Susan B. Anthony: What Makes A Great Leader?

What makes a great leader? This is a question that has been asked over and over, but has been answered in multiple ways. Maybe this is because leadership can be a variety of attributes seen in a person. Some people believe that a leader is an individual who rises above their peers. Some people believe being a leader exhibits never ending courage. Others believe that to be a leader you have to be more creative than the rest. Although all these attributes make someone a good leader, they do not define every attribute a great leader displays. Sometimes being a leader means getting out of one’s comfort zone. Sometimes leadership is facing every day with a smile on your face, when a storm is brewing around you. Although what makes a great leader

can be a controversial question , the majority of great leaders display tremendous courage, moral soundness, and they always impact those around them.
All great leaders have a fearless sense of courage. One of America’s greatest leaders, George Washington, had the ability to face fear at its threshold. By doing this he became someone others admired, and followed for guidance. He also provided many people with the realization of what was occurring in their country, and what the nation needed to do to uphold their freedom. Rosa Parks is another person whose unyielding courage inspired others to stand up against what they knew was wrong. After refusing to give up her seat, she encouraged a bus boycott that would tremendously affect the outcome of the Civil Rights Movement. Displaying an outrageous amount of courage, Rosa Parks encouraged and lead others to do the same in their daily lives. Another great leader in history whose courage leads him to make one of the biggest sacrifices to lead others was Jesus Christ. He displayed his courage by dying for his people. In return for his sacrifice and courage, many others were lead to faith in Christ. George Washington, Rosa Parks, and Jesus Christ are all examples of how being a great leader takes awesome courage.
Another defining attribute of a great leader is their sense of moral stability. Mahatma Gandhi is someone whose moral stability and virtue of peace has led him to become one of the most influential leaders in the world. By standing for non-violence, Gandhi has gathered many followers, because he appeals to their sense of right and wrong. He is the perfect example of a leader whose moral compass has influenced many of his followers. Malcolm X, a civil rights activist had a different moral soundness, that gained him a different kind of following. Although his morals against whites were not peaceful, they were stable in the fact that they were unchanging. Many of his followers were drawn to him because of his headstrong opinions on fighting back against whites, and this contributed to the strength of his leadership. Booker T. Washington set a standard for his followers by saying that elevating oneself to a higher moral ground was the best way to deal with discrimination. Displaying his morals for all to see, Booker T. Washington made a statement for the abomination that segregation was. This lead him to be someone many others looked up to as an example of what they wanted to stand for. Mahatma Gandhi, Malcolm X, and Booker T. Washington show that stable morals are a part of being a great, influential leader.
Lastly, a great leader always impacts those around them..

Martin Luther King Jr. greatly impacted the African American race to fight for racial equality. Whether it was through his powerful speeches, or his own persona, Martin Luther King Jr. impacted those he met. As an effect of Martin Luther’s acts, many African Americans were inspired to take action of their own civil rights. Susan B. Anthony, a woman who fought for Women’s Rights, created a following that became unstoppable. Before Susan spoke up against the injustices women were facing, many women were afraid to express their feelings about their rights as citizens of America. Instigating a fire against injustice in women around America, Susan B. Anthony’s impact was evident when millions of women got together to protest for Women’s Right’s. Abraham Lincoln influenced many whites to turn against slavery. His impact on society was clearly seen when the Emancipation Proclamation was passed. Without Lincoln’s impact on society, there is a real possibility that slavery could have continued for a much longer time. Martin Luther King Jr., Susan B. Anthony, and Abraham Lincoln, all show that a great leader has the power to impact the ideals and actions of those around

them.
Whether it’s doing something as miniscule as helping an old lady across the street, or simply standing up for someone who is being bullied, leadership is something that comes in many forms.There are many forms of leadership, some of these are; transformational,transactional, participative, autocratic, and laissez-faire. Although the question of what makes a leader great is controversial, there are a few main qualities that make a great leader. Great leaders are willing to do whatever it takes to get their point across, they always stand up for what they believe to be right, and they always affect those around them Someone can be a good, leader, but not a great one. In conclusion, the characteristic that distinguishes a great leader from a good one is how far they are willing to go to see change.