INTRODUCTION- Adolf Hitler was born on 20th April, 1889 in Braunau am Inn, Austriaand grew up near Linz. He married Eva Braun. However, both committed suicide on30thApril, 1945 in Berlin, Germany (Goblin, 2002).EARLY INFLUENCES – Hitlershowed interest in German politics, rejecting the authority of Austria-Hungary.This sense of nationalism became the motivating force of Hitler’s life.
Afterhis rejection from the school of art (see education), he got deeply depressedand drifted away from all his friends. Itwas at this time he got attracted to the boundless potential and success ofanti-Semitic or anti-Jewish, nationalist Christian-Socialist party of ViennaMayor Karl Leuger (Adolf Hitler Biography.com, August 5, 2017). Influenced by Leuger,he began to develop the extreme racial mythology that remained fundamental tohis own philosophy as well as that of the Nazi Party. He also considered Henry Fordas his inspiration (Gerber, 1961). EDUCATION -He had only completed secondary education officially. In his early life, Hitlerwanted to be a professional artist but he could not clear the entrance exam ofthe Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna and got rejected twice, in 1907 and 1908 (Gerber, 1961). MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS – Adolf Hitler said, ‘Germany willeither be a power of the world or will not be at all’ (Adolf Hitler Quotes, n.
d). He served as asoldier in World War I, though he did not get promoted from the position of acorporal but was rewarded twice for his courage. He won the Iron Cross in 1914and 1918 (contributors). He had also won theWound Badge in 1918 (contributors, n.
d).He wrote an autobiography Mein Kampf (1925)meaning ‘My Struggle’. Hitler was nominated for the Nobel Prize in 1939 (contributors, n.d).He also invaded Poland in the same year on September 1, leading the masses andcaptured the largest city of Europe before seizing the rest of Europe. Hitlerhelped Germany restore its economy from an unemployment rate being 30% to fullemployment (contributors, n.d).
His goals and power also accelerated technical growth in all areas like nuclearresearch, jet engines, rockets or medicine. Times Magazine named Hitler as ‘Manof the Year’, in 1938 (TIMES MAGAZINE ARTICLE, n.d).Henot only reunited the German nation but also rearmed it militarily. SIGNIFICANCE – Hewas an outrageous German leader and served for the Nazi Party or NationalSocialist German Worker’s Party. He was the chancellor of Germany from 1933 to1945 (Gerber, 1961). His speeches wonthe public.
He took the control of the German Government in 1933 (Goblin, 2002). He was theChancellor of Germany during the Third Reich and the supreme architect behindWorld War II. He was known to the world as an indomitable ‘Fuhrer’, meaningfather in English. He was also a creative artist, writer and militarist, knownfor his exceptional leadership traits and his sparkling nature. Even when he wasarrested for five years on the charge of treason, he spent his time writing hisautobiography Mein Kampf (1925) whichwas dictated to his fellow prisoners Emile Maurice and Rudolf Hess. He madeGermany a powerful country to what it was after World War I. He conqueredAustria without any major trouble. After his death, Germany had nothing left inits hands and had to surrender; he was the only man behind Germany’s prosperity.
Hitler was the backbone of the Nazi Party of Germany and everybody trusted hisability and skills .For example, Hitler once gave his resignation from theparty on July 11, 1921 but people realized that loss of Hitler would mean the endof the Nazi party so they decided to win him back. Hitler seized the moment andasked for the Chairman position in the party and dictatorial powers. If theparty would abide by his conditions only then he would return as their leader.Therefore, the members put his demand to vote and Hitler received 543 votes withonly one against him (THE HISTORY PLACE, n.d).He might be an infamous leader but as Martin Luther King JR. said, “Everything,that Hitler did in Germany, was legal” (MARTIN LUTHER QUOTES, n.
d).LEADERSHIP STYLE- Thereare three major leadership theories based on the styles given by Douglas McGregor.They are Theory X (The Authoritarian Style), Theory Y (The Democratic Style), andTheory Z (The Laissez-Faire Style).THEORY X:In this style of leadership, the boss is the pivot, he holds all theresponsibility and authority .The leaders take decisions and communicate themto their juniors with the instructions without any flexibility.
