Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Transcendent Leadership

By Dr. John E. Chapman III

Passive resistance. Two words that have changed history. Merriam-Webster defines passive resistance as resistance especially to a government or an occupying power characterized mainly by noncooperation. The goal of passive resistance is to achieve social change through nonviolent means. Some famous nonviolent resistance advocates include Mahatma Gandhi, Henry David Thoreau, Leo Tolstoy, Nelson Mandela and one of the most influential in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King’s legacy was change. He promoted equality for all people by leading the passive resistance against segregation. According to historical data, he was the driving force behind events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington. Both of these events helped bring about landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. With all of these historical events, the common denominator was peace. The passive resistance led by Dr. Martin Luther King was so powerful because he led with peaceful resistance. He led by example. As a Baptist minister, he preached his Christian beliefs while leading a very peaceful civil rights movement. For this monumental feat, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

What made Dr. King a great leader?

Upon researching Dr. King’s leadership characteristics, I stumbled upon Visually, a website that listed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s top ten leadership qualities.

1. He stayed persistent–he continually inspired, led and changed.
2. He had an undeterred commitment to do more.
3. He continually reiterated the end goal.
4. He never hesitated to inspire others. He understood that the answer to getting the results he wanted was to inspire those that believed in his vision.
5. He constantly pursued new directions. Dr. King didn’t back down from addressing the topic of civil rights even with threats, violence or attacks.
6. He dreamed big but delivered bigger.
7. He sought out uncharted territories.
8. He pioneered change. His demand for tolerance and respect for everyone placed him at the forefront of the civil rights movement.
9. He positively transformed his followers.
10. He was straightforward in his message.

What a privilege it must have been to have known this great man. Anyone that possesses the qualities above and emulates these characteristics is a true leader. As with all leaders, there will be critics. However, leaders forge ahead through the turbulent times while critics constantly tell you what’s wrong with it and who to blame for it, rarely offering up a solution to fix it.

Dr. King and his crusade of the civil rights movement is one of the greatest examples of change in history. As a school district, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD paid tribute to Dr. King and his legacy by participating in the MLK parade on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Thank you to those who have dedicated their lives in service to others by emulating Dr. King’s message on a daily basis. Within the realm of administration, servant leadership is a t the heart of successful organizational structures. Dr. King personified servant leadership and took it to a level where most never dream of going.