Dr. Martin Luther King is a Natrual Born Leader

This is an attempt to describe common leadership theories as they relate to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., perhaps one of the most celebrated contemporary leaders of the twentieth century. However, the underlining question remains. Was Dr. King born a leader or was he made one? He certainly believed that he was born to lead per the "Great Man Theory". He implies that preachers are great leaders in order to assert that he was born into a lineage of leaders, hence he was a natural born leader. The Great Man Theory stated that leaders were born not made. It implied that a person was born from a lineage of leaders and destined to lead. Such individual's posses a variety set of personal qualities that would classify them as successful leaders.

" I am in a rather unique position for I was born the son, grandson, and great-grandson of preachers"

- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King may feel that he was a natural born leader but credit should be given where credit is due. One must consider key traits that stem from a unique personality. One of a leader vs. a non-leader.

The great man theory states that "evidence shows that traits do matter". But traits alone are not sufficient for successful leadership. They are only a precondition. Recent research has made it clear that successful leaders are not like other people. The evidence indicates that there are certain core traits which significantly contribute to a leader's success. Careful investigation of both, the "Great Man Theory' and 'Trait Theory' will not disclose how a leader possesses these characteristics?

If one observed Dr. Martin Luther King's personality based on his Letter, one finds that Dr. Martin Luther King's traits include interpersonal sensitivity, persistence, initiative, great thinker, creative, social leader, and cooperative.

Such traits can be visualized as he explains his reasoning behind constructive tension. He demonstrates that nonviolent methods will be more effective because of it's final outcome. In this method one can see that he is capable of using creative thinking to achieve effective results with minimum damage control.

Martin Luther King was able to take different approaches when appropriate to create a following that would get the ball rolling on social inequality. He made his followers feel a part of the outcome and the process, for that matter, so as not to have an authoritative tone. He was not just a leader he was a brother, a friend. Doing this he ensured people that their continuation as a united people would go on. He marched with the people, he got pelted with the people, and he was jailed with the people. He was not a leader which directed and sat back and watched.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. engages with his followers on different levels and used different approaches to reinforce his philosophy.

I believe to be a great leader, one must have the desire to lead along with the faith that the Almighty will grant the drive necessary to achieve the task at hand. The desire will not be granted to those who do not posses the mental make up, hence the personality, or the capacity to be motivated in such a endeavor. LEADERS ARE BORN... and it's only until they know it, that we play witness to their extraordinary achievements.