Compare And Contrast Beowulf And The Teaching Of Leadership

In the article “Beowulf and the teaching of Leadership” Dr. Tom Loughman and John

Finely speak about the character Beowulf as a leader of his people. Exploring the idea of whether

Beowulf is a leader or a charismatic role model. The Conger and Kanungo’s (1994) Charismatic

Leader Model is explained to fit Beowulf. They discuss Beowulf’s final battle and how all his

men ran all except for his nephew. Dr. Tom Loughman and John Finely examine the risks of

relying on a person. Can depending on someone be dangerous? Lastly, the story of Beowulf is

said to have similarities to movies that feature monsters and a hero.

Beowulf, exactly what kind of role model is he? In the story of Beowulf, he is perceived

as somebody who is respected , trusted, and has the loyalty of the Geats. As the story progresses

the reader can sense the confidence Beowulf holds.

“My hands Alone shall fight for me, struggle

for life Against the monster” (Finely 38). Beowulf chooses to kill Grendel without the use of any

weapons, as well as with his battle with Grendel’s mother; he decided to go in alone. “He leaped

into the lake, would not wait for anyone’s Answer, the heaving water covered him Over.” (Finely

57). The confidence of victory in his battles caused the Geats to be loyal to him as well as to

rely on him and trust that he would keep them safe. The Conger and Kanungo’s (1994)

Charismatic Leader Model is compared to Beowulf. “In essence, charismatic leaders differ from

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other leaders by their “ability to formulate and articulate an inspirational vision and by behaviors

and actions that foster an impression that they and their mission are extraordinary” (p.442) Does

this remind you of anyone? First person that comes to mind is Beowulf, he is indeed not a leader.

The Geats got used to depending on Beowulf and his boasts encouraged them all the more,

when
they saw him fail they ran like cowards and had nothing to believe in. “A beaten warrior. None
of his comrades Came to him, helped him, his brave and noble Followers; they ran for their lives,
fled Deep in a wood. And only one of them Remained, stood there, miserable, remembering, As
a good man must, what kinship should mean.” (Finely 64). All ran except his nephew, Beowulf
knew he would stand no chance but his charisma lead others to believe in him.
The story Beowulf shows similarities between video games, books, movies, and
television shows. Most entertainment has its hero and a bad guy just like its seen in this book,
sometimes true leaders or others phony charismatic characters. So in the end, is Beowulf really a
leader? No, he only deceives people into thinking that he is one. The way he makes his boasts
show excessive amount of confidence and belief in himself, it blinds his men into believing in
him as well. The goal in Beowulf was to teach values to others and the journal “Beowulf and the
teaching of leadership” was solely made to examine him as a character. Yet the book has made
him to be someone he isn’t and the journal fails to clearly see that.My prediction is that the
journal was made to question the book itself and have the reader wondering.