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The Great Man Theory: What Makes Great Leaders

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Leadership Throughout History
History is filled with tales of leaders who were brave, selfless, and achieved glorious accomplishments. Your text discusses how leadership theory has been categorized throughout time, from the culture of ancient Egypt thousands of years ago, to the "toolbox" style of today.

The first category, known as the "Great Man" phase, focused on the traits that make an effective leader. This period ranges from circa 450 B.C. to the 1940s, and includes classic examples such as the aforementioned Egyptian period and the expansive influence of the Roman Empire.

The second category, known as the Behavior phase, spanned the 1940s to the 1960s, and focused on determining the types of behavior that leaders utilized to influence and affect others.

The final category is the Situational phase. This line of research began in the 1970s and is still present today. It suggests that leaders have a broad understanding of the various types of leadership styles, and can choose the appropriate one to handle a given situation.

In this Journal, discuss each phase, do research and provide examples of influential leaders from each phase, and explain how and why they were so influential

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This solution describes theories of what makes great leaders.

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The great man phase or theory of leadership is a philosophical perspective on leadership and what makes a great leader that ran from approximately 450 B.C. to the late 1940s A.D. This philosophical or theoretical perspective on leadership supports the premise that leaders are not made, but are born with certain inherited genetic traits that make them outstanding leaders without any pertinent leadership training being required. Another component of this perspective is that these leaders rise to the occasion, and their skills and abilities are most paramount during times of crisis etc. An example of an influential leader from this phase would be Napoleon who reinvigorated the French nation and led it to victory against many enemies. Another influential leader from this phase was ...

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  • Master of Public Administration, North Carolina Central University
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