The modern leadership theory shines with various examples of people who managed to build an organizational system, not on an orderly tone, deterrence, and threats but trust and motivation. A contemporary leader appreciates his followers and can inspire and understand them. Such a leader can be exceptionally charismatic or occupy a high position in the profession while being distinguished by a passion for his work that fascinates others. Former South African President Nelson Mandela was such a leader. He demonstrated how one could achieve great popularity, trust and support through hard work and respect for others. Nelson Mandela is the perfect example of a sensitive leader whom followers sincerely believe.
Biography
Nelson Mandela was born into a family of successive African rulers but was deprived of the right to the throne. His parents did an excellent job raising him and the school strongly influenced him. Nelson Mandela got his name at school (Garba & Akuva, 2020). In his youth, he spent much time in a Methodist school and later attended the only university in South Africa open to the black population. However, at the university, Nelson Mandela’s wayward ardor manifested; he left his studies for a bachelor of humanities. Subsequently, he completed his studies and received a law degree, while he was a prisoner near the Cape of Good Hope.
Nelson Mandela’s political career begins at ANC with his friends Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo. The support of friends was vital throughout his life, especially while in prison. Nelson Mandela spent almost 30 years there, tempering his character though he did not become embittered. He was detained in the 1960s for collaborating with the ANC (Gemechu, 2018). Mandela was deprived of any opportunity for protection and communication with relatives and friends. South African President Peter Botha tried to agree with them on the rejection of violence in the direction of power (Rhode, 2019). Nelson Mandela rejected this, saying prisoners cannot participate in negotiations as equals. After his release, he remained true to his values and participated in the presidential elections for the first time in his life, which he won (Garba & Akuva, 2020). He advocated the availability of antiretroviral drugs, a consistent policy of human equality and the value of human life until his death.
Leadership Style
Nelson Mandela is well known for his democratic advocacy during his period in power. His leadership style is democratic, enabling him to interact well with people and compromise for development and growth. The key to Nelson Mandela’s democratic and even possibly humble rule is forgiveness (Rhode, 2019). He believed the South African country could benefit from integration rather than increased segregation. It is prudent to assume he discerned that separating the races after living together for long would lead to a backlash by whites and disorient black people as to their relationship with the former colonial masters (Rhode, 2019). Allowing white people to live in the country while providing power to black Africans enabled Mandela to foster peace and democracy, with each person choosing their role in society, not bound by international relations but by how South Africans perceived themselves.
Forgiveness allowed him not to lose confidence in people and not just in his close circle of friends. He repeatedly noticed that he had many reasons to become angry during his time in prison as he experienced the indignity of black urban life in the country (PBS, 2022). When Nelson Mandela was released, he fought with himself because he saw free people after almost 30 years and could not help but feel anger towards them (Gemechu, 2018). Twenty-seven years of imprisonment were a fraction of his bright life, but then he could not realize it. Studying the Bible helped him not to become angry and not to lose trust in people. People answered him in the same way, seeing in front of them a steadfast leader who had not hardened under the onslaught of cruel trials. Forgiveness is a significant part of Nelson Mandela’s ethical views and tells young professionals and people in business that any leader must be more than an expert on the market or a particular product (Rhode, 2019). A leader must have a well-developed ethical model based on personal attitudes, experience, and detailed argumentation. Mandela used his experience in prison to guide others towards peace and reconciliation. People were inclined to listen as he had lost time and physical comfort to the people he claimed were now South Africans, leading by example.
Finally, Nelson Mandela left after serving a single term. Despite his imprisonment and royal blood, he did not covet power and is among a small list of African leaders from this era that released power willingly (Gemechu, 2018). Mandela set a good example about effective leadership, enabling other leaders such as Oliver Tambo and Thambo Mbeki to follow in his footsteps. He guided South Africa on the correct path to democracy, unwavering in his beliefs on equality (Garba & Akuva, 2020). Mandela illustrated that being a president is more than holding the seat of power. Rather South Africans would learn that sacrifice and determining the correct moral path was the cornerstone of an equitable society (Chasi, 2017). The leader’s indication of the frivolity of seeking personal glory as opposed to helping the society enabled others to model their behavior after the president. He was respected by black and white South Africans and commanded the respect of future presidents and the world while conducting himself humbly.