The leader hascomplete authority to give criticism and praise based on his personally setstandards. It is a positive and negative style of leadership as it can becomean abusive leadership when the leader starts using his power, influence andcontrol for personal interest. THEORY Y:In this style of leadership, juniors are a part of decision making. Unliketheory X, this leadership is based on the subordinate’s contribution. The leadersdelegate responsibility and authority to the subordinates, who determine work projects.It is the most preferred as it encourages honesty, wittiness, proficiency,innovation, etc. This is moreover a participative type of leadership thatinvolves the free exchange of ideas and encourages discussion. THEORY Z:In this theory, subordinates are allowed to work with zero interference.
According to research, it is the most ineffective style of leadership. In this,leaders just delegate their authority and responsibility to juniors and follow thepolicy “Let it be”. This theory declines the productivity and efficiency of thework.HITLER AS A LEADER OF THEORY X – AdolfHitler was an authoritarian type of leader.
He showcased all the attributes ofit. He believed that he was the pivot of his leadership and focused on hispersonal control, dictating that the ultimate power is in his hands. As per BBCsources, he stated that “ultimate authority rested with him and extended downward”(UK ESSAYS, n.d). He did not form a collaborativeenvironment.
Hitler never trusted anyone and only trusted his own intuition .Forexample, the incident when Russian troops had approached the border of Germany,many of the German military generals came up to Hitler to warn him and askedhim to act accordingly .They told him that the situation could get worse, asthe army was reaching nearby, but Hitler never gave a thought to what they saidand did what he felt was appropriate in his opinion. He did not trust any of hisofficials (Adolf Hitler Biography.com, August 5, 2017). Hitler had an incrediblememory and always got annoyed at every variance. He had greed for more and morepower.
Theory X proved to be destructive later and Hitler is a great example ofthis in the true sense because he had become overconfident. Due to this factor,Germany lost World War II. His confidence turned into arrogance and alwaysacted on his instinct. As an example of his extreme self-assurance, he gavesoldiers rifles from World War I to fight in World War II which was against thenew technology. Germany had developed the first jet engine plane but on hisorders to outgo with the research on tanks, the production of jet engine was halted.
His leadership style became the major reason for the loss of Germany againstRussia. Though he was a great leader, his leadership turned abusive. He wantedcontrol even over those areas to which he knew nothing about. He neverdelegated authority or responsibility to his juniors and told them exactly whatto do, how to it and when to do it.
He clearly portrayed an authoritarianleadership style. LEADERSHIPTRAITS OF ADOLF HITLER – Themajor leadership traits recognized by a research globally are intelligence, confidence,integrity, sociability, determination and charisma. The traits of Adolf Hitler asa leader are as follows:· CONFIDENCE – Hitler wasself assured of his abilities, he rose to a great level in the hierarchy scaleby his influential speeches.
He got Germany back from the extremity of economicholocaust. The battles which he made in major areas and key time periods arefacts that show he had great confidence in his skill and ability. He hadcrystal clear sight and knowledge of the way to bring his strategies intopractice effectively. For example, when Hitler wanted to gain chairman positionin the party and had strategically left the party, which was truly greatconfidence as he knew that they will agree to his terms as the party needed himas its leader. He also had great strategies, understanding and was of thepolicy to defeat one at a time and procure their region to empower.· CHARISMA – Hitler hadgreat charisma. He was well known for his personality. He was able to influencepeople easily and effectively.
He is regarded by researches as one of thebiggest orators of the world. He was able to brainwash an entire nation to followhis principles and thoughts. One of his major speeches is Hofbrauhaus given on 24th February, 1920 at Munich whichwas attended by 2000 people, this number kept increasing and later his firstspeech at Circus Krone was attendedby 6000 people.· DETERMINATION – Hitler’sdetermination and immense persistence of purpose were two attributes whichdescribed him through his governance. He was a man who endeavored for power andcommand.
To become the commander of Germany and conquer the entire world, heclimbed all the way up from being a soldier to the chancellor of Germany andthe commander of a huge army. He had great will and focus for his ambition. CONCLUSION To sum up, hewas cruel but a brilliant and charismatic leader. He clearly displayed anauthoritarian leadership style leading the entire nation with his command. THOUGHAN EVIL LEADER, HE REMAINS IMMORTAL IN HISTORY
