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Analysis of the Leadership Style of Malala Yousafzai
“I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls,” by Malala. Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani student and an education activist. She is known for woman’s right, especially for leading a campaign that allowed girls to go to school. She was also a victim of a gunshot attack in October 2012. Malala is the youngest person to have won the noble peace price.
A Leadership Theory that defines an authentic Leader, Malala to stand from the mass is a Great Man Theory. This theory believes that a great leader is destined to become a leader by birth. According to the theory, leadership calls for certain qualities like charm, personality, intelligence and direction led which are of such nature that they cannot be taught or learnt in a formal way. Leadership qualities are carried in the genes. I chose Malala Yousafzai as a leader because at the very initial age she developed a thirst for knowledge. Despite of encountering unbelievable threat she continued to pursue and let young people pursue the education bravely.
Malala, a girl who is intelligent and more ambitious, compared to other girls in the community she belong. Despite the limitation of girls in her community, Malala desired to be an inventor or a politician. (Yousafzai; Christina, 2013). Malala receives many awards for supporting the girls for right to education but she remained humble. She viewed the awards and recognition as if they were little jewels without much meaning. Malala has powerful communication skills.
So much powerful that changes the view of the people around her. She is recognised as a great global communicator at a very young age. She is an inspiration that the world can look up and a motivation that will keep the world moving forward. Despite of her horrific injury, she kept moving forward. A Malala state that she feels like this life is a second life and reason to live again was to help people.” (Yousafzai; Christina, I am Malala, 2013) (University, 2015).
A leadership skill that best describe a fearless Malala Yousafzai is her communication skills. When the Swat valley was ruled by Taliban militants and threats was rained down on girl- to stop their education, she bravely stands against the Taliban’s oppressive campaign by giving an impassioned speech at the local press club. This was her first stand against Taliban with great speech. Even today, Malala is a great young public speaker. An amazing communication skill made her a global icon leader. A profound communication skill of her proved that age has no bearing in the fight for what is right, that anyone can raise their voice to improve the world around us. “When the whole world is silent, even once voice becomes powerful.” (avernon, 2004-2019).
Malala Yousafzai is a servant leader. “A servant leadership is a set of practices that improves the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and eventually creates world a better place to live in.” (center for servant leadership, 2016).
She put herself in danger in order to speak out and make known the injustices being done. Also she has continued to try to make change for the betterment of life for others. The characteristics of servant leadership style that best describes her are:
- Listening: she listens to what others thought needed to change in Swat.
- Awareness: she was aware with what was happening and that it was wrong.
- Building community: she was able to help her communities to grow in a positive way.
- Empathy: she is able to feel the suffering of others.
- Healing: she has healed from her wounds both mental and physical.
In conclusion, the leadership style I posses is a democratic leadership. This leadership style focuses on all the members and let them actively participate in decision-making process. I must say that this leadership style has been very effective as of now. I have been implicating in my personal life and also in professional life. I never take decisions alone rather I seek participation or opinions from my group mates for a more creative and better solutions. Because I have seen that group members feel more involved and committed to a certain work.
