Full Answer Section

A person I would like to follow:

One person I would really like to follow is Nelson Mandela. He was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalised racism and fostering racial reconciliation. I admire Mandela for his courage, his commitment to justice, and his ability to forgive.

Mandela exhibited many of the characteristics of servant-leadership. He was always willing to put the needs of his people first. He was also a great listener and was always open to feedback. Mandela was also a very humble leader. He never put himself above his people and was always willing to admit when he was wrong.

A person I would not have wanted to follow:

One person I would not have wanted to follow is Adolf Hitler. He was the dictator of Germany from 1933 until 1945 and the mastermind of the Holocaust. Hitler was a ruthless and power-hungry dictator who was responsible for the deaths of millions of people.

Hitler did not possess any of the characteristics of servant-leadership. He was only interested in power and control. He was not willing to listen to others and was not open to feedback. Hitler was also a very arrogant leader. He believed that he was superior to everyone else and that he was always right.

Perceptual factors that distinguish followership from non-followership:

There are a number of perceptual factors that distinguish followership from non-followership. These factors include:

• Trust: Followers trust their leaders to have their best interests at heart and to make sound decisions.
• Competence: Followers believe that their leaders are competent and capable of leading them to achieve their goals.
• Character: Followers admire their leaders’ character and values.
• Vision: Followers share their leaders’ vision for the future and are inspired by it.

Why leadership style is not universal:

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. The best leadership style for a given situation will depend on a number of factors, such as the culture of the organization, the nature of the task, and the characteristics of the followers.

For example, a more directive leadership style may be appropriate in a crisis situation, while a more participative leadership style may be more effective in a situation where creativity and innovation are needed.

Conclusion

Leadership is a complex and challenging task. However, it is also a very rewarding one. The best leaders are able to influence others in a way that is positive and productive. They are also able to adapt their leadership style to the specific situation.