Beowulf is a legendary story that has been passed down from generations of families and is still cherished to this very day. Its epic battles and tales of the strong and powerful Geats make the story still interesting and exciting. And although the story could be complemented for its adventurous themes, one of the largest lessons you can learn from this legend is how to become a powerful and respected leader. The main ideas of leadership expressed in the story can be based around how bravely Beowulf handles his problems, how he manages his team in a crisis, and how Beowulf himself represents the image of a charismatic leader. It’s said that most heroes “are brave enough to walk away from a situation and not to be concerned by the loss of face”(Pagano).
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A charismatic leader is described as someone with the “ability to empower employees to exceed normal expectations of achievement” (Loughman 159). Beowulf does this in his ability to manage his soldiers as described in the previous point. A charismatic leader is not just this definition alone. There are three stages of the behavior a charismatic leader develops and presents to his followers. “(Stage 1) Environmental assessment – followers perceive the manager's greater desire to change the status quo. (Stage 2) Vision formulation – followers perceive the manager's formulation of a shared, but idealized future vision. (Stage 3) Implementation – managers who are perceived as charismatic are seen to be engaging in exemplary acts that subordinates interpret as involving great personal risk and sacrifice” (Loughman 159). In stage one, the Geats share Beowulf’s desire to stop Grendel to return Heorot to its original state. In stage two, the Geats share Beowulf’s vision of a prosperous future for their kingdom. And finally in stage three, the Geats trust Beowulf as they see his willingness to save Heorot, even when it puts him in risk of death. Beowulf being a brave and charismatic allows him to have outstanding leadership and it helped the Geats fight on to save
A charismatic leader is described as someone with the “ability to empower employees to exceed normal expectations of achievement” (Loughman 159). Beowulf does this in his ability to manage his soldiers as described in the previous point. A charismatic leader is not just this definition alone. There are three stages of the behavior a charismatic leader develops and presents to his followers. “(Stage 1) Environmental assessment – followers perceive the manager's greater desire to change the status quo. (Stage 2) Vision formulation – followers perceive the manager's formulation of a shared, but idealized future vision. (Stage 3) Implementation – managers who are perceived as charismatic are seen to be engaging in exemplary acts that subordinates interpret as involving great personal risk and sacrifice” (Loughman 159). In stage one, the Geats share Beowulf’s desire to stop Grendel to return Heorot to its original state. In stage two, the Geats share Beowulf’s vision of a prosperous future for their kingdom. And finally in stage three, the Geats trust Beowulf as they see his willingness to save Heorot, even when it puts him in risk of death. Beowulf being a brave and charismatic allows him to have outstanding leadership and it helped the Geats fight on to save