Leadership is a complex and multifaceted concept, often defined by the ability to guide others toward a goal, inspire change, or maintain the values and vision of a community or group. But what makes a great leader? Is it charisma, wisdom, strength, or empathy? And what happens when a leader falters, making poor decisions or losing their way?
This guide dives into key themes surrounding leadership, using stories from across the globe and throughout history to discuss the qualities and consequences of leadership, both positive and negative.
DISCUSSION POINTS:
- The Burden of Leadership
- Moral Leadership
- The Impact of Leadership on Followers
- Leadership and Failure
- The Price of Power
- The Transformative Power of Leadership
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What qualities make a great leader, and how do these qualities manifest in different stories?
- How does the theme of failed leadership play out in works where the leader struggles due to unpreparedness or other factors?
- What is the role of empathy in leadership? How do leaders who show empathy?
- How does the idea of leadership shift in stories of rebellion or revolution?
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What is the role of trust in leadership?
Leadership is never simple, and its true essence can often be found in the complexities of human decision-making. Through history and in libraries, from the noble to the misguided, leaders can elevate, corrupt, transform, or inspire. Whether successful or flawed, these leaders reveal that the weight of leadership lies not just in the decisions they make but in the lives they touch along the way.
By exploring leadership through the lens of literature, students and readers alike can gain a deeper understanding of what it truly means to lead—and the far-reaching impact leadership can have on the world.