Abstract
George Washington, America’s first president and founding father, was chosen to lead the nation in three major events: revolution war, constitution making the presidency. A number of characters he demonstrated may have contributed to his achievements, despite there being a number of learned and skilled people more than he was. This paper attempts to determine why Washington stood a chance to lead America in the three positions.
It attempts to answer the following questions what was so special in Washington that made him get recognition in the three events. Why did the new republic thought Washington as a saviour, father of the nation and American Moses? This discussion argues that Washington was a visionary leader and a skilful individual whose patriotism, courage and dedication to the people and the country define his leadership style and character.
Introduction
George Washington is considered one of the most significant leaders in the founding of the United States of America. Washington was chosen to lead during the three major junctions of the founding of the country: revolution, convention on constitution and the presidency, despite have in a number of philosophers, thinkers, orators and brilliant scholars such as Jefferson, Madison, Henry and John Adams (Abshire, 2008).
So, what was so special in Washington that made him get recognition in the three events? Why did the new republic thought Washington as a saviour, father of the nation and American Moses? This question is an issue that emerges in history, but which can be understood if his leadership styles and leadership character are analysed. From an in-depth analysis of his presidency and leadership the three events, it is worth noting that Washington was a visionary leader and a skilful individual whose patriotism, courage and dedication to the people and the country define his leadership style and character.
George Washington’s visionary leadership
A visionary leader is an individual with clear, effective, far-reaching as well as an encompassing vision for the group of people or society he or she is leading. The individual demonstrates the ability to develop ideas and goals that must remain constant and real over time, regardless of the amount of time or difficulties encountered (Abshire, 2008). Moreover, the visionary leader is resistant of any actions or means that may come along to distract the achievement of the vision. George Washington demonstrated these characteristic in his leadership during revolution. He dedicated his life and services to the people of America, and Virginia in particular, during the war of revolution (Callahan, 2002).
His aim and objectives were primarily to see a free nation. Despite the many challenges and causes that attempted to disrupt the achievement of independence of America, Washington stood by his words and stuck to his belief in a free nation (Higginbotham, 2007).
Secondly, a visionary leader is an individual who is skilful in designing, developing or organizing a culture of organization, which makes it possible to achieve his or her aims and objectives. It is worth noting that the skills a leader employs in creating an organizational culture determine the degree of contribution the leader has as well as the time the culture lives among the particular group of people (Higginbotham, 2007). In this case, the members of that society must share the leader’s visions, aims and beliefs. Washington specifically demonstrated these characteristics in his leadership (Brookhiser, 2006).
For instance, the members of the American society have shared his belief in a free, fair and democratic nation. It has now become a popular culture in the western world. In fact, the designing of the American constitution as a dispensation that seeks to respect the rights and freedoms of the people has become a culture not only in America, but also in most countries throughout the world. His belief in liberty, a free and democratic nation is a culture that generations have fought to achieve throughout the history of America (Callahan, 2002).
Finally, a visionary leader exhibits dedication to the community or organization he or she is leading. He must demonstrate the ability to lead by example and to ensure that others follow him or her in seeking to attain his/her vision (Brookhiser, 2006). This is exactly the type of character and leadership style demonstrated by Washington during the war of revolution (Abshire, 2008). As war general, Washington demonstrated the ability to influence the American soldiers to go and fight the Britain, despite the scarcity of resources, training and skills among the American fighters. To him, freedom was necessary for the people of America.
In conclusion, a number of Washington’s characters demonstrate that he was a visionary leader who had set freedom and liberty as his vision in life (Brookhiser, 2006). His vision and belief in a free, democratic and liberated nation have been shared by generations. In fact, it has become a political and social culture in America.
References
Abshire, D. (2008). The Character of George Washington and the Challenges of the Modern Presidency. Washington, DC: The Center for the Study of the Presidency.
Brookhiser, R. (2006). Founding Father, Rediscovering George Washington. New York: The Free Press.
Callahan. (2002). George Washington, Soldier and Man. New York: William Morrow & Company.
Higginbotham, D. (2007). George Washington and the America Military Tradition. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press.