A young boy worked his way to prominence by serving as a kitchen helper and a professional boxer. He later turned out to be one of the most influential politicians in the U.S. His name was George Corley Wallace. He served as the governor of Alabama for up to four terms. Two of the terms were successive while the other two were non-consecutive. Right from a young age, George was fascinated by politics (Carter, 2000). He made his debut on the political scene after serving as the assistant attorney general at the national level. Therefore, his style of leadership is explored from the time he was the assistant attorney general of the U.S. to the time he was the governor of Alabama.
Wallace used a style of leadership in which he took the responsibility of identifying the required change and working towards achieving it. Through inspiration and collaboration with those around him, he developed visions to guide the transformation. His approach to leadership was transformational in nature (Carter, 1996). Wallace’s first term as the governor of Alabama was characterized by progressive as well as radical changes. For example, he initiated industrial progress in his state and proceeded to go down in the annals of history as the first governor to embrace the idea of tax abatement.
Transformational leaders are regarded as people of high integrity. This attribute was exhibited by George in his efforts to lure firms to relocate to Alabama. In addition to high integrity, he demonstrated high emotional intelligence. George had to make quick decisions to meet some strict deadlines in his day to day job and this requirement is among the factors that helped to portray him as a transformational leader. Several culminations marked his career as an administrator. He maintained the outlook of a transformational frontrunner as he motivated his team and anticipated the best from everyone. He strived to be accountable for every task he undertook and every decision he made. For instance, when he was involved in racial discrimination against blacks in 1970, he came out openly, renounced the behavior, and apologized (Rohler, 2004).
His goals were clear and his conflict resolution skills admirable because, after the botched assassination attempt on his life, he won the gubernatorial seat quite easily. His style of leadership encouraged him to go beyond the conventional. He crafted strategies that would take his teamwork to the next performance level and success. Further, he was a persistent man for even after being defeated in 1958 by John Patterson, he went ahead to support the NAACP, which was an organization that advocated equality for all politically, educationally, economically as well as socially.
Transformation leaders like Wallace focus on team building and motivation to deliver change for a better future. In so doing, they push their subordinates to higher performance levels by setting goals and offering incentives. They also provide opportunities for growth. Wallace had direction as to qualify to be a transformational leader. He had the tendency to break out of the norm and as such, he went for great achievements. He also jettisoned racial abhorrence and racial discernment of all persons. An additional attribute that sets Wallace apart as transformational leader was his persistence in whatever he set out to do.
His flexibility enabled him to recapture the seat later after losing it in 1958. To win the hearts of the white majority in Alabama, he changed from being a liberal to become an avid racist. He used racial campaigns against African-Americans and combined them with his oratory prowess to recapture the gubernatorial seat once again. Transformational leaders like Wallace focus on team building, and motivation to advance their change agenda. In so doing, they push their subordinates to higher performance levels through establishing goals and using incentives. They also provide an opportunity for growth. Wallace had a clear sense of direction concerning what he wanted at a personal level as well as what he wanted to achieve as a leader.
During the 1972 presidential elections, he declared his interest in the presidency but was beaten in the Democratic Party primaries. Besides his ambitious nature, he showed many leadership characteristics such as honesty, good interpersonal skills, good communication skills, empathy, and consistency. However, the greatest virtue that Wallace possessed was leading by example. It is arguable that this attribute was responsible for his racial activities after being elected by the white majority. He had packaged himself as a pro-racism activist during the campaigns. Consequently, he had to lead his supporters by example. However, despite his involvement in racism, Wallace maintained an open-handed and truthful approach to leadership.
His style of leadership often motivated his electorate to re-elect him. As a politician, his quest for popularity often landed him in trouble with either blacks or whites. During his second last term as the governor of Alabama, Wallace took an extreme stand against African-Americans to help him remain popular among the white majority. As expected, he won the subsequent election. However, since it was his last term, he showed the true character of a transformational leader. He treated African-Americans with dignity and elevated them to senior positions in his government. By the end of his political career, he left a legacy that will linger on for many years after his demise. Viewed from all perspectives, George Wallace was the epitome of transformational leadership. The annals of history remember him as a man who significantly contributed to making America the great country it is today. He was not anybody’s angel, but he helped to firmly place Alabama on its path to prosperity through his leadership.
In conclusion, George will be remembered as a leader who was committed to fostering the advancement of all people. The influence that Wallace enjoyed was because of the values that he believed in, his principles as well as his wisdom. Before he entered politics, Wallace was widely known for his open-minded ways. Some of his actions during his tenure as the governor of Alabama made him seem to have lost his way. However, as it turned out during his last term in office, his involvement in racial activities was a political strategy. His last term in office was characterized by major transformations that contributed significantly to the development of Alabama and the larger America. His attempts at the American presidency did not materialize, but he still remains one of those few people whose story will inspire people for generations to come. In honor of his efforts and contribution to make America a better country, the George Wallace tunnel was named after him. In addition, the film industry used his life and times to come up with the film George Wallace and the documentary, which goes by the name The Woods on Fire. This recognition is adequate proof that indeed, George C. Wallace was a prominent leader.
References
Carter, D. (1996). Legacy of rage:George Wallace and the transformation of Americam politics. The Journal of Southern History, 62(1), 3-26.
Carter, D. T. (2000). The origins of the new conservatism, and the transformation of American politics. The Politics of Rage, 25- 94.
Rohler, L. E. (2004). George Wallace: Conservative Populist. Carlifonia, CA: Greenwood Publishing Group.