Crawley Family and Criminal Justice
There are two types of leaders, and these are born and made leaders. While it is possible to master the art of leadership, it becomes much easier to execute it when born with it. Born leaders are natural leaders (Blank, 2001). Leadership runs in their veins. They do no need to exert too much effort in portraying the leadership qualities. Leadership appears to be more natural when portrayed by a born leader than a made leader. As it follows, effective leaders are born, to some extent, with genetic and dispositional tendencies that are a good fit for the role. Born leaders tend to execute certain traits such as planning, achievement- oriented, openness to new experiences, persevering, emotionally stable, and general intelligence that contribute to the effectiveness of leadership. Looking at the Crawley family, one is presumed to be correct when he say that the family is made up of born leaders. Even though the family members may execute tendencies of being made leaders there is no doubt that a good number of them are born leaders. One can argue that they have the leadership genes. Looking at the family as a whole, a huge bunch of the family members are in leadership positions. The Papa is said to have been a mayor and later a judge in the judicial system. His son little Jack was elected to be the DA and later was appointed as the head of a multicounty drug force. It is evident that this is a family composed of born leaders. This kind of trait extends up to the third generation of the household.
Effective leadership can be perceived from both sides. It is true to say that born leaders are a good fit for the obligation (Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, 2004). However, it is also true to conclude that different circumstances and event they have encountered in their lives mold them to be the leaders they are today. To some, development is more important than the innate talent of leadership while to others, natural talent is the optimal solution. Supreme Court judge Antonin Scalia tends to lean more on the natural talent than experience and circumstances. He believes that it is more important to have the leadership trait in you than to be shaped into a leader by circumstances and events. For example, when choosing his clerks, he tends to prefer those who went to high end schools that are difficult to enroll in. He uses this criterion even though it’s clear that the person of his choice does not have the leadership trait in him. I believe that it does not matter whether you were both with the leadership trait or whether you were molded into a leader by circumstances. What matters is a person’s ability to be an effective leader who can bring positive change upon his people. Innate talent should not be used to disregard leadership traits in self-made leaders. It is true that experience is the best teacher. This pertains the Crawley family, in that though it is clear a majority of them are born leaders, the third generation is composed of made leaders. Patricia can be used as a good example of a self-made leader. It is evident that before her brother was elected the District Attorney that she used to work in the office of the prosecutor. After his election, we are told that she left to start her firm which is doing well currently. It is said to be the largest in the county. Patricia expressed her intention to vie for a superior court judgeship. Patricia is a made leader. She saw the opportunity to lead the others when her brother, in my opinion, opened the door for her. She started her practice. She was shaped by the events that occurred in her life to become the leader she is. It seems that she learned great leadership skills. This is so evident in the practice that she began. It is said to be the largest in the county.
Social exchange theory is a social psychological perspective that explains social change and stability as a process of trade between parties. It is evident that the Crawley’s have experienced multigenerational success in leadership. Every generation has had some persons participating in the general administration of the country in one way or another. There are several influence tactics that the Crawley’s may have employment in their rise to leadership positions, but most likely it is certain that they equipped themselves with inspirational appeal tactic. They effectively link the desired outcome of an activity to a set of value and ideas that are honored by the group. The Crawley’s have and history of being elected to positions of leadership. This is most likely achievable by showing people that there are a set of value and goals that must be achieved at the end of the day. People in the society need leaders that can work for their greater good.
In the field of criminal justice, it is evident that both charisma (Bruce J. Avolio, 2013) and skilled leadership through training are of the essence of the active leadership of judges, police officers, and prosecutors. Although it is essential for a leader to be acquainted with leadership skills, it is also vital to have a charismatic leader. This involves the creation of a self-image that is so powerful that people are drawn to you. People need leaders that can move the society. They gather followers from their personalities and charm rather than power and authority. A leader that has both is more than capable to lead society to achieve is desired goals.
References
Blank, W. (2001). The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders. New York: Warren Blank.
Bruce J. Avolio, F. J. (2013). Transformational and Charismatic Leadership: The Road Ahead. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing limited.
Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, E. E. (2004). Are Leaders Born or Are They Made?: The Case of Alexander the Great. New York: Karnac Books.
