Achievements of Nelson Mandela in Transforming South Africa

Famous Leader Analysis: Nelson Mandela
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Table of Contents
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1.0 Introduction  PAGEREF _Toc19246988 \h
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2.0 The Social Context of Nelson Mandela  PAGEREF _Toc19246989 \h
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3.0 Transformational Leadership Theory  PAGEREF _Toc19246990 \h
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4.0 Mandela’s Style of Leadership from the Perspective of Transformational Leadership Theory  PAGEREF _Toc19246991 \h
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5.0 Conclusion  PAGEREF _Toc19246992 \h
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Reference List  PAGEREF _Toc19246993 \h
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Famous Leader Analysis: Nelson Mandela
1.0 Introduction
Researchers have formulated different theories to explain the various leadership styles that leaders adopt in different settings. Among the questions that have often emerged in the leadership discourse is whether great leaders are born or made. In other words, researchers have attempted to explain the role of genetics and environment in shaping traits that facilitate effective leadership. While some authors have reiterated that good leaders only emerge through the continuous process of experience, training, and self-study, others believe that such leaders are born with innate abilities. Despite the different opinions on this issue, researchers have generally agreed that great leaders such as Lech Walesa, Mother Theresa, and Nelson Mandela possess certain personality traits: personal integrity, determination, diplomacy, creativity, and emotional stability. Besides, such leaders display intellectual abilities in judgment and verbal communication. Transformational leadership theory is among the most widely studied theories of leadership and its wide scope best explains the relationship between leader traits and skills, situational variables, and performance outcomes. This essay examines one of the most remarkable leaders of our time, that is, Nelson Mandela from the perspective of transformational leadership theory to understand why he was successful enough to become famous. In the process, the essay will highlight Mandela’s leadership through the four elements of transformational leadership theory: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual simulation, and individualized consideration.
2.0 The Social Context of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was born at the end of World War I in 1918. His parents were Hendry Mandela and Fanny Nosekeni. Although Mandela’s father was in the lineage of Thembu kings and was a tribal counselor, Mandela would not become king because he descended from the “Left Hand” section of the dynasty (Crompton 2013). However, there was hope that he might follow his father’s footsteps to become a tribal counselor. As a small boy, Mandela experienced the cruelty of the British rule in his place of birth (Qunu district) when his family lost half of their wealth after his father was stripped of his privileges as the tribal counselor for defying a British official (Crompton 2013). Nevertheless, Mandela was bo...