Leadership attributes

PERTAINING to the political-philosophers such as Karl Marx and Max Weber, the authority of a leader is exercised in three ways – traditional, charismatic and rational-legal authority.
In traditional authority, the legitimacy of the authority comes from tradition, in charismatic authority from the personality and leadership qualities of the individual (charisma), and in legal authority from the belief in the society’s laws.
This exposes the million-dollar motive to find the best leadership tool among the three authoritative systems.
As Marx mentioned, traditional authority is derived from the concept of patriarchal mastery in family units.
Respect for the rule of inheritance and compliance to the patriarch is consistent, though there is no real means of enforcing obedience.
Weber said that traditional authority creates and preserves inequalities.
If it is not challenged, the leader will stay in power indefinitely.
A monarchy system is a precise example for this kind of authority.
Although PNG was once ruled by traditional authorities in villages, they are dormant today.
Otherwise, they collaborated with the rational authority to maintain social-stability and fulfil the desired policies.
Charismatic authority differs from traditional and rational-legal authority.
It does not develop from the recognised traditions and regulations but from the charisma of an individual.
People follow this authority because they believe in the leader.
A leader that uses effective communication skills on top of his visions to influence others.
Charismatic leaders are able to inspire a group of followers who are willing to break established-rules.
When given legal authority, they become not only a blessing but also a bonus.
To pinch this kind of leaders, it is obvious that people like Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Adolf Hitler and Mahatma Gandhi will hit the top list.
In spite of being the idols of charismatic authority, their leadership remains a masterpiece in history.
Weber noted that people obey rational-legal authority because of the law rather than tradition or charisma.
The authority of the ruling regime is tied to the legal rationality, legitimacy and bureaucracy.
It is rational because the means are designed to achieve certain goals and it is legal because the authority is applied through an office.
And this concludes with
Marx’s interpretation stating that law is considered to be the tool of the ruling class to maintain its powers over the working classes.
However, it is learnt that a traditional authority moulds its bearers to rule unevenly.
This erects a charismatic leader as its system imparts them to withhold loyalty via the achievement of collective goals, while the rational-legal authority enables politicians to use the constitution to safeguard themselves.
Arguably, a charismatic leader is the key to unlock any door.

Petrus GAND
UPNG-BH20-SOB
Anti-Corruption-Activist