In this reading, the concept of Humility is explored. This concept is focused on here and it is used to show how this trait or ability to harness humility is quite powerful. When people talk about soft power and charisma, I feel that Ruscio puts this trait up there in being important. Humans inherently arent perfect so those who make the most of their imperfections and try their best to make up for imperfections make their followers understand and bond with their leader which is oftentimes very important. This reminds me a lot of the fear vs Love concept because humility allows more interpersonal communication with followers which can lead to a sort of love whereas those who do not embrace humility enjoy standing out in a godlike persona who wants to be feared. This reading really explores the idea of not exerting power and rejecting power. Ruscio points out “Historians frequently point to this episode as indicative of Washington’s innate ability to establish a bond, a trait that ultimately led him, in more significant historical moments, to acquire authority and legitimacy, not by exerting power over those he led, but by rejecting formal power.” This clearly was more effective than being tyrannical with power and had a better overall effect it seems.
Humility
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I really find interesting the connection you made between ‘fear v love’ and humility. I agree that being humiliated in a way makes a person more ‘human’ and thus more relatable and prone to being loved by followers.
I also appreciate the connection you made between fear vs love and find that interesting to think about. I also like how you incorporated how Washington was able to be a great leader not by formal power, but by relating to others and establishing bonds.
I liked how you stressed how important it is for a leader to create a bond with their followers. In one of the articles that we read about charisma in the beginning of the semester, it talked about how a followers like to see aspects of themselves in their leaders. If someone knows that their leader isn’t perfect, it is much easier to relate to them and see them as “human.”
I totally agree that establishing a bond between people is one of the most effective methods of leadership. People are much more willing to trust someone they have a relationship with than someone they don’t. That is why when people are interrogating suspects or asking for donations, they try to establish rapport. I know this about myself also, I trust people more when I know them it is just a human reaction.
I agree with your point that it is crucial for a leader to establish a bond with their audience. Humility is a perfect way to do this because it makes the leader seem more human, making them an equal with their audience.
I agree that the ability to establish the bond humbly is the key to great leadership. its why we admire Washington so much. it just shows that those we truly admire are those who can rally WITH the troops not rally the troops, someone we can connect with are the strongest leaders.