Leadership Styles

What is leadership? "Leadership has been defined in many ways: as a matter of personality, as a power relation and as 'the process by which groups, organizations, and societies attempt to achieve common goals'" (Hald-Mortensen, 2007) I believe that an effective leader must have the following qualities a clear vision, the ability to make the proper decisions, and how to delegate. In researching the leadership styles of President Dwight Einsenhower and President John F. Kennedy, it seems that both these presidents had these traits in their own ways. Both presidents were against the expansion of communism through what President Eisenhower coined as the "Domino Theory" and supported the government of Diem in South Vietnam in order to avoid this from happening.

President Eisenhower from much of my readings was military man the majority of his life. For twenty-five years he served as a soldier and later statesman. (History.army.mil, 2006) From the beginning of his career Eisenhower was thought of as a leader, during WWI instead of being sent to France he stayed in the United States and trained troops that would be sent to battle. (History.army.mil, 2006) Eisenhower's experience later placed him in Washington, where George C. Marshall tested his abilities to in analyzing problems and begin able to come up with a final solution. Once Eisenhower present his tactics, Marshall stated "the Department is filled with able men who analyze their problems well but feel the compelled always to bring them to me for final solution. I must have assistants who will solve their own problems and tell me later what they have done". (History.army.mil, 2006) Eisenhower's actions later led to his assignment as chief of the War Plans Division.

Later Eisenhower became Supreme Commander, a position he gained not only through experience but because of the trust he had gained. He was looked as an honest broker who wanted to defeat the enemy rather than the pursuit of any national agenda. These qualities that Eisenhower acquired throughout his many years of service lead to his nomination for president. His military experience played a huge role in determining his style leadership. According to an article written in the Victoria Advocate, Eisenhower was an orderly mind and as president he followed a system of organized staff work. (Lawrence, 1963) Eisenhower delegated to his subordinated, did not attempt to be his own secretary of state and listened to the recommendations made by his joint chief of staff on military matters.

Through out his time in office Eisenhower proposed the Atoms for Peace program which lead to the creation of the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1957. (History.army.mil, 2006) Also in 1957 a Near Eastern crises led to the Eisenhower Doctrine, which promised American aid to the Middle East against communist attacks. (History.army.mil, 2006) Through his New Look program he was able to balance the budget and cut military spending. Eisenhower also created a new cabinet office, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare weeks after he came into office and in 1958 following the launch of Explorer 1 he signed the bill that created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He turned over this