1. Nelson Mandela and
Francois Pienaar emulated the leadership qualities that an effective and
ethical leader embodies. Amid a post-apartheid South Africa in the 90’s where
violent crime was on the rise and the economy remained unstable, Nelson Mandela
decided to tackle the left over resentment that had left the blacks and whites bitterly
separated, through a rather distinct approach. Rugby. He saw the upcoming Rugby
World Cup as an opportunity to unite his country, realizing that he had to
first “know [his] enemy before [he] could prevail”, which lead him to seek a
passion that both groups shared. Mandela ultimately prevailed as a successful leader
due to his “leading by example” mantra. Even after being held in prison for 27
years, he demonstrated congruence in his values by searching reconciliation and
expressing forgiveness with those that had unjustly discriminated him and his
people. Mandela also demonstrated his effectiveness as a leader when faced with
an ethical dilemma when the Sports Committee decide to motion for a change in
the Springboks’ color, name, and anthem, with the intention to get rid of a
team that for them still reminds them of apartheid. One would think that such a motion would be
the wisest option, yet Mandela voices his opposition to such motion, aware that
this would only enforce the barrier that separates the blacks and whites. Mandela
was championing an unpopular decision, but rather than giving the multitude of
people what they desired, he led them toward what he genuinely believed was the
ethically righteous path, the path that would eventually embrace unity.
Francois, the Springboks’’ captain, also proved to be a competent leader when
making a decision that his team was hesitant and unwilling to commit to.
Although he made a call that was relatively unpopular, just like Mandela,
Francois sought led his team ethically rather than by compliance.
2.
·
I faced an ethical
dilemma during Model United Nations elections for officers. I became elected as
Vice President, and now it was time to cast our ballots for the new President.
However, as an elected official, I could not partake in the voting. Quite coincidentally
the place for President became a tie for the two girls that were running for
that position. In order to break the tie, they allowed me to vote for the President.
It was obvious to all that I would ultimately decide who would become our next
President. The ethical dilemma lied in how I would choose. One of the girls had
heavily supported me and helped me get a rather large support group for vice
president. However, the other girl, Jasmin, had experience in the club for
three years and I honestly favored her as the one who genuinely deserved to win
because of her dedication and impressive public speaking capabilities. I took
the decision in voting for Jasmin.
·
In 9th
grade, our secretary for student council announced that she would not be
present for a few of the upcoming events and decided to leave me as her
substitute until she would come back. During the time I substituted as the
secretary, the other student council officers had decided that they would adopt
as the new secretary, officially replacing their current secretary. I decided
against it, knowing that the secretary had entrusted me her position for a
time, and I did not want to lose my word. When she returned, I stepped down a
regular member, returning her the position of secretary.
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