Assignment 2: Public Leader Due Week 6 And Worth 200 973486

Assignment 2 A Public Leaderdue Week 6 And Worth 200 Pointsuse The Ba

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), and a Conclusion. You may create and/or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.

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

Develop a brief overview (i.e., no more than one [1] paragraph for each leader) of the selected leaders and the leadership theory that defines each as a public administrator. Compare and contrast the leadership theories of the two (2) selected leaders in Question #1. Consider some of the following: theories that make him/her effective as a leader; whether or not his/her gender impacts his/her ability to lead; supervisors’ and subordinates’ view of him/her as a leader.

Determine three (3) leadership style strengths and three (3) leadership style weaknesses of each of the selected public leaders. Evaluate the effectiveness of each public leader in terms of each leader’s major successes.

Suggest one (1) key strength or weakness that could influence your ability to be a public leader. Include at least four (4) peer-reviewed references (no more than five [5] years old) from material outside the textbook. Appropriate peer-reviewed references include scholarly articles and governmental Websites. 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.

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. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

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; and write clearly and concisely about issues in public leadership and conflict resolution using proper writing mechanics.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and writing skills.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Public leadership plays a vital role in shaping the effectiveness and efficiency of governmental organizations and the public sector at large. Understanding how different leaders exemplify various leadership theories and styles provides insights into the dynamics of public administration. This paper explores two renowned public leaders—one male and one female—whose leadership approaches embody particular theories and styles. The discussion includes brief overviews, comparisons, and contrasting of their leadership theories, an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses, and reflections on how these insights could influence one's development as a public leader.

Public Leader Overview

Male Leader: Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa and anti-apartheid revolutionary, exemplifies transformational leadership. His leadership was grounded in inspiring change, promoting reconciliation, and fostering a vision of equality and social justice. Mandela’s ability to unite a deeply divided country under the banner of forgiveness and inclusion aligns with transformational leadership theories, which emphasize inspiring followers toward shared goals beyond personal interests (Bass & Bass, 2008). His empathetic approach, resilience, and moral courage cement his reputation as a pivotal figure in public leadership.

Female Leader: Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany, exemplifies a pragmatic and strategic leadership style anchored in transactional and participative leadership theories. Merkel’s leadership was characterized by her analytical decision-making, consensus-building, and emphasis on stability and economic growth (Kaiser & Willen, 2019). Her leadership demonstrates how effective strategic planning and a cautious approach can sustain prolonged governance in complex political environments. Merkel's leadership reflects a blend of authoritative and democratic traits, emphasizing expertise and negotiation over direct inspirational appeal.

Comparison and Contrast of Leadership Theories

Nelson Mandela’s leadership is primarily rooted in transformational theory, emphasizing inspiring followers through shared vision, moral integrity, and inspiring change. His charismatic and moral influence mobilized masses towards social justice, aligning with Burns’ (1978) description of transformational leaders who elevate followers' values and morals. Conversely, Angela Merkel’s leadership embodies elements of transactional and participative theories, focusing on structured decision-making, negotiation, and collaborative consensus. Her pragmatic approach aligns with Blau and Scott’s (1962) theories of organizational participation and exchange, highlighting strategic leadership aimed at maintaining stability and order.

While Mandela’s charismatic style inspired profound emotional commitment and revolutionary change, Merkel’s leadership prioritized pragmatic problem-solving and consensus-building within existing political frameworks. Gender may influence public perceptions; Mandela’s morally driven charisma reinforced his image as a transformational figure, while Merkel’s expertise and cautious decision-making complemented her reputation as a pragmatic and resilient leader. Both leaders' effectiveness is influenced by societal expectations and cultural contexts, showcasing how gender dynamics subtly shape leadership perceptions in public administration.

Leadership Style Strengths and Weaknesses

Nelson Mandela

  • Strengths: Inspirational charisma, moral integrity, resilience in adversity.
  • Weaknesses: Over-reliance on moral authority, potential neglect of pragmatic policy details, slow decision-making process.
  • Major Successes: Ending apartheid, fostering national reconciliation, and establishing a democratic South Africa.

Angela Merkel

  • Strengths: Pragmatic decision-making, strategic negotiation skills, stability maintenance.
  • Weaknesses: Perceived aloofness, cautious approach delaying bold reforms, limited emotional appeal.
  • Major Successes: Managing European financial crises, refugee policy management, and maintaining Germany’s economic stability.

Evaluation of Effectiveness

Nelson Mandela’s leadership was profoundly effective in transforming South Africa’s political landscape. His ability to inspire hope and foster reconciliation resulted in peaceful transitions of power and societal healing. His leadership is often cited as symbolic of moral courage and transformational influence, demonstrating the power of moral authority and visionary leadership (Northouse, 2018).

Angela Merkel’s effectiveness is evidenced by her long tenure and the stabilization of Germany and the European Union during turbulent times, including economic crises and geopolitical shifts. Her pragmatic and cautious leadership helped navigate complex issues, although critics argue that her cautious approach sometimes delayed transformative reforms (Kaiser & Willen, 2019).

Both leaders achieved significant milestones that reflect their respective leadership styles, making them exemplary figures in public administration and leadership theory applications.

Personal Reflection

A key strength that could influence my capacity to lead in the public sector is resilience, inspired by Mandela’s ability to withstand adversity and maintain focus on long-term goals. Alternatively, a weakness such as over-reliance on charisma or moral authority might pose challenges without strategic planning or pragmatic decision-making. Recognizing these traits in myself underscores the importance of balancing inspiration with practical action, a vital lesson from both leaders discussed.

Conclusion

Studying Nelson Mandela and Angela Merkel illuminates the diverse yet effective approaches to public leadership. While Mandela’s transformational charisma fueled societal change, Merkel’s pragmatic strategies maintained stability and fostered resilience in governance. Understanding these models broadens the perspective on effective leadership, emphasizing that context, societal expectations, and personal traits influence leadership success. Aspiring public leaders can draw valuable lessons from these exemplars, balancing inspiration with pragmatism, moral integrity with strategic decision-making, to lead effectively in today’s complex public sector environment.

References

  • Bass, B. M., & Bass, R. (2008). The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications. Free Press.
  • Blau, P. M., & Scott, W. R. (1962). Formal organizations: A comparative approach. Stanford University Press.
  • Kaiser, R., & Willen, R. (2019). Angela Merkel: The Chancellor and Europe. European Journal of Political Studies, 12(3), 45-62.
  • Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.
  • Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
  • Gniewek, M. (2020). Leadership styles and effectiveness of Angela Merkel. International Journal of Public Administration, 43(6), 487-498.
  • Mthetwa, T. (2021). Nelson Mandela’s leadership in context: An analysis of transformational leadership theory. Journal of Leadership Studies, 15(2), 22-36.
  • Wollmann, H. (2020). The pragmatic leadership of Angela Merkel. Governance and Public Policy, 8(4), 95-112.
  • Nye, J. S. (2019). Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. Public Affairs.
  • Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 8th Edition. Sage Publications.

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