Franklin D Roosevelt Influence On Leadership

Is leadership learned or an innate skill? This is an interesting age-old argument or debate, in which many scholars and authors have presented their sides. Despite the various points of view, I believe the momentum tilts toward the belief leadership is learned. There are many ways to learn leadership. You can learn through others, either by working with a mentor, observing other leaders in action or reading biographies on leaders of the past. You can also learn by trial and error, what works and does not work for you as you lead others. Prior to this assignment, I had read many books on leadership, mostly theoretical with examples to emphasize their points, but not on any one individual person. I actually selected Franklin D. Roosevelt by accident. My intent was to …show more content…
Roosevelt was born into privilege. He was born in New York on January 30, 1882. The wise investments by his father, in railroads and coal, enabled the Roosevelt family to become part of New York’s high society. Roosevelt’s mother spoiled him. As a child, they afforded him the opportunity to travel overseas, sharing with him cultures and languages outside his own. Because his father associated with high society, they exposed him to highly influential people. When he attended boarding school at Groton in Massachusetts, the headmaster, Endicott Peabody, heavily influenced him. Peabody believed his purpose was to build character within his students. He stressed a sense of public service and strongly believed the privileged must give back to society and to those less fortunate. According to Kennedy, Roosevelt attributes Peabody as the most influential person to him, outside his parents (Kennedy, 2016). Roosevelt went on to graduate from Harvard and although he did not finish, he attended Columbia University Law School. Roosevelt was educated, but by many standards not considered intelligent. However, historians consider him very perceptive in his interactions with people of all