Ronald Reagan Leadership Traits

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Ronald Reagan Leadership Analysis
When thinking of great leaders, some of the people that come to mind are coaches, businessmen, and presidents. However, the simple aspect of giving someone a title does not justify a great leader. In order to truly justify the impact and significance of a leader, you have to examine their behavior, weaknesses, influential capabilities, relationships, and ethics. Through our research, we found that Ronald Reagan was a leader who embodied these characteristics. As the 40th president, he carried himself in a way that was superintending, showing humility and the power to bring people together. President Reagan was a leader who had many close allies and exemplified the ethics of an American family man.
Ronald …show more content…

According to a Wall Street Journal article written by his National Security Advisor, Reagan was committed to the American Values, he had an unmatched combination of integrity and political courage, and his ability to inspire confidence and earn the public’s support was second to very few (McFarlane). The textbook explains the contingency theory as the effectiveness of a leader’s behavior being contingent upon organizational situations. The textbook says that “two basic leadership behaviors that can be adjusted to address various contingencies are task behavior and relationship behavior” (Daft 67). Based off these traits, Reagan possessed high task behavior and high relationship behavior in regards to the contingency theory. The textbook would say this relationship demonstrates coaching toward achievement style and combining task and relationship behaviors. Reagan clearly presented his objectives and expectations and then followed up with and completed his ideas. This helped him build credibility amongst his staff and the American people. He possessed high relationship behavior because he was known for being able to create confidence amongst his followers and employees. He also empowered his followers and took their opinions into consideration when making decisions. As president, it is imperative to follow through with what you say you are going to do in order to build trust. Reagan believed strongly that he …show more content…

President Reagan utilized many different leadership styles and traits during his time in office, including participative leadership. Reagan once said, “Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don’t interfere as long as the policy you’ve decided upon is being carried out”. Ronald Reagan was not a man who demanded he get credit for his administration’s success, quite the opposite, he often deflected his successes onto his collogues. This type of behavior was very appropriate for such a high level leadership position. As a president who oversees the direction of the entire country, you have to be able to delegate and create a positive team like atmosphere. Reagan once stated, “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit”. “Reagan worked to find the best and brightest people for each area of his administration… he was not afraid that he might be outshined, but knew that the key to his effectiveness and success would be having top leaders… rather than being intimidated by those with expertise and experience, he was motivated.” (Quiggle, 17) Reagan knew he needed the knowledge and experience of many professionals, he used participative leadership by encouraging his administration to work and think freely. He ran

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