This awkward dinner conversation from the movie Across the Universe mirrors exactly our search for leadership traits and life goals. When dealing with the issue of identity and one’s purpose in life, Uncle Teddy asserts that “what you do defines who you are.” Maxwell disagrees and declares that “who you are defines what you do.” Jude, put on the spot, defends yet another view that “surely it’s not what you do but the way that you do it.”
Through my own experiences and from learning about role models through our Second Life avatars, reading stories, and observing history, I believe that each of these three men have a worthy point. I think that the activities we participate in and those people we interact with expose us to new ideas and new ways of thinking which will shape our identity just as Uncle Teddy articulates. At the same time, our own personality and morals will guide us in what activities and choices we make so who we are places limits on what we do as Maxwell points out. And, as I noticed with the leaders and role models I learned about at the Lyndon B Johnson Museum, the important characteristic of a leader is the way that he or she carries out their actions just as Jude states.
((A radio))The first leader I came upon at the museum was an inanimate object: the radio. How can I find leadership qualities in something with no morals or thought? Well, following the guidelines established by Jude above, the radio became a leader during the 1930’s and the Great Depression when it both informed and comforted those who listened. The radio became an object that distracted people from the hard times but also provided vital information about news events and other issues like food rationing. I admire the radios ability to help people relax but also stay on top of things. I hope that as a leader, I can set people at ease while I help and teach.
((Lady Bird Johnson and her wildflowers))Traveling through time, I then arrived upon a series of strong female leaders. I hope to attain the extreme courage Rosa Parks displayed when she refused to sit at the back of the bus, and the daring Betty Friedan had when she published The Feminine Mystique. I also especially admire the way that Lady Bird Johnson lived her life. In everything she did, she displayed a strong conviction and clear thought process. She bettered the lives of everyone in the nation as she advocated for beautification of cities and highways and established the wild flower campaigns in Texas. During her time at the University of Texas she stayed active in campus life by participating in student organizations like the Orange Jackets. She took her time in deciding to marry when LBJ proposed to her on their first date. And, she valiantly remained in the public eye after his death. Lady Bird seemed to possess an ability to think and act clearly through stressful situations like being under constant watch by society or being proposed to on the first date. What make her a leader is this ability and also her creativity in adding a new dimension to her role as First Lady. She brought the “feminine touch” to the role of the presidency and appeared to have little doubts as she was doing it. I thus hope to stay logical, active, and compassionate like Lady Bird Johnson.
((LBJ giving confidence to kids))The most striking leadership characteristic I hope to follow, however, is LBJ’s capacity to maintain many identities unified under one personality. He said, “I have followed the personal philosophy that I am a freeman, an American, a public servant, a member of my party, in that order always and only.” This quote shows his undying loyalty to America and also his multiple connections and identities. I, for example, have connections to my family, high school, college, friends etc, and I hope that I can integrate all my identities into my personality. After reading that quote, I then was struck by the knowledge, humor, and confidence of LBJ. Despite his strong loyalties, his personality shone through his wit and skill in telling stories. He claimed that he was not lonely even though he was often alone which I admire because it shows that he felt comfortable with himself and did not need to prove himself. Indeed, that comfortableness appeared when the man acting as LBJ stated “I’m damn good at my job.” Ignoring his amazing record of achievements as President, these personality traits of humor, courage, and knowing ones identity made LBJ a leader in everything he did.
Like Jude suggests, what made LBJ a leader was the way he did things. Man, woman, or inanimate object—if it carries out actions with conviction and courage then I hope to follow its lead.
