George Washington Leadership - Research Paper Example

Education: Leadership George Washington George Washington was born and brought up in Westmoreland, Virginia on 22 February 1732.George Washington was the eldest of 6 siblings from his father’s 2nd marriage and lived at Wakefield plantation until he was 16.He had a rudimentary form of education mostly acquired from tutors although probably also attained from private schooling. Washington also learnt surveying and after losing his father at the age of 11, Lawrence his half-brother who had been an officer at the Royal Navy, mentored him. Because of this, Washington, acquired a desire of pursuing a career in the Navy, however his mother was not of the opinion and discouraged him. When in 1748, and aged 16, Washington enrolled with a surveying party on a mission organized by a land baron known as Lord Fairfax to the Shenandoah Valley. This would see him for the subsequent few years conduct surveys in Virginia as well as present day West Virginia making him gain a lifetime concern in the West. He would later in 1751-1752, for health reasons, make a visit to Barbados, West Indies accompanied by his brother Lawrence just before he died. The following year saw Washington start his career as a major in military when he was appointed by the royal governor to an adjutantship in the militia. The same year, Washington accompanied by a guide, journeyed to Fort Le Boeuf, within Ohio River Valley as an emissary of the governor to deliver to French ruling elite an ultimatum to stop settlement as well as reinforcement in English territory. While on trip, Washington attempted to improve British relations with different Indian tribes. He would in 1754 win the title of lieutenant colonel then later colonel in the militia. He then guided a force that attempted to challenge French authority over Ohio River Valley, however, he faced defeat at Fort Necessity, PA-an incident that assisted in triggering the Indian and French War(1754-63).Washington ,later in 1754,annoyed by the demotion of his title due to forthcoming coming of British regulars resigned his commission. He would that same year lease Mount Vernon, which he have inherited in 1761(Ellis, 2008). This is just but a brief introduction of what kind of a leader Washington was. Washington would later emerge as one of the most significant leaders in the history of the founding of USA, even to the degree of being referred to as the Founding Father of America. One of the contributory factors that made Washington a great leader was the fact that he worked as well as lived with brilliant thinkers, philosophers, organizers, writers as well as orators such as Mason, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, the Lees ,the Randolphs to name but a few(Beck, 2011). All these individuals were far much better learned than Washington himself. However, despite his little schooling, Washington was indispensable and was present at 3 key functions in the formation of America as a nation. These were the Revolution, Constitutional Convention as well as the choosing of the 1st president and for every position; Washington was selected as the leader. In his hey days, Washington was seen as the American Moses and the Father of the Nation (Stazesky, 2000). There are several factors that have been raised regarding why Washington was chosen at almost every occasion that he attended as a leader. Washington was chosen because of several strategically significant reasons; his presence and physical size, energy, charisma, courage, charm, multi-faceted experiences, temperament, character, his being a Virginian, ambition, wealth, reputation as a strong patriot, particularly following the revolution, the admiration, affection and the regard for general public at all stages of the social order. However, the most frequently cited trait that his given for his surfacing as a utmost leader was his character in addition to intelligence as well as ideas. Whereas Washington was thus on most occasions chosen due to his strong moral character in addition to his genius in leadership. He was trusted because he had exhibited an incorruptible and noble character that had made him come out and distinguished him as an outstanding leader. Washington’s style of leadership can be termed as visionary. Washington had a vision for America’s future, developed an effective framework for the same as well as interacting and attracting others to endeavor for the accomplishment of his vision such that everybody is included in the shared vision. Washington thus demonstrated qualities of a visionary as well as the moral and intellectual capability, over a prolonged period of time as well as in the process of multiple difficulties, maintained coherency involving long range perceptions and objectives in addition to short term activities. That is why it can be said that Washington was America’s ultimate genius in leadership as well as the founding father of America. He played several roles as commander in chief of the Continental Army during Revolution ,president of the Constitutional Convention in addition to becoming the first ever president of the free USA(Stazesky, 2000). Some of the strengths of Washington as a leader include the fact that he was