Qualities of a True Leader - Essay Example

When challenges have to be faced and difficult decisions have to be made, a person with genuine leadership skills ensures that the whole team survives and not just himself or a select few. 

A true leader is able to motivate the members of his group to not give up during tribulations.  He drives them to keep on believing in the power of teamwork and realize that aims and aspirations are better attained when people cooperate.  Amidst hard times, a good leader is able to think and act strategically in order for the team to fight and in the end prevail.

Leadership is about sacrifice and selflessness.  It is not about abusing power or position so as to promote self-interest.  Rather, it is about putting other people’s welfare on top of one’s own since this bodes well for the future of the entire team.  This means that leaders think and even care more about their constituents or subordinates than themselves.

For me, these qualities are best exemplified by Martin Luther King, Jr., the legendary leader of the black people’s movement.  Prior to his ascension as a great civic leader, King witnessed and experienced the injustices towards the black minority.  Rules on separating white people from people of color were being implemented in education, transportation, and other public facilities.  This made the black minority second-class citizens.  In this regard, he valiantly fought for equal rights and racial integration.

Through his powerful words, he was able to unite the black people in the United States and at the same time be admired by white people for his stance.  Through his leadership, myriad demonstrations and protest rallies to announce their objections across the country took place.  He made his voice heard and many heeded his call. 

He was able to open his fellowmen’s eyes that black people deserve more than what they were getting then and that something could be done about their condition.  Despite evident opposition regarding his action, the movement met during these rallies.  They remained fervent to their cause - all because of a great leader fuelling their desire for equal rights.

After his assassination, King’s ideology lived on.  His spirit as a great leader outlived his physical body, thus, the black minority’s fight continued.  They all believed in King’s dream and not long after their violent struggles they were able to achieve their goal.  With this, King’s type of leadership immortalized him.  Hitherto, he remains one of the most admired leaders of modern times.