Assignment 1
1. How well does Northouse’s (2021) definition of leadership (Topic 1) explain Dr.
Henry’s influence? (~300 words)
According to Northouse’s (2021) definition of leadership, this is a collection of “acts by
persons which influence other persons in a shared direction” (51). The definition centers on the
capacity of the leader to combine motives and values to mobilize others to a given direction or
purpose and this is reflected in the leader’s ability to organize and lead the followers through a
crisis or conflict such as the present pandemic (Northouse, 2021). In her words, leadership means
finding the strengths and building on the strengths of the people while addressing their strains, a
transformational leader’s characteristics. The leader must understand their values and the needs
they have to attend to while treating their followers kindly and respectfully. In the interview, Dr.
Bonnie admits to several factors that align with Northouse’s definition of contemporary world
leadership. This involves being authentic, being ethical, spiritual devotion, which is a facet for
taking leadership as a calling rather than as a means to gaining power, discursive behavior,
humility, and inclusivity (Northouse, 2021). As such, “leadership is a process whereby an
individual influence a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (Northouse, 2021, 57). This
definition correctly defines Dr. Henry’s influence. She leads by first thinking about the experiences
of the people who are forced by the pandemic measures to stay indoors and the welfare of the
medical staff suffering from inadequate medical masks as the people buy them out to protect
themselves against the pandemic. In her role as a medical doctor and a leader, she helps to define
the motive – ensuring overall optimal wellbeing of both the drug users and the medical staff, and
her goals, to ensure there are adequate measures against the pandemic while at the same time
helping her followers device means to protect the citizens from harsh economic and social
outcomes. This is reflected in her testimony that “people want to know that you care, and that you
understand, and that you listen (Henry, 07:00-08:00).
(Word Count: 326)
2. Evaluate the process of Dr. Henry’s leadership in terms of servant and authentic leadership
(Topic 3). Please briefly define each of these theories (Northouse, 2021) and marshal relevant
examples and, where appropriate, use direct quotes from the three assigned materials to support
your analysis. (~1,000 words)
Dr. Henry is an authentic leader. According to Northouse (2021), an authentic leader is a
leader who consistently self-disciplined, has compassion for others, and entails behavioral values
consistent with morality and ethics (p. 289). According to Herminia Ibarra (2015), the authentic
leader is true to themselves. Dr. Henry has demonstrated almost all of these traits and
