Heroes and leaders have long had a popular following in literature and in our own imaginations. From Odysseus in ancient Grecian times to May Parker in Spider-man Two, who states, “We need a hero, courageous sacrificing people, setting examples for all of us. I believe there’s a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble” (Raimi, 2004). Organizations need heroes, too. We call them organizational leaders. The study of organizational leadership, then, is really the study of what makes a person a successful hero. Or, what processes, constructs, traits, and dynamics embody the image of a successful leader. One very successful leader, who was also a hero in the popular press, was Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt made enduring changes in the role of the First Lady of the United States, and championed change in human rights around the world. The First Lady became a career position, a political platform, a media persona, and a worldwide influence at a time when most women did not pursue careers. Eleanor Roosevelt stood up for women when women did not have any rights. She then stood up for African-American, most notably the Tuskegee Airmen during World War Two, at a time when African-American did not have civil rights (The Tuskegee Airmen, n.d.). Once she left the White House, she emerged as a worldwide leader of human right when she authored the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the United Nations. Throughout her life, she used her high social standing, her political prowess, and own passion for human rights to breach barriers, influence followers, and create lasting change. Eleanor Roosevelt’s media interactions highlight her adaptability as a leader. She exemplifies the te... ... middle of paper ... ...lain a woman may be if truth and loyalty are stamped upon her face all will be attracted to her." Works Cited Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Nderson, M., Soderland, L., & Brizee, A. (2010, May 5). General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Eleanor Roosevelt. (n.d.) Retrieved January 23, 2012 from National First Ladies Library: www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=33 Pierce, Jon L. and John W. Newstrom (2011) 6th edition. Leaders and the Leadership Process. New York: McGraw-Hill. Raimi, S. (2004) Spider-man 2. Los Angeles, CA: Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. The Tuskegee Airmen. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved 29 January 2012 from http://web.archive.org/web/20070713072733/http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tuskegee
Eleanor Roosevelt was a First Lady during the time of the Great Depression. She made huge differences in the lives of women, youth and minorities.
Eleanor not only helped envision the future, but also secured the future of many people. She heavily influenced the construction of the New Deal programs, which focused on the “rights of women, civil rights, workers, and youth programs” (“Eleanor Roosevelt: The Worlds First Lady"). In 1945, she continued her career by joining the U.S. Delegate to the United Nations and became head of its Human Rights Committee (“Eleanor Roosevelt: The Worlds First Lady"). She was born into a prominent family, and opposite of what her family wanted her to do she became an activist in the social reform. In order to envision the future, a leader must imagine the possibilities and find a common purpose. For Eleanor, there were not many possibilities but there was most definitely a common purpose. She helped achieve and was apart many reforms like women’s suffrage that was ratified in 1920. Through this accomplishment we can see Eleanor’s ability to lead and help accomplish a very important
A strong woman who fought for women's rights and equality of all human beings are just a few accomplishments of Eleanor Roosevelt. " Women are like teabags. You don't know how strong they are until you put them in hot water." In other words, Eleanor thought women had to be test to show their strength. From World War II to the Ku Klux Klan, Eleanor Roosevelt was in hot water many times. Despite these difficult stages, she still showed strength and courage in times of tragedy. During these time periods, she made amazingly controversial achievements. Eleanor Roosevelt deserves to be Angelina Jolie's successor for UNICEF.
her. Having to go through the hardships of death, new places and family, she knew what
Eleanor Roosevelt was not just a First Lady who simply held parties, made small appearances, and stood by the President waving and smiling. Eleanor changed the rules. She was an activist for rights that were ahead of her time.
Clawson, J.G. (2009). Level Three Leadership: Getting Below the Surface, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. (p.85)
Eleanor Roosevelt was a honest person who had responsibility and compassion towards her husband , family and her fellow man, whatever their social status. She used great citizenship and initiative actions in dealing with anyone who was fortunate enough to make her acquaintance. Eleanor Roosevelt is an outspoken advocate of social justice. During the years she has taken over a lot of responsibility. For someone who spent thefirst third of her life as shy and timid, she showed great courage once she was thrust into the presidential “spotlight”.
Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt’s work has made a significant impact in the interpersonal domain. Her work touched the lives of millions of Americans and influenced many aspects of American politics. She was a master of her domain, interacting with millions and breaking down many barriers. Her work can be considered creative because it is so unconventional. She took on roles that were considered untraditional for women, and with an innovative approach.
As I was deciding who to write about, I was looking over many influential leaders throughout history. The person that caught my eye was Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt was a serving leader throughout her whole life. She was the first lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945 and the niece of Theodore Roosevelt, but she was also so much more and accomplished so much more.
There have been countless books, lectures, and and trainings, and retreats constructed around the idea of cultivating leadership in an individual. However, cultivating individuals’ ability to follow great leadership has received far less attention. Who are these people leading if each person within an organization is being trained to be a leader? The word follower has negative connotations, evoking the images of a weak, uncreative, milquetoast personality. However, Jimmy Collins, in his book, “Creative Followership: In the Shadow of Greatness”, suggests that the ability to be led brings as much creativity, consciousness, and indeed leadership to an organization or team as the leader himself.
Gardner, J. (1990). The Nature and Tasks of Leadership. In J. T. McMahon (Ed.), Leadership Classics (pp. 171-175). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.
As a child, Eleanor felt she was the ugly duckling. Insecure and shy, she lost both of her parents as a young girl. Her mother, Anna Hall, died of diphtheria along with her brother Elliot Jr. Two years later her father died. Elliot Roosevelt died of illness, alcohol, and despair. He missed his family. Eleanor was shipped to stay with her strict and proper grandmother. Despite the family trying to make Eleanor feel at home, she continued to feel lonely and empty. It wasn't until she was sent to boarding school in England at the age of fifteen when she established a since of self confidence among other girls with the help of a mentor Mlle Marrie Souvestre. Her marriage to her fifth cousin Franklin Roosevelt increased her insecurities and took away her one source of confidence, her volunteer work at the settlement house. Eleanor bored six children. One died as an infant. She stood by Franklin and was interested in whatever interested him. Franklin became ill. Eleanor became his eyes and ears. She traveled and talked to people he governed. She then found out about his affair when she discovered love letters from Lucy Mercer. He was apologetic and they both decided to stay in their marriage as a political couple. Eleanor opened a new path to stand apart from Franklin. She no longer gave herself solely to his wants and needs. Franklin was sworn into presidency in 1933. Eleanor at his side she began her non traditional role of the first lady. Both of their busy schedules kept their marriage together giving them something to talk about. Franklin passed and Eleanor continued to live a full life working in the United Nations. Eleanor then died in 1962 of a deadly disease.
Komives, S., Lucas, N., & McMahon, T. (2007). Exploring Leadership (2nd ed.). Sans Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Northouse, P. (2010). Leadership: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Lussier, R.N. & Achua, C.F. (2010). Leadership: Theory, application, skill development (5th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western.