Davina Merowit

November 28, 2018

Dr.Portwood
HSMT 3201-009
Who Do You Look Up To?

“Who do you look up to?” This question was hard to think about because I realized that I

never gave it thought about who really inspired me to be the leader I am growing to be. My

family members are the ones who have shaped me into who I am today; well-focused,

thoughtful, charismatic, and to have open communication. These traits are only the start to

becoming a great leader. As I researched and thought about who could possibly have these

traits, I realized that John F. Kennedy resembled these traits.

John “Jack” F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the second out of

nine siblings. Growing up, he came from a wealthy prominent, Irish, Catholic, Boston family.

Joseph Kennedy, his father, was a successful banker with the stock market after he served as

Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Ambassadors. Rose Kennedy, his

mother, was a Boston debutante. His paternal grandfather was a wealthy banker and a liquor

trader. His maternal grandfather was a skilled politician which he served as congressmen and

mayor of Boston.

Good leaders progress from their environment and JFK’s father wanted the best for his

kids. He wanted them to be competitive and Jack out of the nine siblings was more into his

father’s philosophy which was “winning was everything” (Biography, 2014). As competitive as

JFK is, he would get emotional about losing. Throughout his educational life, he was a poor yet

mischievous student. He went to a Catholic boarding school in Connecticut called Canterbury,

but then transferred to a preparatory school called Choate. After graduating from Choate, Jack
went onto Princeton for a semester. JFK transferred and graduated from Harvard, where after

he joined the Navy.

After leaving the Navy, JFK decided to run for congress where he won his party’s

election. He then announced his candidacy for President four years later after serving as Vice

President under Adlai Stevenson. As I continue to grow and handle situations, I have learned

that I have transformational leadership traits. There are four components within this leadership

style; “inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, and

idealized influence” (Cherry,2018). JFK had many accomplishments that allowed him to become

a transformational leader.

One component of transformational leadership is inspirational motivation. This focuses

on the clear vision of a goal. JFK demonstrated inspirational motivation with the vision of

putting a man on the moon. JFK said “we have never made the national decisions or marshaled

the national resources required for such leadership” (Space.com,2011). This decision was made

for this nation to take chances and achieve the goals at hand. It was also to show commitment

to the people of America moving forward to expand the adventures of space. In a professional

setting, I will focus on the end goal and start to plan the little details to reach that goal.

Leadership is a choice. Being or becoming a leader is never easy. There is not a manual

that needs to be followed in becoming a great leader. It takes a special person to encourage

and explore new opportunities. JFK demonstrated intellectual stimulation by helping promote

the Civil Rights Movement and when he created the Peace Corps. He had over 170,000

volunteers that would serve 135 countries. This show compassion and created the Alliance for

Progress which was economic ties with Latin America. The Peace Corp allowed the alleviation
of poverty and also spread the communism in the region. He believed in progressing the Civil

Rights movement to allow African Americans an equal right with education, employment, and

public transportation. In relation to Kennedy’s experiences, my job has allowed me to be

creative and to explore new way to bring in new opportunities.

JFK also demonstrated individualized consideration. This component is offering support

and encouragement. While JFK was in the Navy, his assigned boat was destroyed and he helped

some of his crew members back to safety. He also boosted the economy by “expanded

unemployment benefits, improve housing and transportation, and passed a water pollution act

under his own executive anti-recessionary acceleration program” (Anirudh,2016). As I am a full

time college student and working around a personal life, being supportive and considerate is a

backbone when accomplishing my school work and managing my personal life.

Idealized influence has allowed JFK to earn the respect and trust from his fellow peers

and enemies. These traits have allowed situations to go his way rather than having to

manipulate people. JFK said “Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do

for your country” (Biography.com, 2014). It comes from him engaging in the nation and

motivating other by effectively communicating a clear path of the future. Being charismatic

comes with being trustworthy. I have experienced family situations where I have had to

sacrifice in order to help through situations. He understood the importance of history and

embraced every challenge that came his way. Serving as a role model has allowed for trust and

respect to build between my younger brother as well as my co-workers.

 JFK was a risk-taker who used his charisma to enhance his political career. He was a risk

taker when it came to the Cuban Missile Crisis and when it came to him saving his men in the

Navy. While dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis, he negotiated the Limited Nuclear Test Ban

Treaty with Great Britain and the Soviet Union to help ease Cold War tensions. JFK was also

known for his charisma. Being charismatic allowed him to develop the Peace Corps and help

many countries receive aid. It is a trait that stood out because he was known to be an excellent,

positive public speaker who would use an emotional connection with the people.

Roselinde Torres, a TEDTalk speaker, had said “Great leaders are not head-down. They

see around corners, shaping their future, not just reacting to it” (Torres, 2013). Great leaders do

not follow a guideline. In order to be like JFK, becoming a charismatic and well spoken

individual will help in a personal and professional setting. Kennedy demonstrated his leadership

skills by leading the country as president but also relating on a personal level. As JFK once said,

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Be the leader that you admire and

want to become.
Citations:

 A. (2018, September 12). 10 Major Accomplishments of John F. Kennedy. Retrieved

from https://learnodo-newtonic.com/jfk-accomplishments

 Biography.com. “John F. Kennedy.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 27 Oct.

2017, www.biography.com/people/john-f-kennedy-9362930.

 Cherry, K., & Gans, S. (2018, November 19). How Do Transformational Leaders Inspire
and Motivate Followers? Retrieved November/December, 2018, from
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-transformational-leadership-2795313

 Essays, UK. (November 2013). John F Kennedy And His Leadership Style History
Essay. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/history/john-f-kennedy-and-his-
leadership-style-history-essay.php?vref=1

 Staff, S. (2016, March 08). May 25, 1961: JFK's Moon Shot Speech to Congress.
Retrieved May 25, 2011, from https://www.space.com/11772-president-kennedy-historic-
speech-moon-space.html

 Torres, R. (2013, October). Retrieved November 23, 2018, from

https://www.ted.com/talks/roselinde_torres_what_it_takes_to_be_a_great_leader