Influential Leaders: A Past, Present, and Future Timeline by Roman Rocha

Classical Period

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 04:28:58 UTC

Pericles was an Athenian statesman who helped reshape the political and cultural landscape of ancient Greece during the Golden Age of Athens (495 - 429 BCE). Following his father's footsteps of aspiring to have positive political change in Athens, he sought to improve the political system of their society. Like his father, he wanted to surpass the boundaries of traditional influence. Therefore, he later aided in the adaption of the democratic system and through the power of the popular vote, he inspired cultural change in the view of arts, architecture, and philosophy. His beliefs in his city's abilities helped bring monumental change to his society and within the history of Western civilization. I chose this leader because he believed in making positive change that went beyond himself. He aspired to transform the course of Greek history.

Reference:

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Pericles - Funeral Oration, greece & facts. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/pericles

Middle Ages Era

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 04:28:59 UTC

Charlemagne, known as "Charles the Great," was an iconic Frankish King and ruler who was an influential leader during the period of 768 through 814 CE. His background dynamics consisted of religious influence, reformed legal reforms, and cultural regeneration. Through his family connections, he was coached to learn leadership aspects regarding politics, social stability, and military activities. In time, he utilized his learnt abilities to become the first Holy Roman Emperor. As someone who looked to enhance standards, he sought to enhance the social norms of religion, social stability, and cultural renaissance. As someone who was religious and a devoted Christian, he helped reinforce Christian social values. Regarding social stability, he helped revamp legal reforms by fortifying property rights which were not stabilized at that time. He also influenced change in education and promoted the Carolingian Renaissance. All of which were huge developments in Western Civilization. I selected this leader because he was a visionary who looked to make positive social change and believed in educational development and political unity.

Reference:

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Charlemagne: Facts, empire & holy roman emperor - history. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/charlemagne

Renaissance Reformation Era

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 04:29:00 UTC

Nicholaus Copernicus was an astronomer who was an influential leader during the 1473-1543 period. Regarding his background dynamics, he was noteworthy for his social change in astronomy and incorporated the heliocentric model. Essentially, he looked to change the way we view the solar system. Hence, his development of the heliocentric model observed a mathematical approach that indicated both the motion and how the planets revolved around the sun. Therefore, his cosmic beliefs pushed him to challenge the way society viewed the current astrology beliefs. I selected this leader because he helped open the door to how society viewed the solar system along with mathematical equations that started the progress that we are in today.

Reference:

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Copernicus: Facts, Model & Heliocentric Theory - History. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/nicolaus-copernicus

Enlightenment Period

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 04:29:00 UTC

John Locke was a philosopher and an influential leader during the 1632-1704 period. As for his background dynamics, his liberalistic approach helped pave the way for how we view democratic principles such as individual rights and civil liberties. His drive for social change first started due to historical events that occurred in the English Civil War. Specifically, he observed political and religious conflicts which led him to develop the philosophical concept known as Tabula Rasa. Later, he was able to advocate for both religious tolerance and separation of church from the state. He did this by creating a letter indicating that the state should not interfere in matters of conscience and religion. Also, his philosophical outlook on natural rights helped influence democratic principles and the American Revolution. I chose him as a leader because he was the founder of modern liberalism and shaped democratic societies that supported how we developed constructs for individual freedoms that we have today.

Reference:

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). John Locke - biography, Beliefs & Philosophy. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/european-history/john-locke

Ages of Progress Period

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 04:29:01 UTC

Jane Addams was an American social reformer as well as a pacifist. She was an influential leader during the 1860-1935 period. Her background dynamics helped construct social policy and promoted positive change. As she was working with a colleague in London, she was influenced by social reform. Soon after, she co-founded the Hull House which provided aid to immigrants, including healthcare, education, and cultural activities. Furthermore, she devoted her life to enhancing the quality of life for working-class immigrants. These actions helped inspire social policy and her award of the Nobel Prize for Peace. I selected her as a leader because she aimed to improve the lives of immigrants who struggled in society. I have similar beliefs and would like to promote social justice for those that are challenged in society today (HIV-positive clients that are stigmatized in society).

