Martin Luther King Jr Leadership Paper

Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………...….. Page 2

Review of Literature in Leadership……………………………................. Pages 2-6

Timeline (Autobiography) of Martin Luther King Jr…………………...... Pages 6-9

Detailed Analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Leadership Style……….... Pages 9-12

Detailed Analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Personality………………. Pages 12-15

Conclusion…………………………………………………………........... Page 15

References………………………………………………………………… Page 16

Introduction

“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice”- Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of power as was able to gain many followers due to his leadership. This paper discusses different types of leadership as well gives a great analysis of the type of leader Martin Luther King Jr. was. This paper gives examples through this life and personality to give the reader a better idea of what type of leader King was.

Review of Literature in Leadership

Transformational leadership is the topic of discussion in chapter 9 of our text. Since the early 1980’s transformational leadership has been one of the most popular approaches in leadership. Transformational leadership is a process that changes and transforms people (Northouse 185). Transformational leadership deals with how leaders are able to push others to accomplish great things. With this approach it is important that leaders both understand and adapt to the needs and motives of their followers. Transformational leaders make good role models, who can make a clear vision for where an organization needs to be, they empower individuals to meet higher standards and act in ways that it is easy for others to trust them. Transformational leaders came from writing of Burns and Bass in the late 1970’s and mid ‘80’s. Bennis, Nanus and Kouzes and Posner are also great representatives of transformational leadership.

To access transformational leaders, we can use the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). This questionnaire measures a leader’s behavior in seven different area: charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, contingent reward,