Who is a leader? Image and functions of a political leader

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

Not a single social group can do without internal structuring and differentiation, within which managers and managed at different levels are distinguished. The topic of our article touches upon the highest level of the social pyramid. We will talk about who a leader is and what his functions are.

Leadership Phenomenon

Every person on earth is already participating in the race called life. There are those who run ahead, there are also outsiders. Nevertheless, the majority wants to be in the lead, seeing this as a sign of the success of their lives. Who is a leader in the broad and narrow sense of the word? The term itself, translated from English, literally means "going ahead", "leading". In general, this is a person or group of people who lead the rest of the society. Psychologists have established that not a single social community can exist for a long time without a leading elite standing out, whose authority everyone recognizes and will be ready to obey. This phenomenon is characteristic not only for the human race, but also for many representatives of the animal world. Thus, we can assume that leadership is a biological phenomenon.peace.

The idea of leadership in development

Although most historical events were committed by many people, the annals of history contain the names of mainly those who acted as generators of ideas and inspirers of certain undertakings. Niccolo Machiavelli was the first to pay such close attention to the question of who a leader is and what qualities he should have. In his work "The Sovereign" he admires the leaders of medieval Europe, who were able to achieve their goal, regardless of methods and methods. Friedrich Nietzsche saw a certain superman in a real political leader. This is the one who stands above the generally accepted morality, is able to step over everything on the way to the intended. Modern political science considers the leader primarily as a personal example that inspires everyone in a common cause. So, during the Second World War, the son of Joseph Stalin was taken prisoner. The German command offered to exchange this prisoner of war for Paulus, who surrendered at Stalingrad. Stalin, being a real leader, did not agree to such an exchange, answering that he does not change soldiers for field marshals. It was a difficult decision that doomed his son to death, but it was made not so much by the father as by the leader of a large country.

Types of Leadership

In the broadest sense, there are formal and informal leaders. The former have official superior status, while the latter, even without it, are more authoritative for the group than the official leader. There are the following types of leadership:

• traditional - according to origin, established traditions;
• charismatic - based on the individual qualities of the individual and her achievements, surpassing the dignity of ordinary people;
• democratic - based on existing law.

Also, a modern political leader can build his relations with society on the basis of democratic, totalitarian or authoritarian principles of government.

Qualities of a true leader

A leader is not only the privileges of a high social status, but also the responsibility for those who follow him. Therefore, not everyone is able to perform the functions of a political leader. The population has developed a certain image of the leader. Leadership qualities include responsibility, purposefulness, the ability to inspire, think proactively, administrative skills, strong character and charisma. Yes, yes, in our pragmatic age, the image of a political leader cannot do without this primitive component, which acts on people as if reluctantly, on a subconscious level. We can say that it sometimes outweighs all other advantages of the candidate.

Creating an image

In the political struggle for supremacy, not only one person participates, but his entire team - a circle of closest trusted persons who provide support and create the image of a political leader. This process is quite important, despite the general conviction that a good person will be seen by the people anyway. Unfortunately, society is short-sighted, it needs in an accessible formto show that this or that figure is worthy of their trust and will be able to justify it. In addition, there are not so many true leaders. Taking into account the understanding that has developed in society of what a leader should be, image makers create one or another political subject. This work includes the creation of appearance, polishing of speech, demeanor, diction, theatrical art and much more. Thus, the image of a political leader can be just empty and fake, or it can beautifully emphasize the dignity of the individual, making him more attractive to voters.

Imitator and populist

There are politicians who are actually leaders, leaders of certain sections of society or the entire people, and there are those who only pretend to be. The latter are called imitators, or populists. How do you distinguish, especially in the heat of the election campaign, who is the leader? The imitator counts on an urgent result, on a momentary benefit. This false leader is more likely to make promises, moreover, to everyone and at once, rather than seriously weigh the situation and suggest the best ways of development. For a populist, the outside is more important than the inside. Often he uses incorrect methods of conducting political debates, unhe althy criticism of opponents, up to slander. But he cannot make specific, serious proposals.

Unfortunately, such figures often receive the support of the electorate, which is based on promises to resolve everything quickly andstraightaway. However, this practice leads to an increase in distrust among the population in the institutions of democracy.

The role of a political leader

The functions of a political leader are very varied and important. First, it unites society or part of it around common ideas and goals. Secondly, it acts as a generator of strategic goals for the development of society and puts forward proposals for achieving them. Thirdly, it mobilizes the population for activities in a given direction. Fourth, it provides a link between power structures and society, maintains harmony in the state.

It should be noted that the leader must justify public expectations. If he does not do this and cannot explain why, then soon he will face not only distrust, but also an unfriendly attitude on the part of the electorate. Remember the joyful jackal: "Akela missed"?

Political Capital

One of the most important qualitative characteristics of a public leader is his political capital. It means achievements in the public sphere, which include statuses, positions, popular decisions made, justified forecasts, in a word, everything that can prove his professional and business abilities. This capital accumulates for a very long time, but can be spent in a very short period of time due to the wrong tactics or wrong decision. Such figures are called political corpses. Thus, many leaders of political parties that originated in the 90s and were very popular in their time, are currentlymoment have neither political weight nor popularity. They, despite all attempts to break into the State Duma, are losing elections after elections. Therefore, every politician must remember the responsibility and consequences of any of his promises and decisions.

The path to leadership

Many readers of this article may be wondering, "How to be a leader?" In this regard, it is appropriate to paraphrase the famous aphorism - leaders are not made, leaders are born. Why so radical? Most of the researchers on this topic claim that innate qualities play a very large role in the formation of those characteristics that are necessary to fulfill the role of a leader leading social groups.

Firstly, the future leader is distinguished by an active social position and a high degree of sociability. Secondly, the experience of public activity in various organizations, the skills of public activity at various levels will be very useful to him. Of course, you can't get away from education either. In Western countries there are special educational institutions from which future public figures and government officials come out. In conclusion, I would like to note that any leader as a leader, first of all, works seriously and hard, and also assumes a huge responsibility for his subordinates.