When I first began looking at this task I thought of several leaders from a historical perspective such as Alexander the Great. Then I thought of people I had observed in endeavors in the fields of art, music, etc. But what resonated with me was the idea that vision and values are critical components that make one a true leader.
With that mindset, Martin Luther King, Jr. immediately rose to the top of my list. His ability to create a powerful view of the future and surface the necessary values to make the vision come alive, cemented him as my choice. His “I Have a Dream” speech created a very vivid view of what we as a nation and people could become. Kotter (1996) states, “That a shared sense of a desirable future can help motivate and coordinate the kinds of actions that create transformations.” Regarding the injustices committed in South Africa, theologian Robert Schreiter (1992) writes that individuals cannot survive without a narrative identity. Only by overcoming the narrative of the lie and embracing a redeeming narrative can victims overcome suffering. Lyn Graybill (1998) similarly compares Nelson Mandela’s insight into the capacity of grace to transform people and nations.
Dr. Martin Luther King rose to the top of those who exemplified the qualities of leadership, particularly identified by Kotter (1996) and Fullan (2008). As a teenager in the mid-sixties, my awareness of the social conditions of African-Americans was brought about because of the attention that Dr. King was receiving in the newspapers and on television. Dr. King, born January 15, 1929, became the cornerstone of the American Civil Rights movement. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from that city’s Morehouse College. He received his doctorate from Boston University in 1955.
Soon after completing his education, he became very active in the civil rights movement. He was greatly influenced by the teachings of Gandhi and his focus on non-violent approaches to solving complex social issues. He was also influenced by Bayard Rustin, another disciple of Gandhi, who counseled Dr. King in dedicating himself to the values found in non-violent behavior. This strong belief became the mainstay of his philosophical underpinning for all his future endeavors. These endeavors included the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955) culminating with the 1963 March on Washington where he delivered one of the most famous speeches, “I Have a Dream.” In 1964 he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to bring about an end to discrimination in America. He was the youngest person at age 35 to receive this prize. On April 4, 1968 Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
Reference:
Nobel Foundation. (n.d.). Martin Luther King Jr. Retrieved February 15,2009, from http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html.
The King Center. (n.d.). Biographical Outline of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from http://www.thekingcenter.org/mlk/bio.html.
Kotter, J.P. (1996). Leading change. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business School Press.
Fullan, M. (2008). The six secrets of change: What the best leaders do to help their organizations survive and thrive. San Francisco, California: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Shreiter, R. (1992). Reconciliation: mission and ministry in a changing social order. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis.
Graybill, L. S (1998). South Africa’s truth and reconciliation commission: ethical and theological perspectives. Ethics and International Affairs, 12, 43-62.
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Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King served as a national leader for individuals who value equality of rights for all people. You note that a true leader needs to have vision and values. His work and life clearly demonstrates both of these qualities. He also worked as an agent of change and it would have been interesting for him to have been part of the last election. How tragic that his life was cut short by an assassin.
Randy Pausch also served as an agent for change. He had multiple goals for his presentation, the Last Lecture. The primary goal was leave a lasting message for his young children. He also wanted to teach others how to achieve their dreams and goals. He described it in simple and clear examples. Dr. King did the same in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Hello Dawn,
ReplyDeleteDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was actually a choice for me also; I finally decided on Jung Chang because she is far lesser known. I admire Dr. King mostly because his leadership was not one that he sought; he was chosen by others and agreed to this awesome task of civil rights. I, like you, do remember reading and seeing on television his speeches as well as other stories reported by the media at this time on this topic. Although his "I Have a Dream" speech is by far the best known, his letter from a jail in Birmingham gives us insight into his struggles and doubts as a leader; ultimately, we know the leader he became. A little known cantata was composed using this text.
I do not think young African-Americans today know this history; they do not appreciate the struggles of this movement and those of the generation involved. I hope we never lose sight of his dream. If you want an excellent source of his life try the book, Bearing the Cross by David J. Garrow. I consider this biography the best documented source of King's life.
Martin Luther King Jr. used his leadership role to create change in others. By conveying strong messages to the public, leaders can motivate others to make a difference. He was able to display his vision through his “I Have a Dream” speech. We need leaders to share their vision with us. I think my chosen leader, Oprah Winfrey, has been able to use her role in the media to create change, just as Martin Luther King Jr. had been able to in the past. Oprah views Martin Luther King as one of her own role models.
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