There are many leaders throughout the world that are in charge of different things like small organizations and even countries. Some are fantastic leaders, and then others are substandard. Today's leaders and the future’s must learn from previous leaders’ mistakes to make their rule even better. There are many qualities a leader must posses to be an excellent and respected ruler. In Oedipus the King and Antigone, Oedipus and Creon, who are both kings from the play, rule with distinct leadership traits. Some are effective and some are not, but unfortunately, they both have an ineffective trait that leads to their downfall. Based on Henry S. Givray's, 12 Distinguishing Qualities that Define True Leaders, Oedipus and Creon are both determined and loyal, but differ when it comes to serving others and self awareness.
A good leader should be determined to solve problems as soon as they are found. Henry S. Givray says, “If they don't solve problems right away, they can become cancerous” (Givray). In Oedipus the King, Oedipus says, “I’ll find the hand that brought Death to Labdakos’ and Polydoros’ child…” (Sophocles, "Oedipus" 73). The city is in anguish from the plague. During this time period, people believe that a famine or a plague means that they displeased the gods. Oedipus is first determined to find out what they did wrong, and then determined to
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Oedipus and Creon are both determined and loyal. Being determined does not help either of them, but being loyal does. A difference between them is that Oedipus serves the people, whereas Creon does everything by himself. Serving others helps Oedipus gain trust from his people. Creon’s trait that Oedipus does not have is self awareness. However, this does not help him because he ends up losing everyone he holds close to his heart. Although, Oedipus and Creon have similar and different leadership traits, they both end in