Preview

Martin Luter King Jr

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2205 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Martin Luter King Jr
A Leader of Respect:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Submitted By: Lorianne Fedée
Submitted To: Blake Lambert
Course Code: AHSS 2310 - 01
Due Date: Thursday, March 15th, 2012
A Leader of Respect:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

There are various leadership traits and behaviors which make up an individual’s definition of an ideal leader. While some leaders may often possess similar leadership traits and behaviors, they do not necessarily acquire equal acceptance and likeability, thus, affecting how they are perceived by others and the level of respect and admiration they may receive. Personally, a leader of great respect is one who exemplifies the definition of leadership while maintaining inspiration and a positive moral development. Leadership is defined as the influencing process of leaders and followers to achieve organizational objectives through change (Lussier & Achua, 2010). A leader who could be argued to have achieved such a role is that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a product and an exemplar of black culture and tradition, and his vision gradually transcended southern particularism to assume national and international implications (Baldwin, 1992). Not only did Dr. King demonstrate the five key elements of leadership – influence, organizational objectives, leaders-followers, people, and change (Lussier & Achua, 2010) – throughout his American Civil Rights movement of thirteen years, until his assassination, but he had successfully done so while maintaining a charismatic and ethical style and behavior of leadership. Throughout the remainder of this essay, the movement of Dr. King will be discussed, as well, the traits and behaviors in which he displayed throughout his movement will be analyzed following the analysis of pertinent leadership theories.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man who possessed great courage for his moral commitment and determination to achieve social justice for the African-American community. Dr. King made use



Bibliography: Aronson, E. (2001). Integrating Leadership Styles and Ethical Perspectives. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 18(4), 244-256. Baldwin, L., V. (1992). To Make the Wounded Whole: The Cultural Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr Caldwell, C. & Jeane, L. (2007). Ethical Leadership and Building Trust – Raising the Bar for Business Carson, C. (1998). The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York, NY: Warner Books, Inc Conger, J., A. & Kanungo, R., N. (1987). Toward a Behavioral Theory of Charismatic Leadership in Organizational Settings House, R., J. & Howell, J., M. (1992). Personality and Charismatic Leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 3(2), 81-108. Howell, J., M. & Shamir, B. (2005). The Role of Followers in the Charismatic Leadership Process: Relationships and their Consequences Kohlberg, L. (1971). Stages of Moral Development. Stages of Moral Development According to Kohlberg. King, C., S. & Washington, J., M. (1992). I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World King, M., L. (1958). Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story. Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press Kirkpatrick, S., A. & Locke, E., A. (1996). Direct and Indirect Effects of Three Core Charismatic Leadership Components on Performance and Attitudes Kumar, S. & Whitefield, F. (2006). Visionaries: The 20th Century’s 100 Most Important Inspirational Leaders Leventhal, G., S. (1976). What Should be Done with Equity Theory? New Approaches to the Study of Fairness in Social Relationships Locke, E., A, & Latham, G., P. (2006). New Directions in Goal-Setting Theory. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(5), 265-268. Lussier, R., N. & Achua, C., F. (2010). Leadership: Theory, Application, & Skill Development. 4th ed

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Bennett J GB600 unit2

    • 883 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Leadership can be defined as a process of guiding individuals, groups, or an organization to develop common goals and to create procedures to achieve the goals. A leader is a strong individual who can lead a group of people by their own strengths and also allow them to fine tune their opportunities, all without them knowing they are being lead. A leader is chosen either by promotion; by proving their talent is more measurable than their peers or with their exhibit of special leadership traits. There are many ways to define a leader, but in this paper, one will try to define and clarify charismatic leadership.…

    • 883 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most acclaimed leaders of the civil rights movement. He became one of the leading speakers of the civil rights movement and his leadership helped make the civil rights movement a success. His efforts helped bring an end to legal segregation and led to the creation of many laws guaranteeing civil rights for all. King first became well known when he presented a guest lecture for the NAACP and E.D. Nixon heard his lecture. Nixon was so impressed with King’s speaking abilities, that he decided to help King become the head of the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA).…

    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have A Dream speech and John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address both represent turning points in American history. Both speakers address America with views of change, growth, and hope for more positive and enlightened futures. Furthermore, the speakers use their platforms to their advantage, and use pathos to emotionally attract the support of their audiences.…

    • 356 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To begin with Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader. For example,“Dr. King was a visionary” (source A). Also, he was a man who had a dream bigger than the times in which he lived. he lead people far beyond hatred and treason, but to place of love and respect for themselves and others. MLK brought courage to all the people in alabama, so that they could join him in a rescue mission for greatness. “ He was a man who had a dream…

