The Transformational Leadership In George Washington America's Hero

George Washington: America’s Hero

Many people argue that George Washington was the most influential leader in American history. King George III of England once said that Washington was “the greatest character of the age” and the Duke of Wellington said that Washington was “perhaps the purest and noblest character of modern times.” What was so unique about this historic giant? George Washington’s leadership style, effectiveness, and use of power made him the iconic figure that he was.

George Washington was a transformational leader who inspired Americans across the country to fight for the cause of the new great nation. Leadership is a process of influence toward a common goal. Transformational leadership, however, is more than merely influencing someone and helping them arrive at a common goal. It embodies that the followers pursue organizational goals instead of personal goals. Washington’s followers were inspired to see the bigger picture of things,

strive to establish America, and fortify the social experiment that was underway. In this process, Washington helped his followers develop different leadership abilities and build themselves up. He was concerned for the well-being of his followers and desired that they become better individuals and citizens. He was able to achieve a transformation in his followers due to the way that they viewed him. He engendered trust in all those that knew of him by the way that he lived his life. The majority of people in the United States did not know him personally but he became a symbol of good, integrity, and trust. This may appear to be a minor detail yet trust is a powerful leadership tool.
George Washington did not have higher expectations for others than he did for himself. Throughout his life he focused on being an example and ensuring that others could model themselves after him. Jefferson spoke of this example when he said that Washington had been “scrupulously obeying the laws throughout the whole of his career, civil, and military,” a model “of which the history of the world furnishes no other example.” His example inspired others to join his cause and stay true to it until the end. An illustration of a similar leader in history is Martin Luther King Jr. He was another great man with a noble cause who was able to make an impact. He pushed his cause forward by focusing on the bigger picture and being an example.
George Washington was an extremely effective leader due to his charisma.

One word that embodies all the traits explained in the anterior paragraphs is charisma. The United States, a new founded republic, desperately needed a charismatic leader in order to survive. Thanks to Washington, America was able to not just survive but thrive. He brought the American citizens together by being a beacon where America could confide. “To degree that we today often do not appreciate, Washington was idolized; his name, Image, and person were held in almost sacred regard” (Lipset). It seemed as though this powerful man would do no wrong. George Washington only made everyone adore him to a greater degree as he humbly served, demonstrating a disdain for office and power (Lipset). A good leader inspires others to work together in unity and to be better than they would be alone. George Washington was a tremendously effective leader; he helped America draw together and do things they could never have done if they had been

separated.
Power is something that is so often misused by man due to the growing desire to always retain it. Power is influence or control over resources such as situations, people, money, etc. Often times, as an individual gains power they begin to develop an appetite for it. They exploit their fellow men with it and never desire to lose it. Abraham Lincoln taught, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” The pigs in Animal Farm were regular animals who joined in a cause against human power. The pigs rise to power incurred a change in them to where they gradually began to resemble the very humans who they had detested. Power caused them to exploit the other animals and use their position to get gain. Role Morality is where an individual has permission to harm others in a way that they wouldn’t do under normal circumstances. Power causes people to change their values for the role that they are playing. Once an individual has power they are enabled to do things that weren’t previously possible which changes the decisions that they make. Power seems to change the very nature of those who obtain it.
Power can be dangerous and morally damaging to many people but there are others, like George Washington, who retain their morals and become seemingly better with power. George Washington never was one who sought out power or forcefully retained it. In fact, he endeavored to pass his power on to another and to become a regular citizen again. “He rejected all suggestions that he assume autocratic powers or become president-for-life” (Lipset). Washington was able to supersede the common perverting effects of power due to his high moral identity. His aspirations were to live a good life and be known for his high moral standards. “But his ambition was not for power and money --- but for his repute, for what people thought of him. To be seen as a man of integrity and virtue was the reward he sought” (Lipset).
George Washington’s leadership style, effectiveness, and use of power made him an effective leader. He knew how to bring the best out of individuals and he surely was one of the greatest leaders in history. The United States would not be the same had he never been our leader. “Washington had given the United States an unheard of boon: charisma with hardly any cost” (Flexner).