George Washington And George Washington's Influence Of Leadership

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Vince Lombardi, a football coach who led the Green Bay Packers to win two Super Bowl championships, once said, “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile” (Bio.com). The influence of individuals who have developed strong leadership can be seen in all levels of society, from families to governments. In particular, one individual that stands out throughout history for his lasting leadership is George Washington. Washington was an effective leader who left a lasting legacy and did not let the power he held affect his personal character. In order to be able to understand what makes an effective leader, it is first essential to understand what leadership is. There are many varying perceptions about the concept of leadership. Different types of leadership focus on different principles that range from the character traits of the leader to the change the leader brings. However, at its core all types of leadership consist of the following components: a process between the leader and followers, influence, and a …show more content…

Power simply can be defined as control over resources. This control allows for individuals to bring about change. The influence of power typically has a negative impact on individuals. It has even been said that “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Typically, as an individual gains power they tend to be less inhibited and act more based on their personal desires disregarding what is ethically right. Oftentimes, individuals lose sight of their morals in attempts to gain more power and exploit other people. Indeed, it is true that “with great power comes great responsibility” and whether an individual lets that responsibility corrupt them is a strong measure of their personal character (Ferguson and Peterson,

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