Reagan
A Study of Competencies:
Ronald Reagan 1911-2004
Dean A. Smith
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
Management 5590
Webster University
Background
Aristotle summed up greatness as the ability to translate wisdom into action on behalf of public good.
This, he said requires a combination of the key traits of moral virtue, practical wisdom, and public- spiritedness. In addition to knowing what is good for oneself, great leaders must know what is good for others as well. Aristotle went on to explain that it is not enough to be wise or intelligent, as “intelligence is at the opposite pole from practical wisdom”, and the key traits must be in fine balance, and must be equally matched to the particular circumstances of time and place (Hayward). Such was the case with our 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
Ronald Wilson Reagan was a man of humble beginnings, and did not seek political office until he was well into his fifties. Born and raised in small towns in Illinois, he had a strong optimistic religious faith and was very much interested in sports, acting, and storytelling. Reagan also had a particularly strong faith in the goodness of people, and his opposition to racial discrimination at a young age was well ahead of its time (Kengor).
Reagan’s religious faith was impressed upon him early by his mother Nelle. His storytelling was learned from his father Jack; an imperfect role model and salesman who moved the family often.
Earning a degree in Economics and Sociology from Eureka College in Illinois, Reagan pursued a career in radio and film after graduation. He quipped in self-deprecating humor that his career in film was in large part due to a talent scout’s ineptness in giving him a chance as an actor (History). After some years and a notable degree of success as a Hollywood actor, Reagan became involved with the Screen Actors Guild – becoming a leader in that organization. He was a noted liberal
Ronald Reagan 1911-2004
Dean A. Smith
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
Management 5590
Webster University
Background
Aristotle summed up greatness as the ability to translate wisdom into action on behalf of public good.
This, he said requires a combination of the key traits of moral virtue, practical wisdom, and public- spiritedness. In addition to knowing what is good for oneself, great leaders must know what is good for others as well. Aristotle went on to explain that it is not enough to be wise or intelligent, as “intelligence is at the opposite pole from practical wisdom”, and the key traits must be in fine balance, and must be equally matched to the particular circumstances of time and place (Hayward). Such was the case with our 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
Ronald Wilson Reagan was a man of humble beginnings, and did not seek political office until he was well into his fifties. Born and raised in small towns in Illinois, he had a strong optimistic religious faith and was very much interested in sports, acting, and storytelling. Reagan also had a particularly strong faith in the goodness of people, and his opposition to racial discrimination at a young age was well ahead of its time (Kengor).
Reagan’s religious faith was impressed upon him early by his mother Nelle. His storytelling was learned from his father Jack; an imperfect role model and salesman who moved the family often.
Earning a degree in Economics and Sociology from Eureka College in Illinois, Reagan pursued a career in radio and film after graduation. He quipped in self-deprecating humor that his career in film was in large part due to a talent scout’s ineptness in giving him a chance as an actor (History). After some years and a notable degree of success as a Hollywood actor, Reagan became involved with the Screen Actors Guild – becoming a leader in that organization. He was a noted liberal
Bibliography: Hayward, S. (2005). Greatness: Reagan, Churchill & the Making of Extraordinary Leaders. New York, NY: Crown Forum. Kengor, P. (2004). God and Ronald Reagan: A Spiritual Life. New York, NY: HarperCollins. Ginsberg, M. (2011). History.com DVD: Reagan. Boom Pictures for History. Hellriegel & Slocum (2011). Organizational Behavior (13th ed.) Mason, OH: Cengage. Noonan, P. (2004). President Reagan Was a Giant. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4163982/ Thatcher, M NPR (2011). Remembering President Reagan’s Civil Rights Legacy. http://www.npr.org/2011/02/04/133497430/Remembering-Presidents-Reagan-Civil-Rights-Legacy Heritage Foundation (2011) Robinson, P. (2007). “Tear Down This Wall”. How Top Advisors Opposed Reagan’s Challenge to Gorbachev – But Lost. http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/summer/berlin.html Sowell, T Strock, J. (2011). Reagan on Leadership: Executive Lessons from the Great Communicator. USA: Serve To Lead Press. Buckley, W. (2008). The Reagan I Knew. New York, NY: Basic Books. Phillips, K. (2007). Reagan on Reagan. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/books/review/Phillips-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Reagan Quotes (2013)