Responses
Buck1985
Melvinappt.pptx9-1 Discussion: Leading Leaders of Change
Presented by: Melvina Hitchens
Biography
A South African leader who made a great contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.
Born on 18 July 1918 .
He was the country's first black head of state.
He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Contributions
Initiated the national convention on a non-racial constitution
His negotiations in the early 1990s with the then South African Pres. F.W. de Klerk helped end the country’s apartheid system of racial segregation
He helped in the peaceful transition to majority rule.
Some of his policy goals were full citizenship, redistribution of land, trade union rights, and free and compulsory education for all children.
LEADERSHIP characteristics
He adopted a democratic leadership style.
Charismatic- He held strong emotional reactions towards his followers, which built trust between him and his followers and offered them a strong belief to continue their fight and pledge willing obedience to him.
Transformational- He was an influential leader who elevated his followers’ consciousness by appealing to their higher values and ideals. He encouraged many to educate themselves. He travelled across the country to raise people’s awareness and organize confrontation to prejudiced regulation.
Inspirational- He inspired the people by helping them understand the values and importance of his visions. He also encouraged them to develop their own understanding of what is vital for the country-the fight for equality by eliminating racial discrimination (Pietersen, 2015).
Effective communicator- Communication was vital to his leadership success. He communicated his vision to his followers, and that helped coordinate with them effectively by explaining to them the plan to fight for a better nation.
LESSONS
Bravery- Prisons were designed to break the prisoner’s spirit, but Mandela braved the police and the courts.
One of his quotes was: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. I felt fear myself more times that I can remember, but I hid it behind a mask of boldness. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Passion and perseverance- Mandela passion for fighting for freedom were greater than his struggles. He adopted many strategies and tactics but remained faithful to the cause (Stengel, 2008).
He said, “The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days.”
PREDICTIONS
Today’s education spectrum is facing massive transformations. We are living in a diverse and heterogeneous society characterized by a series of internal crises: the social crisis, the threat posed by globalization, the environmental crisis and unsustainable practices, the crisis of states and also, the crisis of democracy.
We need transformational leaders who will transform the face of education by helping move away from sporadic education and towards lifelong learning.
We need passionate, dedicated and brave leaders who will help build the capacity to learn in schools and a lifelong willingness to face new things and modify learned expectations accordingly.
Leaders have to have passion and commitment towards making the higher education system even better. They must believe in themselves, and that raises their energy, and they become a magnet for people who share the same convictions.
REFERENCES
Stengel, R. (2008). Mandela: His 8 lessons of leadership. Time Magazine, 9. http://www.gmptrainingsystems.com/files/u1/pdf/Mandela_0.pdf
Pietersen, W. (2015). What Nelson Mandela taught the world about leadership. Leader to Leader, 2015(76), 60-66.
