Great Leaders from history

[sethy]

Leadership has been defined as a process through which a person influences and motivates others to get involved in accomplishment of a particular task. This single definition, although universally accepted, fails to define the particular paths and ways of people who are deemed as great leaders. All great leaders had something unique about them and yet they were bound by greatness that helped them to lead masses to innovation and new ideologies. Since the oldest times known to men, masses have been led by efficient leaders. Such men and women have been responsible for ushering their people into a new and more modern world as we know of it now. Although times have changed, the contributions of these great leaders cannot be forgotten and although practices and ways of doing things have changed as well, the ways of these great leaders cannot be overlooked. What made them great might still be applicable in today’s day and age.

[sethy]

Here is a look at some of the greatest leaders of all time and what made them great.

Mahatma Gandhi



Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born an ordinary boy with a determination to excel at what he did. After completing law from London, he became the most important part of the Indian freedom struggle against the colonial rule.  His policy of non-violence and protest through civil disobedience eventually succeeded when he led his country to freedom in 1947. His main characteristics were resilience, knowledge, people-skills, motivational approach and leading by example.

[sethy]

Alexander, the Great (356 - 323 BC)



Alexander the Great, or Alexander III of Macedon, is one of the most famous rulers in history who conquered nearly half of the world. His empire extended from Ionian Sea to the Himalayas. Alexander discovered around 20 cities. When talking about the physical appearance of Alexander, one peculiar feature found is his eye color. One of his eye was blue and the other brown. He was also widely known for his decisive, stubborn and calculating nature. He died in Babylon in 323 BC at the young age of 32. Although short-lived and short reigned, he is known as the greatest military geniuses of all times.

[sethy]

Julius Caesar (100 BC - 44 BC)



Gaius Julius Caesar, a politician, an orator, a general, and an author, was one of the greatest leaders of Rome and the world. He played an important role in extending the Roman empire, making it one of the most powerful empires in his times. Julius Caesar paved way for an imperial system, and his heir Augustus was crowned the first Roman emperor. Caesar is also popular for his affair with Cleopatra VII of Egypt. He introduced the Julian calendar; and also was the first ruler to have coinage issued with his name. Similar to Alexander, Julius Caesar has also inspired many other generals all over the world.

[sethy]

Vladimir Lenin (1870 - 1924)



Vladimir Ilyich Lenin was one of the most popular and influential figures of the early 20th century. It was under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, a Bolshevik leader, that the Russian revolution took place in 1917. The Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government and Lenin became Head of the Soviet State. Lenin's philosophy is well-known as Leninism or Marxism-Leninism, which was a guiding doctrine for the formation of USSR. Several radical and social reforms took place in the Soviet State under the leadership of Lenin. The embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin is on public display at Lenin's Mausoleum in Red Square, Moscow.

[sethy]

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821)



Napoleon Bonaparte    
Napoleon Bonaparte, or Napoleon I of France, is a popular figure in history. He was a general in the French army who rose to power after the French revolution. Ironically, the French revolution which had overthrown monarchy, crowned Napoleon as the new emperor. Napoleon is noted for his success in the Napoleonic Wars with every major European power. He broadened the French empire to great extent and is well-known for his war strategies and tactics. However, his army was defeated in the Peninsular War and also during the invasion of Russia. Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821.

[sethy]

Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)



Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, is one of the greatest leaders in American history. He is ranked among the top 3 great Presidents of the United States (the other two being George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt). Lincoln headed the country in the American Civil War to abolish slavery and apartheid. The Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln freed nearly 3 million slaves in different states of America. He was assassinated in 1865 by a Confederate sympathizer, John Booth. Lincoln was the first US President ever to be assassinated.

[sethy]

George Washington


George Washington, known as the founding father of the United States of America, was the leader of the American Revolution and the first president of US. He was a true visionary whose vision has endured for more than 200 years. What made Washington great was his foresight, vision, strategic planning and his ability to lead people to success.

[sethy]

Adolf Hitler

Although despised through the world, Adolf Hitler was one of the greatest leaders of all time. After becoming the chancellor of Germany in 1933, he was responsible for one of the greatest economic and military expansions the world has ever seen. He successfully invaded more than 10 countries with his brilliant strategy and meticulous planning. His oratory skills, propaganda and planning made him a leader par excellence

[sethy]

Mao Zedong



Mao was the leader of the Chinese Revolution and the founding father of the People’s Republic of China. He successfully endured and repelled the invasion by Japan during the World War II and subsequently transformed the economy of China into one of the major industrialized economies of the world. Because of him, China is a world power and a potent rival to the dominant United States of America.

[sethy]

Nelson Mandela



Nelson Mandela was the first South African president elected in fully democratic elections. Mandela was also the main player in the anti-apartheid movements in the country and served a lengthy prison sentence because of the same. This did not stop Mandela and in fact motivated him to devote his life to uniting his country and he successfully managed to do so after his release from an almost 30 year prison sentence. His main characteristics were his determination, persistence, focus and will.

[sethy]

Fidel Castro




Castro was the leader of the Cuban Revolution and later went to become the Prime Minister of Cuba. He also became the President of Cuba from 1976 to 2008. He endured many crisis, invasions and assassination attempts and took them in the stride. His vision for Cuba still stands and he has proved to be an effective leader and commander. His traits of courage, strategy, hiring the right people and dissemination of duties made him the leader he was

[sethy]

Churchill



Prime Minister of Britain from 1940 to 1945, Churchill led Great Britain against the Nazi Germany during the World War II. He teamed up with allies and consequently led to the defeat and downfall of Hitler. His tenure as the British Prime Minister was in a time of fear and destruction caused by Hitler and his allies. Churchill was known for his fearlessness, determination, unyielding perseverance and undying devotion to his goal.

[saimonh]

Nice.. thanks for shearing....

[Shabnam Sakia]

Inspirational personalities..........