Leadership Through Example essays

Leadership Through Example essays The most important aspect of any culture is the people. Great nations like the United States were establish through the understanding that people are the most valuable resource of a nation, and it is the responsibility of the leaders to ensure that the people are respected. The central focus of a good leader should always be to maintain the well being of the people - especially during time of war. This understanding breeds patriotism and heroes. A prime example of good leadership is exemplified in Chief Crazy Horse of the Sioux Tribe during the 19th century when the migrating European and American settlers were expanding westward. Chief Crazy Horse recognized that the settlers had no respect for his land, beliefs or his people. He valiantly defended his culture against the intrusion of the settlers, and placed his love and respect for his people above everything. Chief Crazy Horse is a prime candidate for the presidency because he demonstrated great integrity by building a leadership based solely on a tremendous respect for his people. Crazy Horse had enormous respect for his people as individuals. Perhaps the single most important ingredient for successful leadership is respect. He considered the lives of his people equal or even more important than his own. One way in which this was demonstrated was on the battlefield. Numerous accounts and paintings of battle scenes reveal that during an assault, as Crazy Horse led his men into battle, never allowing any of his warriors to pass him. "In advancing upon an enemy, none of his warriors were allowed to pass him" ("Crazy Horse Quotes"). Crazy Horse was also a generous man. He was known to have consistently shown charity toward the poor, lived a humble life and given away spoils of war (with the exception of weapons.) "It was a point of honor with him never to keep anything for himself, excepting weapons of war" ("Crazy Horse Quotes"). As a result of the respect Crazy Horse displayed fo...