Importance Of Leadership: Kofi Annan

LEADERSHIP Introduction

Leadership is described in many ways depending on how various individuals perceive it. Leadership is defined as “the process by which a person influences others to achieve an objective”. (Learn to be a leader.com, 2009)

Leadership is that process in which one person sets the purpose or direction for one or more other persons and gets them to move along together with him /her and with each other in that direction with competence and full commitment.Roebuck (1999) also emphasised that leadership should set an individual apart from the rest. She also said one does not need to be in high position (ie) President to be identified as a leader. Moreover leadership is about driving a vision in a team even if it is just one

He held the office from 1997 to 2006. He got into office at a time where UN needed revitalisation. He is a great leader because throughout his time in office he displayed good characteristics of an outstanding leader. According to Dubrin, et al (2006.p.105) in tripod.com, he was transformational leader as he had to reform the UN both internally and externally. One his main duty was to transform the status quo to suit followers and to be more meaningful to them. Further, he realigned the vision of UN so that it could serve the intended purpose. In his quest to revitalised UN he strengthened the peace keeping which enabled UN to cope with rapid rise in the number of operations. In addition to this he was involved in cretaing global fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria as well as adoption of the UN’s counter terrorism strategy. With reference to Traub (1998, p44) as found in Tripod.com, he is described as someone is attentive, objective, someone with the ability to shift people’s position without any threat or building tension. He displayed this when dealing with delicate political situations that include the deliberate move to gain Iraq’s Compliance with Security Council resolutions as well as resolving the Lockerbie bombing situation. Lastly he also received a Nobel peace prize jointly with the

He is one of the world’s prominent spiritual leaders. He was the leading spokesperson for the right of black South Africans, while serving as general Secretary for council of churches. During the apartheid era in South Africa, he brought international attention to the iniquities of apartheid and he also won the Nobel peace prize for his significant efforts. The former President Mr Nelson Mandela gave him the honour to lead the truth and reconciliation commission, where he was investigating and reporting on atrocities committed by both sides in the struggle over apartheid. Bishop Desmond Tutu has displayed good leadership characteristics by being optimistic and being of courage in speaking for the oppressed people’s struggles for equality and freedom. Also he achieved equal rights for all, abolition of South Africa’s passport laws and a common system of education. Among other things he campaigned for issues of combating poverty, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, as well as opposition to form of prejudice like racism and sexism. (Editors,