Communication and leadership styles - Essay Example

Communication and Leadership Styles Communication and Leadership Styles Identified Leader: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi The leader identified to exemplify the ability to convey in his leadership style, logos, pathos and ethos is Mohandras Karamchand Gandhi. He is deemed to manifest a transformational leadership style that enabled him to advocate non-violence to adhere to equality in civil rights. He was able to connect the rhetorical styles of ethos, logos and pathos in his quest to employ “non-cooperation, non-violence and peaceful resistance as his "weapons" in the struggle against the British” (Leadership With You, 2011).

Through his leadership traits and characteristics that focus on his charisma, innate theoretical background as a law major on human rights, and virtues such as integrity, courage, faith, perseverance and service to his people. As revealed, the most famous protest led by him was the Salt March that proved his leadership skills in enjoining the participation of followers for an identified purpose and vision.Through his character (ethos), Gandhi was able to move and transform people by touching on their emotions (pathos) and by rationalizing through logical reasoning (logos).

The Salt March enabled Gandhi to achieve his objective and paved the way for the British government to negotiate with him and eventually freed India from their bondage (Leadership With You, 2011). The only advice one could give Gandhi was to congratulate and commend him for an endeavor well done. His leadership inspired future leaders and was instrumental in contributing towards the independence of their nation. Three Speeches After listening to the speech of Steve Jobs at Stanford University (Jobs, 2005), his lessons included connecting the dots (or seeing meaning in failures and trials); loving and losing; embracing death as a transition in life and staying hungry and foolish.

As to Dalton Sherman’s keynote speech at Dallas Independent School District (YouTube, 2008), his message focused on believing in oneself and in colleagues as enhancing one’s ability to succeed. There is another speech made by J.K. Rowling at the 2008 Harvard Commencement event that focused on The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and The Importance of Imagination” (Rowling, 2008). She provided a relevant lesson that “Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone’s total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes” (Rowling, 2008, p. 1). The three speeches were effective in eliciting emotional appeal on the audience using rhetorical elements of ethos, pathos and logos; as well as provoking encouragement to go beyond failure and challenges in life.

The ten year old boy has the least appeal in terms of character since he was not a famous celebrity; but his ability to communicate a message effectively covered for the ineptness. Further, since he was only 10 years old, he still lacked the experience to give wider advice to the audience and therefore, limited his speech on highlighting the need to believe in oneself and the importance of support systems (other people believing in the capabilities of children). It was actually appropriate for the back to school occasion.

Both Steve Jobs and J.K. Rowling were known personalities who have succeeded in their respective fields of endeavor. Their presence alone and their achievements provided inspirations and appeal to the audience.Learning from Class One realized the crucial role of both communication and leadership skills in one’s quest to achieve. Through the course module, the writing exercises and lessons that focus on honing communication skills and leadership styles were instrumental in recognizing one’s strengths in these areas and those weaknesses that need to be improved.

Also, through this particular activity, one learned the value of not being afraid of failure - as advised, experienced, and embodied in the lives of famous personalities such as Steve Jobs and J.K. Rowling – who were not afraid to have failed and yet; became the impetus for their phenomenal success.ReferencesJobs, S. (2005). Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement Address . Retrieved December 12, 2011, from Stanford University: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLcLeadership With You. (2011).

Mohandas Gandhi. Retrieved December 12, 2011, from http://www.leadership-with-you.com/gandhi-leadership.htmlRowling, J. (2008). The Finge Benefit of Failure, and The Importance of Imagination. Retrieved December 12, 2011, from Harvard Magazine: http://harvardmagazine.com/2008/06/the-fringe-benefits-failure-the-importance-imaginationYouTube. (2008, September 19). 10 year old intellect, Dalton Shermans keynote speech . Retrieved December 12, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZm0BfXYvFg