persistence. Thus a lesser being would have submitted themselves to ignominy and failure after the awful defeat at Fort Necessity. Washington painstakingly and politically schemed his return to the war as General Braddock’s personnel, an opportunity he exploited to redeem himself and showcase the biggest aspect of his leadership. Washington was also an incredibly brave leader. He on several instances exposed himself to threats and at one instance he even charged his horse in the middle of his juniors who were erroneously firing cascades at each other. Washington was also a very tough leader who from a very early age exhibited rugged frontiersmanship, endured adversity on the frontier in addition to surviving many health challenges that included a main bout with dysentery. Lastly Washington was also organized as a leader and after Braddock’s defeat, he was sent to western Virginia to defend fellow countrymen from attacks by the Indians. Even though the years were wearisome, Washington daily contended on a frequent basis with such issues as morale, supplies, discipline as well as communication. Washington therefore developed vital experience in managing and organizing troops under him (Ellis, 2008). However just like every human being, Washington had weaknesses such as his obsession with presidential privileges as well as the decorum of his office and insisted that everyone coming to see him to bow instead of shaking hands. This is the only example of Washington’s aristocratic pompous approach to presidency. Secondly Washington favored Hamilton’s economic policies that stressed unique advantages for the wealthy and well born, leaving out the ordinary artisans and farmers to fend for their own (Ellis, 2008). An attribute that every leader should have is that of being visionary. A visionary leader always has an exceptionally understandable, encompassing as well as far-reaching vision regarding his cause or that of the organization that he leads. Such a vision comprises of goals and ideas which remain steady no matter the length of time it may take to achieve them and in spite of the hardships encountered by the leader. In addition, the leader never permits any of the actions or means along the way to invalidate or violate this vision together with its essential values. A visionary leader is also experienced in the design and creation of an organizational culture in readiness for the accomplishment of the leader’s ideas and vision (Stazesky, 2000). An organizational culture such as that may actually be the most vital enduring contribution by the leader since it comprises of lasting vision, values as well as beliefs mutually shared by organization members. Lastly, a visionary is an individual capable of attracting others to follow him/her in their quest for vision attainment. Furthermore, such a captivating individual is capable of instilling in others beliefs, values and ideas of the vision so as to empower them to march beyond not only the leader’s but also their own anticipations (Stazesky, 2000). One specific event during which Washington demonstrated leadership was when on 15th June 1775, he was elected unanimously as the commander of all continental forces. His commission on 19th June 1775 elected him as the “General and Commander in Chief of the United Colonies. On receiving it on 20th, he set off for Boston on the next day, 21st.There are many factors that led to him being selected. First and foremost was his character which the delegates knew could be trusted; he was also most popular military individual in the colonies, him being a Southerner whom they also saw as being capable of uniting all the forces in the colonies. Being a wealthy man, Washington could not easily be corrupted and was also known to be fearless competent and determined leader (Stazesky, 2000). Another instance when Washington’s leadership capability was demonstrated was when the battle approached its last years. As their commander, Washington had to contend with a lot of fatigue especially in the titles of his army. Not only did underpayment (if any at all) as well as poor supplies take a heavy toll on his troops’ morale but also created treacherous situations of conflict and turmoil. However, Washington’s moral strength, charismatic presence as well as political manipulation prevented the Continental Army from revolting against the feeble civilian government in addition to the Revolution disintegrating into civil conflict. When the war was finally over, Washington was called upon as the head of Constitutional Convention; his presence was clearly indispensable to the ratification of the document. As US president, Washington steered the nascent nation via turbulent waters, thus positioning America effectively to become the world’s superpower. Clearly Washington’s determination, vision and persistence paid off; creating one of the most powerful countries in the world (Beck, 2011). References Glenn, B. (2011). Being George Washington:The Indispensable Man,As Youve Never Seen him. New York,NY: Mercury Radio Arts Inc. Joseph, E. (2008). His Excellency:George Washington. New York,NY: Paw Prints. Richard, S. (2000, February 22nd ). George Washington,Genius in Leadership. The Papers of George Washington , p. np. Read More