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336 BCE
Alexander the Great (Classic Period)
336-323 BC
Mentored by Aristotle
Background in philosophy, medicine, and science
Very versatile by adapting to new challenges of warfare
Dynamic personality that made others follow which allowed him to take over new territories
Needed an upper hand on his opponents, so he used a well rounded executive team to build up their organizations.
"He maintained the loyalty of his men, who followed him"(Walbank, 2024).
His grand vision and ability to accomplish most of it was why I chose him -
1206
Genghis Khan (Middle Ages)
Famous conqueror whose empire stretched across Asia
Started from humble beginnings and witnessed his people being oppressed by other tribes. This motivated him to make a change.
He was attractive to other because of his overpowering personality and use of force.
Conquered much of Asia with brutality
Proved that tenacity and willpower could bring success
"Organization, discipline, mobility, and ruthlessness of purpose were the fundamental factors in his military successes"(Bawden, 2024). -
1517
Martin Luther (Renaissance)
Martin Luther was a German theologian
"His beliefs helped birth the Reformation-which would give rise to Protestantism" (Hillerbrand, 2024).
Changed his graduate studies from law to theology after a near death experience
Identified a need for change, or reformation, to the Catholic Church by writing the 95 Theses
He did not agree with the wealth amassed by certain individuals
This lead to the birth of Protestant beliefs
Martin Luther's stand for change against corruption was why I chose him -
John Locke (Enlightenment)
"John Locke was an English philosopher and political theorist" (Rogers, 2024).
John Locke saw a need for change in the ever developing powers of Kings
Kings were believed to have divine rights while John Locke argued that "all persons are endowed with natural rights to life, liberty, and property and that rulers who fail to protect those rights may be removed by the people" (Rogers, 2024).
These political theories helped create the foundation of the government we know in the United States today -
Teddy Roosevelt (Progressive)
Teddy Roosevelt is a former President of the United States where he helped "expand the powers of the presidency" (Cooper, 2024).
Teddy Roosevelt wanted to change politics and stand up to those who were corrupt
President Roosevelt believed in a strong person in the presidency which was different than the "passive Jeffersonian tradition." (Cooper, 2024).
I chose President Roosevelt due to his ability to be strong but also have a soft spoken diplomacy in order to get the job done -
Mahatma Gandhi (Modern)
Mahatma Gandhi believed in the right to peacefully protest
Gandhi saw that Indians should not have been second citizens during British rule of their country
Gandhi's nonviolent protest eventually helped lead to the end of the British regime in India
"Activist such as Martin Luther King, Jr. borrowed heavily from Gandhi's practice of nonviolence and civil disobedience to achieve social equality" (Nanda, 2024).
I chose Gandhi due to his ability to change thought processes without violence. -
George W. Bush (Post-Modern)
George W. Bush spent time as the Governor of Texas and eventually became the President of the United States
President Bush was most famously in office during the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in New York
"Domestic security and the threat of terrorism became the chief focus of the Bush administration" (Duignan, 2024).
Swift action and leading from the front from President Bush to unite the country during this changing time
Although many controversies followed, I chose him because the impact of 9/11 -
Changes that will drive leadership through the year 2035
The ability to connect to more diverse groups
- The migration of people all over the world is changing demographics in all areas. The ability to communicate with more diverse groups will be critical
Leaders will need to be able to be the connective tissue in a divided society
- We are divided as ever in our country and the success of organizations will lie on the shoulders of leadership and their ability to connect groups that are already divided -
Changes that will drive future leadership in 2050
I believe leaders will be navigating new forms of communication due to ever evolving technology. Technology has proven that face-to-face communication is being used less and communication through new forms of technology is preferred. Maintaining and teaching the importance of basic human interaction will be essential to continuing to build relationships in a world of more diverse communication.