacting the lives of those they lead and leaving a lasting mark that will set them aside from the rest of the population. These three leaders existed in three different eras and their ways helped propel their people to great success and thus, made their lives better. Good leaders should leave behind a legacy that will go beyond them, for the good of those that they lead.

Works Cited

Curtis, A. Accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth I. PDF File
Daft, Richard a. Management. Belmont: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print
Daft, Richard b. The Leadership Experience. Belmont: Cengage Learning, 2014. Print
Davon, Matt. Nelson Mandela Inaugurated President of South Africa. PDF File
Simmons, Jane. Biography: Suleiman the Magnificent. PDF File
Stainfield, Alan W. Defining Effective Leadership: Lead in Whatever You Do. Mustang: Tate Publishing, 2009. Print