Running head: Discover On Your Own 1

Discover on Your Own
William Wilberforce, Biography

Concordia University

EDGR 506 Character and Ethics of Leadership
Instructor
July 1, 2013

Discover On Your Own 2
Week 3 - Discover on Your Own

1. The 4 – 5 qualities in my leader I most admired were….
Prior to taking this class I had heard the name Wilberforce in the saying, “Don’t be a Wilberforce!”. The saying did not have a good connotation. I had no real information on the man or his importance to his times. After reading this biography I would be pleased if someone called me a “Wilberforce”. I found him to be someone worth …show more content…

He sought information regarding the slave trade and conditions in which slaves were transported. He listened to the stories of slaves and ship captains and armed with information set out to persuade others to abolish slavery. He worked to improve the lives of others while often giving monetarily to those in need. He did not seek attention for himself but rather sought to challenge and change minds regarding Christian ethics, slavery, and manners.
3 (a). A second valuable lens on the leadership style of this leader is, because.....
A second leadership lens would be Transformational. Wilberforce was well liked, social, and an enticing speaker before his conversion. After his transformation he was not as well liked based on his quest, not his personality. He altered who he socialized with and the activities in which he participated. He remained an eloquent speaker and used his power of speaking to slowly transform the thinking of others regarding slavery. Because of his commitment and dedication in the Abolition movement, others sought him out to join their groups.
4. The best quote from the book that captures the essence of my leader is . . .
"The national difficulties we face result from the decline of religion and morality among us. I must confess equally boldly that my own solid hopes for the well-being of my country depend, not so much on her navies and armies . . . as on the persuasion that she still contains many who love