Louis Zamperini: The Qualities Of An Effective Leader

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Leadership is the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group (dictionary.com). An effective leader is focused so they can plan ahead and stay organized to keep their group on track (Economy). They will make multiple and thought out plans and strategies. Being focused helps tackle last-minute problems and changes and will guide their team towards their goal. Skillful leaders are optimistic with positive attitudes that spread throughout the group to be more efficient and productive (Economy). Positive leaders have an effective power source that will drive people to work more diligently. Leaders that are passionate have a deep desire that propels them to the next level (Downard). A working heart that is full of pride …show more content…

A trait that made Louis such a great leader is how disciplined he was. Louis transformed into one the most disciplined and dedicated person, after losing his first race he began to train constantly by running everywhere around town every single day and training his lungs underwater in the summertime (B.McKay, K.McKay). Louis was the living example that if a person works really hard at something everyday then a person can accomplish anything. Louis did not have sick days or lazy days, no matter what was going on that day he showed up to train and win. The strongest thing Louis ever did was defeating the opposition that was set before him. When Louis was in POW camp he had to focus on the short-term hardship of getting beaten and severely mistreated by keeping his eye on the finish line and temporary pain (Kingsley). When in the middle of oppositions it is hard to carry on when the ending goal seems so far away but those moments is when the real hero forms inside a person. It would have been easy for Louis to give up in these extremely awful conditions but he chose to keep pushing through so he could be able to tell his story and win his battle. One of the greatest things that Louis did is find forgiveness against the world's meanest guards. While in POW camp, the guards put him through inhumane and torturous acts and after he left the camp Louis was filled with hate and anger, but after going to a Christian sermon he soon got to personally forgive these guards face to face on a mission trip to Japan (Christian). Louis could have spent his whole life being stuck in bitterness and pain but he chose to forgive the unforgivable. Louis believed that people may think that forgiveness is being weak when really it is the strongest thing a person could