There has been extensive research done over the years on leadership and there were many reports and articles made, however there was no one common definition. According to Stogdill 1974, his research shows that there are endless definitions of leadership than there are people trying to define it. There may not be one definition of leadership, however the standard definition can be defined as “leadership is the lifting of people’s vision to a higher sight, the raising of their performance to a higher standard, the building of their personality beyond its normal limitations” (Drucker, 1985). As one would be able to agree is that the basis of the concept is about ‘people’ and ‘vision’.
One of the many famous political leaders was Nelson Mandela. His leadership style was being a charismatic leader. Charismatic leaders adopts the style of gathering their followers by impressing them with their personality and grace, not by trying to be the authority figure or power. (David Straker, 2010). There were many leadership qualities Nelson Mandela had that lead the South African people through the hardships of apartheid through to democracy which lead them to peace. He encouraged his people by providing a vision for a better future in South Africa and that everyone would be treated as equal, as one nation. Along with his motivational speeches and acts, his leadership encouraged the people came together to form a common goal which was to rid the nation of apartheid. South Africans viewed him as a symbol of resistance which gave them the confidence and the determination to fight for equal rights. By being one body and one mind, he successfully united the South African people with him to create a better nation.