Five Examples of Transformational Leadership
Presidents John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Billy Graham, and Franklin Graham are examples of transformational leadership. They are in large part the reason for the rise of the political right since 1960.
I remember the enthusiasm of young people for President Kennedy as I was one of them. His enthusiasm was catching. His famous challenge united left and right: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” That is nothing like the present “Give me your vote and I’ll give you free health care” mantra of today’s Democratic party. The Peace Corps and AmeriCorps programs appealed to higher motives. President Kennedy cut a bloated federal budget and prosperity followed. Presidents Johnson and Nixon led the country to the left, expanding government far beyond what it was under President Eisenhower.
President Reagan articulated the need to halt the expansion of government, using President Kennedy’s reductions as a precedent. He said, “The federal government should get off peoples’ backs and out of their pockets.” He used reason to confront the establishment Republicans, eventually winning over the GOP to a conservative position. President Reagan established Martin Luther King Day.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a registered Republican. His daughter is a vocal conservative. More than any other person I can think of, Dr. King exemplified resonance—the ability to appeal to people’s emotions, experience, and ideals.
As politically active as these men were, their influence pales in comparison to a man who willfully stayed out of politics. I am talking about Billy Graham. During my doctoral research project, I found seven effective transformational leadership characteristics. Graham displayed all by:
1. modeling the behavior he expected of his followers.
2. appealing to reason instead of force.
3. considering the effects of his call-to-action on the larger culture.
4. being aware of the specific needs of individuals.
5. enabling people to act responsibly.
6. having reasonable expectations.
7. having a humble servant attitude.
By focusing his message on making a decision to follow Christ, Billy Graham avoided political and religious opposition. When a person considers the nature of transformational leadership and its power to change lives, the political ramifications of Billy Graham’s leadership become more apparent. A Christian believes that what is going on inside a person is more important than what is going on outside. Out of the heart proceed all manner of evil… and good. A Christian agenda does not focus on changing the environment through governmental control. When a leftist becomes a Christian, he inherently moves to the political right.
Franklin Graham is a great example of living out the Christian life. He demonstrates the ramifications of living for Jesus, which includes voluntarily meeting the needs of others in a way that is a hand-up rather than a handout. His political agenda is for the federal government not to limit his ministry, but rather to maintain an orderly society in which all can prosper.
The way the left becomes more civil is for them to become Christians and for all Christians to follow the teachings of Jesus, which includes transformational leadership.