Here is a short paper I wrote for class in 2019. This one is on Franklin D. Roosevelt.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
By Ipatia K. Apostolides
Sept. 4, 2019
Franklin Delanor Roosevelt (FDR), a member of the Democratic party, was the 32nd president of the United States from 1933-1945. He was a transformational leader, and his presidency began as the US was left reeling from the Great Depression, and it continued into World War II. In his inauguration address, Roosevelt’s mission to end the Great Depression was evident; he claimed: “First of all, let me assert my belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (p.10). Then he acted swiftly on his mission; the next day, FDR declared a four-day bank holiday to keep people from withdrawing funds from banks, followed by Congress passing his Emergency Banking Act, which “reorganized the banks and closed the ones that were insolvent” (New Deal). The New Deal, the Glass-Steagall Act, and Social Security, were all part of his legacy.
FDR also placed emphasis on the community and a few days after he took office, he began his “fireside chats” through the radio which brought him close to the American public (Day et al, 2007). This connection with the public in their homes allowed for effective communication and transparency, and it helped build trust.
According to Stanford historian Kennedy (2003) FDR’s effective leadership was due to several characteristics: he was a quick study, and curious; he had charisma and could connect with large numbers of people; he possessed self-confidence; he was committed to public service; he possessed a strong character, as witnessed by his dealing with polio; he had a clear vision of America, especially during the Great Depression by offering the New Deal; he had political skills to get things done; and he had luck (Cited in Gleaves, 2006).
In addition, FDR depended on his peers for advice and support, and he used a group process decision-making style for his administrative problems (Day et al, 2007). When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States entered the war, and during this time, FDR helped form the United Nations, with its “agenda of world peace and cooperation”(Leuchtenberg, 2019).
The fact that FDR served four terms is unprecedented in American history. Although he died during his fourth term, he had successfully brought back America from its depths of depression and made it a powerful, global strength. His legacy continues; even now, millions of senior citizens are relying on Social Security to get by. This is one leader that I will definitely study further.
REFERENCES
Day, B., Davis, S., & Fitchett, P. (2007). Leadership: a foundation for “wisdom and passion.” The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 8-11.
Gleaves, W. (2006). Franklin Roosevelt as a leader. Ask Gleaves. 27. Retrieved from http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/ask_gleaves/27
Leuchtenberg, W.E. (2019). Franklin D. Roosevelt: foreign affairs. Retrieved from https://millercenter.org/president/fdroosevelt/foreign-affairs
New Deal. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/new-deal
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