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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Charismatic Leadership Global Leaders and their Achievements Leadership in the 21st Century Leadership Approach and Success to Global Business Conclusion References 1 2 4 6 7 8 9

Jeremiah Temple

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Introduction This essay focuses on understanding contemporary models of leadership in a globalised world. Over the last few decades, globalisation has overwhelmed an increasing number of managers, challenging them to rethink basic paradigms on what it takes to achieve a successful career. Many texts offer compelling arguments that suggest certain types of leaders are best suited to particular strategies. According to session one PowerPoint reading “Models of Leadership within contemporary environments”, defined leadership by (Kotter 2006) as, “having a vision of what the organization can become”. Essentially, Furthermore, this essay focuses on a charismatic leader, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and his vision to unite Africa as a continent. Despite numerous criticisms from some of his countrymen and the West, Dr Nkrumah’s ideology is honored and celebrated even after his death. The significance of his ideology causes the BBC to recognise him as the African of the twentieth century (BBC World News, 2000). In dissecting the essential qualities of a charismatic leader, vision is identified as essential for a charismatic leader. Therefore, to highlight its importance, two exceptional standout global leaders with visions that drive their organizations to business success are explored. Charismatic Leadership Gundling E, Hogan T (2011) pointed out one of the biggest gaps in the majority of businesses: global leadership is distinctly different from the leadership skills needed in a domestic operation. Leaders in a globalised world require a new set of leadership skills, imbued with a global mindset, effective across cultures and nationalities, which were not as critical decades ago. A global model is required that can be applied throughout the world, a model that transcends and integrates national schemes and becomes an essential tool for hiring, training and retaining global leaders of tomorrow. Africa visionary and global leader, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has a passion for the continent of Africa. His vision to unite Africa has begun to ignite after many years after a series of border and micro national skirmishes taking place in the African continent. The threat of disease, socially and naturally constructed, challenge the very continued existence of African people. He suggests the only radical solution to address such problems requires the emancipated energies of the African masses and the positive synthesis of their diverse cultural experiences. Dr. Nkrumah, a true Pan-African and internationalist, fights against capitalism and imperialism in every corner of the world. His contributions, both conceptually and practically, serve as a shining example of how to achieve justice and peace in this world. Nkrumah’s vision for Africa

Jeremiah Temple

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should inspire global leaders. His vision goes beyond his home country of Ghana and toward the continent of Africa. In January of 2009, the world wide community called for unified efforts to acknowledge and commemorate the life, works and continued contributions of Nkrumah and Nkrumahists. Nkrumah’s is an ideology that realises traditional African society was founded on principles of egalitarianism. However, despite its various shortcomings, its humanist impulse continues to urge toward an African socialist reconstruction. His vision was to build a Pan African society. Pan-Africanism, Nkrumah refers to as the total liberation and unification of Africa under Scientific Socialism. Furthermore, he stresses that “The total liberation and unification of Africa under an All-African Socialist Government must be the primary objective of all black revolutionaries throughout the world.” Musser (1987) notes that charismatic leaders seek to instill both commitment to ideological goals