Leadership Skills In Beowulf

Leadership Skills in Beowulf
The Anglo-Saxon poet who composed the epic poem Beowulf portrayed Beowulf to be a model of the perfect leader (Loughman). Beginning when he voyages to Heorot Hall to defeat Grendel, and concluding when he becomes king and dies a heroic death; Beowulf is in a position of leadership throughout the entire poem. Consequently, Beowulf possesses an abundance of characteristics that establish him as a strong leader. Throughout the course of Beowulf’s life, as depicted in the epic poem, the majority of his followers are loyal to him up until his fatal death. However, even during his last battle he still had Wiglaf as a loyal follower (McDonnell 25). A few leadership skills revealed in Beowulf are having confidence and success;

Beowulf is a leader for the majority of his life, and he never receives opposition from any of his followers. “He is absolutely fearless and supremely confident in his own abilities (Loughman).” Beowulf’s confidence ensures his followers that he knows what to undertake; a leader cannot be unsure— especially in dangerous circumstances such as that in Beowulf. Accordingly, Beowulf’s confidence in himself also induces his comrade’s confidence in him to triumphantly be their leader (Loughman). Beowulf displays confidence by fearlessly travelling to defeat Grendel’s mother by himself. His devotees are sure that if anyone can defeat the monster, it would be Beowulf (McDonnell 25). One should not just be confident in their abilities; they must demonstrate success to their advocates. “Deliver on your promises. Which our hero does that very night (Post),” Beowulf executes everything he says he’s going to do; he victoriously defeats both Grendel and Grendel’s mother, and aids in vanquishing the dragon. Not only that, but he does it immediately, he doesn’t stall or conjure excuses (McDonnell 25). A leader is supreme when they demonstrate confidence needed for the role, and when they go through with what they say they’ll

“Beowulf and the Teaching of Leadership.” Journal of Educational Leadership, volume 9, issue 1, Winter 2010. www.leadershipeducators.org/Resources/Documents/jole/2010_winter/JOLE_9_1_ Lougman_Finley.pdf. Accessed 24 October 2017.
McArthur, Jim. "Hrothgar’s Sermon." 23 October 2014, PowerPoint file.
McDonnell, Helen, et al, eds. England in Literature. Glenville, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1982.
Post. Tom. “Leadership lessons from Beowulf.” Forbes Magazine, 11 Nov. 1999, www.forbes.com/global/1999/1129/0224106a.html. Accessed 23 Oct.