Hitler

Introduction

Leadership does not have an exact definition. It can have different meanings to different people. “Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (Northouse, 2013, p. 5). The process by which a person influences others to accomplish a goal or objective is executed by applying their leadership attributes. Leaders have a variety of attributes affecting how they accomplish their goals. These attributes include beliefs, values, ethics, character, knowledge, and skills. Leaders often are charismatic, good communicators, and motivators (Northouse, 2013). Leadership normally combines a goal that coincides with the leader’s beliefs. Usually, leaders are perceived in a positive light, although just because someone is a leader does not mean it is for a virtuous cause. The objective of some leaders can be immoral or unethical. This type of leader is referred to as a pseudo- transformational leader. This type of leader is “self-consumed, exploitive, and power oriented, with warped moral values” (Northouse, 2013, p. 187). Adolf Hitler was the leader of the Nazi Party and the Chancellor of Germany but the ramifications of his leadership had a devastating impact on Eastern and Central Europe. His leadership manifested itself in the death of millions of innocent people and left the world traumatized.

Background

This paper will briefly highlight Adolf Hitler’s background as it had an effect on his leadership style. Hitler was born in Branuau am Inn, Austria on April 20, 1889. He was the second son of Alois and Klara Hitler. His childhood brought him much loss and seemingly as much abandonment. With the deaths of his brothers and sisters, his father, and then his mother, the young Hitler could have been calloused to the idea of death in dying all by the time he reached the age of eighteen. As a student, Hitler was not very apt, but interestingly enough, he was very interested in art. Consequently, he moved...