Assignment 2: A Public Leader Due Week 6 And Worth 200 Point

Assignment 2: A Public Leader Due Week 6 and Worth 200 Points

Based on your response to Question 3 in Assignment 1, use the Internet to research two (2) renowned public leaders—one (1) male and one (1) female—that embody your selected theory(ies) and styles. You may use the Internet and / or Strayer databases to complete any additional research. Note: You may create and / or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.

Use the basic outline below to draft your paper. Organize your responses to each question (except Question 5) under the following section headings:

• Public Leader Overview (Question 1)
• Public Leader Comparison and Contrast (Question 2)
• Public Leader Evaluation & Analysis (Question 3)
• Public Leader Influence (Question 4)
• Conclusion

Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you:

1. Develop a brief overview (i.e., no more than one [1] paragraph for each leader) of the selected leaders and their leadership styles as a public administrator.
2. Compare and contrast the leadership styles of the two (2) selected leaders. (Consider some of the following: Traits that make him / her effective as a leader; whether or not his / her gender impacts his or her ability to lead; supervisors’ and subordinates’ view of him / her as a leader.)
3. Determine three (3) leadership strengths and three (3) leadership weaknesses of each of the selected public leaders. Evaluate the effectiveness of each public leader in terms of each leader’s major successes.
4. Suggest one (1) key strength or weakness that could influence your ability to be a public leader.
5. Include at least five (5) academic references (no more than five [5] years old) from material outside the textbook.

Note: Appropriate academic resources include academic and governmental Websites, scholarly texts, and peer-reviewed articles. Wikipedia, other wikis, and any other websites ending in anything other than “.gov” do not qualify as academic resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Differentiate among the styles of public leadership.
• Determine the role of public leadership in influencing the operations of public organizations and decisions of public administrators.
• Examine the personal aspects of public leadership and professional ethics.
• Assess how to motivate, communicate, implement change, and resolve conflicts as an effective public leader.
• Analyze the concepts of leadership and the qualities, skills, and practices necessary for effective public leadership.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in public leadership and conflict resolution.
• Write clearly and concisely about issues in public leadership and conflict resolution using proper writing mechanics.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected public leaders embody the principles of modern public administration through distinct leadership styles that reflect their personalities, experiences, and contextual environments. For this analysis, I have chosen Franklin D. Roosevelt, a prominent male leader whose leadership was characterized by his adaptive and visionary style, and Rosa Parks, a highly influential female leader exemplifying moral and strategic leadership within the civil rights movement.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, demonstrated transformational leadership rooted in charisma, resilience, and strategic foresight. His leadership style was marked by his ability to communicate effectively with the American people, particularly during the Great Depression and World War II. Roosevelt's leadership was characterized by his proactive approach to policy-making, fostering hope through his Fireside Chats and implementing groundbreaking programs through the New Deal. His traits included resilience, empathy, and strategic vision, which made him an effective leader during times of national crisis. Gender did not significantly impact his leadership, but his charisma and ability to navigate complex political landscapes contributed to his success.

Rosa Parks, on the other hand, epitomized moral and strategic leadership within the civil rights movement. Her refusal to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, became a catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and a symbol of resistance to racial segregation. Parks' leadership style combined moral authority with strategic action, inspiring collective action through nonviolent resistance. Her traits included courage, integrity, and perseverance. As a woman, her leadership challenged gender stereotypes, and her actions demonstrated that effective leadership transcends gender, significantly impacting perceptions of women in leadership roles within social movements.

Comparing Roosevelt and Parks reveals distinct leadership approaches tailored to their unique contexts. Roosevelt’s transformational leadership facilitated broad policy reforms by inspiring hope and fostering collective effort. His traits of adaptability and strategic communication made him highly effective. Parks’ moral and strategic leadership, rooted in personal integrity and courage, mobilized grassroots activism and challenged societal norms. Both leaders demonstrated resilience—Roosevelt in facing political opposition and Parks in confronting societal prejudices—but their effectiveness stemmed from their ability to inspire and mobilize others.

Analyzing their leadership strengths and weaknesses offers insights into their effectiveness. Roosevelt’s strengths included his ability to communicate a compelling vision, his resilience in the face of adversity, and his strategic policymaking. Weaknesses included his limited immediate engagement with marginalized groups, some criticisms of centralization of power, and occasional political overreach. Parks’ strengths included her moral authority, courage in activism, and her capacity to inspire others. Weaknesses involved her limited formal leadership training, the potential for her actions to provoke negative backlash, and challenges in sustaining activism over time.

Both leaders achieved significant successes aligned with their strengths. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs redefined the role of government and provided economic relief, restoring public confidence. Parks’ act of civil disobedience ignited a nationwide civil rights movement leading to desegregation and greater social justice. Evaluating their effectiveness shows that personal traits such as resilience, moral integrity, and strategic communication were instrumental in their successes, despite the inherent weaknesses they faced.

Reflecting on my leadership journey, I recognize that certain strengths and weaknesses influence my potential effectiveness. One key strength is my ability to communicate effectively and motivate others, mirroring Roosevelt’s traits. A weakness I must address involves managing resistance to change, as seen in Parks’ strategic activism. Recognizing these aspects enables me to develop a balanced leadership style, emphasizing moral integrity and adaptability—essential qualities for public leadership in diverse and challenging environments.

References

• Bennis, W. (2017). On Becoming a Leader. Basic Books.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (2018). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Paulist Press.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Terrill, M. R. (2020). Public Administration: Challenges, Theories, and Issues. Routledge.
• Wooten, L. P., & James, E. H. (2020). The Art of Leadership: Strategies for Success. Routledge.