�Staying aloof is not an option, but an act of cowardice� Eleanor Roosevelt
It is argued that Eleanor Roosevelt happened at the right time at the right place and was helped by her privileged background and social position. Although this has some validity, Eleanor responded to the challenge in a world ��where men and women both are not yet enough accustomed to following a woman and looking to her for leadership.�[2] The fight Eleanor undertook was not for personal gain, she disliked the limelight. Her use of title, social position and alliance with people of political influence was toward the good of the underprivileged. An example of this use of influence was her ability to negotiate a much opposed concert for a coloured singer, Marian Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial. Eleanor decided she should not attend as not to use the controversial event to promote her own public image but that of civil rights.
Her style encouraged the actions of others and her foresight raised issues years before they became internationally debated. Eleanor�s non-conformity to tradition in view of being the First Lady or an advocate of women�s affairs was to be aspired to. Her leadership demonstrated examples of different traits, sometimes presenting autocratic, sometimes democratic and sometimes laissez-faire. Public life was not sought by Eleanor and she believed power was gained by a cooperative approach. Eleanor knew the advantage of strength in numbers and constantly reinforced this among her followers.
Did the challenge create the leader in Eleanor or did Eleanor as a leader create the challenge? It was a matter of both.
Leadership?
Theories
Leadership
�You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.� Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor found her courage by overcoming countless obstacles in her path. Eleanor was deeply committed to her vision which embraced American people�s rights in a variety of issues including social justice, women�s fight for equality, improved working conditions, civil rights and improved living conditions for the underprivileged. It is this passion and capacity to recognise that these problems held more importance than her own that gave her the courage to take up the challenge. Thought of as a great strategist and organizer, Eleanor utilized her social position and influence for the greater good.[1]
Could it have been this self awareness and humility that yielded many devoted followers? Eleanor demonstrated courage to try and to persevere. Her reluctance to take on any public position was prevail overed by her desire to make the right changes and take risks. She did not see politics as an individualist purpose and knew the benefits of support networks. This suggests Eleanor was aware of the benefits of contracting followers that could develop their own potential and shows a leadership style that is supportive and participative.
Eleanor would not submit when faced with opposition, it enhanced her determination to fight for what she believed was right. Critics saw her as ��something of a busybody�� and was vilified at every opportunity for her stand on civil rights, for being a bad mother and wife, for her opinions or simply for talking too much.[1] Some would condemn her for regarding herself as above reproach and creating more unrest than necessary.
[2] The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, The human rights years 1945-1962. Sourced 10 October 2006
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/documents/articles/womenmustlearn.html
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Sourced from The Timeline of Eleanor Roosevelt�s Life. www.pbs.org