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A strong leader is not necessarily a good one. In a group, there are always people who prove to have better leadership skills then others. The strongest of these people can often influence the weaker people into following them. However, the strongest person is not necessarily the best leader as it is proven in William Golding's novel, The Lord of the Flies. Although Ralph is the weaker person, he is still able to demonstrate a better understanding of people than Jack who is stronger. Ralph demonstrates his excellent leadership skills throughout the novel by keeping order among the group, treating everyone with respect, and having the sense to keep his focus on getting rescued.
While the boys are under Jacks control, they quickly regress into uncivilized savages. However, Ralph manages to keep the boys under control by holding meetings. At the meetings, a sense of order is instilled because the boys are not allowed to speak unless they have the conch shell. Ill give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when hes speaking. (p. 31) By enforcing this sense of order, he gains respect from the boys and becomes for confident as a leader.
Ralph uses his power to try and improve the boys civilization. He demonstrates his understanding of the boys needs by building shelters. They talk and scream. The listens. Even some of the others. (p. 53) Ralph is referring to the fact that the boys need the shelters because they are afraid and the shelters will help the boys feel more secure.
This demonstrates his better knowledge of people making him a better leader than Jack who does not understand this. Jack does not realize that the boys need to feel secure and require a sense of order in their society. Ralph shows his understanding of human nature by the way he handles the boys. Jack considers the boys inferior to him, meanwhile, Ralph treats all the boys equally and with respect.
Ralph's leadership qualities are shown when he defends Piggy since he is the weakest of the group and is therefore treated unfairly. When Jack slaps Piggy and purposely breaks his glasses, Ralph calls it A dirty trick. (p. 76) This shows Jacks selfishness and his failure to respect other humans, while at the same time shows Ralph's concern and ability to understand others. Ralph manages to treat each boy equally with his form of government while Jack treats the boys, especially Piggy, as inferiors. After hunting, the group sits down to eat and Jack gives everyone a share except for Piggy. When Piggy asks for some, Jack says, You didnt hunt. (p. 78) Neither Ralph or many of the littles hunted yet they still received their portion of meat.
This cruel treatment was to be directed only at Piggy. Jacks behavior towards Piggy shows that he is incapable to understand other people; a good leader would have taken care of all his / her followers. Ralph understands that he must treat everyone as equals or he will not be respected and is a better leader than Jack because of this knowledge. Ralph's common sense and ability to recognize what is best for the group also demonstrates his excellent leadership skills.
His main focus throughout the book is getting rescued and instructs the boys to make a fire and to keep it burning as a distress signal. However, the boys do not share this concern and he becomes infuriated. The fire is the most important thing on the island. How can we ever be rescued except by luck, if we dont keep the fire going? (p. 86) Ralph's determination to get rescued is not only for selfish reasons, but rather, it is in the best interest of the group to be rescued. When the boys join Jacks tribe, they are not aware but Jack is only able to satisfy their short-term desires, such as the desire to hunt and have fun. A good leader however, should look to the future and plan like Ralph does.
Although these choices may not always be favored, the better leader will carry out long-term plans. When Piggy says, Which is better to be a pack of painted niggers like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is? (p. 197) He shows how they have been lead off course by not following Ralph. Ralph's main priority, which is getting off the island, is a wiser choice than for the boys to follow Jack. Unfortunately, the boys take the easier choice, which is to hunt and have fun rather than keep the fire burning.
If they had listened to the better leader, the novel may not have ended as it did. In conclusion, Ralph is a better leader than Jack even though he is weaker. Ralph has proven to have a much better understanding of people and their needs and this makes him a much better leader than Jack. With Ralph's understanding of the need for order and rules, he improves the society in which the boys are living in.
Jacks society was barbaric and savage and met none of these needs, Also, Jack treated the boys very badly and as inferiors. Ralph, on the other hand was able to treat the boys all equally and with respect. Ralph's priority to get off the island demonstrates his wisdom and ability to make good decisions. Although Jack was popular on the island for the short amount of time the boys were there, he would not have been popular for much longer.
He does not have any of the qualities that a good leader should have and transformed himself and the rest of the boys into complete savages. Jacks appeal would have soon faded but if Ralph had become leader, his wisdom would last much longer.
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Research essay sample on Leadership Skills Good Leader