    • 385 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Although there are many great leaders that exist in our modern society, one of the greatest leaders has to be Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist who led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s. During this time, he lived out a covenant relationship with the people that he led even in times of distress. Throughout his protests to abolish segregation and gain equality among all races, he was faced with a wide array of adversities as many attempted to limit his influence. However, Martin Luther King Jr. displayed resilience in the face of these adversities and overcame these challenges to live out a covenant relationship with those he led.…

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Thesis: Martin Luther King commitment to economic and social justice went beyond the reflection and dived in the arena of active life. His ethical religious background helped shape his though on civil disobedience for the betterment of minorities. Martins legacy of civil disobedience was rooted in his refusal to separate religious faith and moral considerations from politics, legal matters, and social reform. His actions transcended the boundaries of law, politics, and religion, and composed his academic teachings with those god.…

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” was addressed to eight clergymen after being arrested during his non-violent protest. Without a strong rhetorical focus, the effect of this speech might not have been so impactful. Martin Luther King uses iconic, biblical, and classical references to support his point. He uses rhetorical strategies and…

    • 378 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Martin Luther King Jr. was a truly dynamic person in his short but eventful and important lifetime. He was responsible of the eventual equality of all races, and set a good example in his protests, but he was not always that way. Martin Luther King Jr. was influenced by his father, his religion, and a person that lived in India halfway across the world. These people shaped Martin’s attitude, perspective, actions, and protests. One thing was for sure, King was not born understanding all that he did once he had shaped the country of America for the better. His influences made him careful, kind, respectful, intelligent, and well gathered. Even as a highly famous and respected person, King also had to change.…

    • 1393 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    quiz week 1

    • 340 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A theory that explains the most effective pattern of leadership behavior in a specified situation is best classified as…

    • 340 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Walter, F & Bruch, H 2007,"Chapter 3 Investigating the Emotional Basis of Charismatic Leadership: The Role of Leaders ' Positive Mood and Emotional Intelligence", Charmine E.J. Härtel, Neal M. Ashkanasy, Wilfred J. Zerbe, in…

    • 2174 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Birmingham Jail

    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), was one of the most influential and memorable of that of the civil rights movement. Being a well-educated black christian he appealed to many people of many demographics throughout America. Aside from this, he was highly persuasive, and properly motivated to lead the movement that helped form this country into what it is today. In his letter From a Birmingham jail to his fellow clergymen, he answers questions to clergymen about his actions and views on the civil rights movement. MLK’s strong, leading tone tells readers that MLK knows what he is seeking, and how he will reach that goal, and why it works in interest to the Clergymen. He uses high vocabulary terms…

    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man who faced prejudice, segregation, and police brutality during the Civil Rights Movement in the middle of the 20th Century. Depending on what “color” you were, you either saw Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a hero, or a public nuisance. He was a powerful speaker that was able to use his abilities to gain a following, and was able to stage peaceful protests in the name of equality.…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Famous Thinkers

    • 1418 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was famous for his “I had a dream” speech, which was given in 1963 during the ‘Freedom Walk in Detroit” (Brown, 2012). He was a contributor to pushing the Civil Rights Act, in which, Dr. Martin Luther King attended the signing ceremony of the bill in 1964 (Burro Jr., 2002). He was a person who believed in freedom of all people regardless of race or color of their skin. He was passionate about what he believed in and used god as a tool to guide him through the road that he walked. Martin Luther King Jr., not only a spiritual man but also one that would leave a legacy in history.…

    • 1418 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Martin Luther King

    • 3785 Words
    • 16 Pages

    Martin Luther King is the most important member of the Civil Rights movement of the 20th century. There has never been, nor will there ever be, one who is able to best the accomplishments which King achieved, as well as the inspiration which he motivated within millions of Americans, both who had been oppressed and those who felt the apathy for the oppressed, yet had never been inspired to act on their convictions. Martin Luther King brought these two people together in record numbers and in a way never seen before or since and incited within them, the desire to change the culture in which they lived and been affected by, for too long.…

    • 3785 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Teacher

    • 773 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Along with the assessment results, the Wiley Schermerhorn tool was able to provide a summarized interpretation of what the scored results represented. According to the scores from the 21st Century Manager domain, it determined that the score of 8.5 is a good starting point as I consider where and how to further pursue the development of your management skills and competencies. My success will rest on (1) an initial awareness of the importance of these basic management foundations and (2) a willingness to strive continually to strengthen them throughout the work career.…

    • 773 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays

Related Topics