Don't get offended if I mention a German leader from the mid 20th Century, however in the context of learning about leadership - the art of mass persuasion, if you like, Hitler is a classic example. (In this case creatively turned into a short play, a trial if you like, on matters of leadership style.) He may be an example that shows us the dangers of truly hypnotic leadership, and in that there's a lesson indeed, but we may also see echoes of his speeches in own own political leaders as they try to get us to follow and embrace their decisions. There's s lesson in that as well.
Warning: We are looking at leadership styles and their effectiveness, not doing a values analysis. Hitler quite clearly was an exceptional orator who tapped into his audiences feelings in a way few leaders had done before - certainly not on that scale. He also demonstrated a cruel disregard for human life and was the cause of immense hardship and suffering. Despite - or perhaps because of this - his leadership style is worthy of deeper analysis. More here and here on Hitler's style and impact.
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