Ronald Reagan

RONALD REAGAN – THE LEADER OF THE 80’S

The Reagan Diaries (unabridged) were written by Ronald Reagan between his inauguration in January, 1981 through his exit from the Oval Office in January, 1989. His writings were collected and placed in biography form by Douglas Brinkley and published by Harper-Collins publishers in 2007. Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, was a cheerful guy and a fantastic leader of our free nation. It was easy to forget what overwhelming tasks he set for himself. He sought to mend America's wounded spirit, to restore the strength of the free world and to free the slaves in Russia of Communism. He had many personal qualities and his great achievements. He definitely “modeled the way”. In fact, he could be used in defining the practices outlined in Kouzes Posners “The Leadership Challenge”1. The combination of his highly admirable personality and great accomplishments has made Ronald Reagan the most popular American President in the past half a century and one of the most important American Presidents in history.

Reagan was such a great messenger. People liked him and therefore were open to considering his message. He was described by people who worked for him as a kind, humble, and decent person who would never show meanness to anyone. He realized that in order for him to be effective, he must “walk the talk” and refine his own qualities and adjust as necessary to strengthen himself from within. He realized that his vision would have to be great in order to inspire the citizens of this great country. Americans, by nature, live large. He knew that we Kouzes and Posners, The Leadership Challenge Workbook, (San Francisco: 2003 Josey-Bass ) p. 15

were too great for small dreams. He, himself, would not be satisfied with less than everything either. He took on the great and powerful Soviet Union and not only did he aspire to gain an edge over them, he vowed to completely dismantle their empire!

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