Leadership

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Leadership
A leader is known as a person in charge. That person must appeal to the people and make
just decisions. If he or she disobeys and does as they please, a revolution can occur. Bringing all
the books we have read over the school year, the books have taught us what the characteristics of
good and bad leaders. A favorable leader needs the qualities of being feared over loved, caring,
active, and popular among the people.
Fear is the trickery of the mind. Leaders can use this to their advantage when ruling
because it will suppress the opponents and keep the country in line. As stated in Machiavellis
The Prince, it is far safer to be feared than loved (Source A). What this statement means that if
the leader is loved, he or she is more likely to trust everyone. This is bad because the leader can
be easily overthrown or put down, for he or she is unsuspecting of it to happen. Fear will keep
the country sharp and on its toes, making it easy to rule. Another thing mentioned by Machiavelli
was cruelty. He states that cruelty is another useful tool for leaders. Cruelty can bring order and
obedience (Source A). While a leader should not always become cruel, but if they do, they risk
an overthrow. This applies for new born countries especially because the country does not yet
trust their ruler.
Aside from being feared, the leaders also need to care for their subjects. In Animal Farm,
by George Orwell, the farms leader, Mr. Jones, is corrupt and uncaring for the animals. His
[] fields were full of weeds, [] the hedges were neglected, and the animals were underfed
(Source C). This excerpt proves that Mr. Jones was uncaring and did not think of his subjects.
His poor actions led the animals to revolt and kick him out of the farm. Also in the book, Orwell
says that Mr. Jones had become much disheartened after losing money in a lawsuit (Source C).
No matter what has occurred in the country, whether a depression or war, the leader must

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continue to set an example. They should keep moving forward and put the bad events behind him
or her. This will make the country respect their leader more.
Bold actions taken by leaders show the people that their leader is capable of ruling
effectively and confidently. In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, the boys encounter this
problem when Ralph become chief, or leader. Jack argues and says, He just gives orders and
expects people to obey for nothing (Source D). This is problematic for Ralph because then the
boys start to question if he is a good leader. For a leader to stay in power, he or she must
participate in everyday life. If the leader is active, not only in ruling but city life, then the people
feel like the leaders cares for them and is normal like them. After the argument, Jack asks the
little ones if Ralph should remain ruler. When he finishes speaking, there is silence and Jack
becomes flustered (Source D). Because of Ralphs non-participation in the hunts, the boys are
indecisive if he should remain. The other decisive factor is that they do not want Jack as leader
because he is violent and radical. This is why it is important for a leader to participate in
commoner activities.
Leaders usually rise to power by a popular demand. However, Macbeth in The Tragedy of
Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, he becomes ruler by murdering the king. When he becomes
ruler, the public goes quiet. In a scene, Malcolm is speaking to Macduff about their new king,
Macbeth. Malcolm is scared and confused. He says Devilish Macbeth [] hath sought to win
me Into his power [] But God above Deal between thee and me (Source B). Malcolm is
confused on what to do because he knows Macbeth killed to get to his position, and God knows
as well, but Macbeth is trying to win over Malcolm as a friend. An unpopular leader makes the
subjects angry with him or her and does not always trust their decisions. But, if the leader came
to power by popularity, then it becomes rather easy to rule because the people believe in his or

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her decisions. When Malcolm is done speaking, he asks Macduff why he is quiet (Source B). He
responds by saying Tis hard to reconcile (Source B). Macduff is having a hard time
understanding the situation. His insecurity of Macbeth makes him cautious and wary. An
effective leader should become popularized to make it easier to rule and govern. Popularization
would also make the leader feel determined to rule his subjects justly.
Effective leaders have many qualities that make them rational. They have to be feared,
caring, active, and popular. They may not have all these traits, but just containing a few would
make them a great and powerful leader. The leaders subjects also define a great leader. If they
are prosperous and happy, the ruler must be treating them well, but if they are starving and poor,
then the leader may be rash.

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