Types of Power
Nelson Mandela had legitimate democratic power as the President of South Africa for five years. The presidency allowed him to make several decisions at the legislative level that improved the lives of black people in South Africa. He realized his vision in educational, medical, and building reforms. The South African constitution did not provide a clause about the tenure of a president. Nelson Mandela set the stage for a progressive government founded on democratic principles. The country would continue operating without leadership wrangles that are present in most African countries
Nelson Mandela had educational and social expertise to lead South Africa. He was highly educated and worked as a clerk or lawyer (Bundy, 2019). Mandela was an influential political figure and not just a charismatic speaker. He used charisma, character, and emotions successfully based on to enact changes in the system and determined that deporting white people would not constitute justice but lead to more suffering and resentment (Schoemaker et al., 2018). Mandela enabled South Africa to transition peacefully from colonialism to independence.
He had a strong referent power, which allowed him to influence many people and gain supporters worldwide. Nelson Mandela could inspire and impress the masses, whose support did not leave him until the end of his life. This type of power is the strongest, as it explicitly aims at the communicative and emotional root of relationships between people (Schoemaker et al., 2018). Leaders who excel at demonstrating and using this type of power are remembered by their subordinates for a long time. Associates are the most motivated to support the leader and carry out his instructions, even if the situation gets out of control.
Motivation and Impact on People
Nelson Mandela impressed people from different cultures due to selflessness, seeking peace, justice, and reconciliation. He was a multicultural leader who was sincerely committed to the ideas of democracy and equality. He did not have hatred or exact vengeance for the horrors of apartheid to maintain his dream of a united South Africa (Garba & Akuva, 2020). He was a transformational leader that taught his followers by example. Mandela did not ask people to give more than he had given.
Nelson Mandela inspired not only with emotional tools but skillfully combined them with lawmaking and complex political processes that gradually improved the lives of the black population of South Africa. He managed to become such a leader who was forever inscribed in the context of his country and became a part of it. The presidency was not Mandela’s main leadership achievement since his life was a relentless struggle for human rights. He continued serving as an inspiration to many people around the world facing difficulties about the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Conclusion
Nelson Mandela, having gone through a challenging path full of racism and cruelty, and having experienced a lengthy prison term, was able to become a wise leader. He used a democratic leadership style and believed wholeheartedly in democratic ideals and equality. Forgiveness and a refusal to avenge the horrors of apartheid helped him find a team of assistants. During his popularity and active public and human rights activities, he used legitimate, expert, and referent power. This combination has made him one of the most memorable symbols of the struggle for human rights and forever inscribed him in examples of quality leadership and African culture.
References
Bundy, C. (2019). The challenge of rethinking Mandela. Journal of Southern African Studies, 45(6), 997–1012.
Chasi, C. (2017). What we should have learnt from Mandela. African Studies, 76(4), 491–507.
Garba, D., & Akuva, I. I. (2020). The leadership styles of Nelson Mandela as a pattern for African leaders. Covenant University Journal of Politics and International Affairs, 8(1), 49-64.
Gemechu, T. F. (2018). The making of organizational leaders: Case study of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Mother Teresa, and William Carey. Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, 8(1), 37-50.
Rhode, D. L. (2019). Lessons from iconic leaders: Thurgood Marshall and Nelson Mandela. Hofstra Law Review, 48, 705-734.
Schoemaker, P. J. H., Heaton, S., & Teece, D. (2018). Innovation, dynamic capabilities, and leadership. California Management Review, 61(1), 15–42.