Reference:

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Jane Addams - Hull House, Biography & Progressive Era. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/jane-addams

Modern Period

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 04:29:02 UTC

Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister, social activist, and a pivotal leader during the mid-1950's. His background dynamics were formed by his moral responsibility to passively battle discrimination and segregation. Which eventually led the way to his American civil rights movement. The drive that led him was his family relations, education, and experiences with social injustice. Due to these culminating factors, he chose to be a nonviolent advocate for inclusion. He was infamous for his "I Have a Dream" speech that eventually led to the promotion of equality and his receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. I selected this leader because I believe in advocating for social justice. I feel everyone should have equal rights in society and no one should be segregated due to race, gender, age, or social class.

Reference:

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Martin Luther King Jr: Day, Death, quotes. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/martin-luther-king-jr

Postmodernism Period

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 04:29:02 UTC

Pope Francis is the current Pope and has been an influential leader since being in his position in 2013. His background dynamics include being a powerful advocate for environmental stewardship, unity and interfaith relations worldwide. His studies in Liberation theology led to his drive towards social injustice, discrimination, and poverty. Therefore, as the Pope, he utilizes the church as a stage to help promote political engagement in these areas of concern as well as inclusion, interface relations, and climate actions. I selected him as a leader because as a Catholic, I respect the positive change that he has brought in the last decade. He is humble and is not afraid to interject with global leaders on his beliefs for social change.

Reference:

Pope Francis - age, Quotes & Facts. (2021, April 20). https://www.biography.com/religious-figures/pope-francis

Future Leader (15 years)

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 04:29:03 UTC

The future holds promise with emerging leaders around the globe. One leader I researched was Emma Gonzales. She is an activist and an advocate for gun control. In 2018, she survived the deadliest high school shooting that has been recorded in America. Since then, she has been an advocate to protect society from gun violence and has lead many protests, including the March for Our Lives event. Since then, her movement has had positive social change in sustaining appropriate gun measures and creating a safer society. I chose her because I feel gun control needs to be taken more seriously. Too many lives have been lost throughout the world. These actions could have been avoided, but instead, many families are having to learn to move on without their children. I hope her movement continues to cause more positive impact throughout the world.

Reference:

Who is Emma Gonzalez? everything you need to know. Emma Gonzalez – Bio, Facts, Family Life of Gun Control Activist. (n.d.). https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/emma-gonzalez-36439.php

Future Leader (30 years)

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 20:17:09 UTC

Another emerging leader from around the globe is an individual by the name of Greta Thunberg. She is from Sweden and is an environmental activist who wants to help save our environment from the effects of climate change. At only the age of eight, she decided to change her way of living based on the harm that she learned climate change has caused throughout the world. In 2018, she went to her country's parliament every Friday for three straight weeks during a school strike for climate change. She eventually influenced thousands of students to participate in her "Friday for Future" strikes. Her social influence was eventually known as "the Greta effect." I chose her because I feel that her movement will be a legacy throughout the world for many generations to come. I truly believe that her vision and inspiration to promote the reduction of emissions and adaptation will be life-changing.

Reference:

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg named Time’s Person of the Year | december 11, 2019. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/climate-activist-greta-thunberg-named-time-person-of-the-year

Future Prediction of Future Leadership

rrocha61 — 2024-03-03 20:26:50 UTC

Change that will help drive transformation will come down to leaders understanding to move away from a fixed mindset and broadening their thought process. When this occurs, they can expand their ability to recognize necessary adjustments and become more actively engaged with their team. Aside from strategic planning and effective team management, being more psychologically sound (empathetic and resilient) will help enable trust, innovation, and create a positive organizational culture.

Some changes that will drive future leadership in 2035 and 2050 would be leadership learning to evolve a mindset that is open to strategic thinking and/or complexity. Also, increased technological advancements, effective use of hybrid teams, change management, and the enhancement of professional development will also drive future leadership. These are areas that we have learned throughout the semester that have issues based on leadership not being fully engaged or unable to reframe due to complacency. If organizations could follow this model, they would be more dependable and will have a positive future in front of them.