TSA section 2 feedback
I’ve written this practice essay for the TSA and would appreciate any and all feedback on it.
In order to be a successful leader, is it better to be loved or feared?
In order to decide which quality is more important for a successful leader, to be loved or feared, first we must define what a successful leader looks like. For example, a successful leader could be one who holds the most power for themselves, and who is able to command it most effectively. In this case, it could be said that being feared would be more useful, as fear from your followers or subordinates could aid you in centralising as much power to yourself as possible by terrorising them into submission. However, if a successful leader were to be defined as one who achieves the best quality of life for their followers or subordinates then fear would not necessarily be helpful in this case, as living in a constant state of fear would lower quality of life, and therefore success. Conversely, a beloved leader would mean happier subordinates, as they would follow them willingly, rather than under duress.
This, in essence, is why a more successful leader would need to be loved first and foremost. Because, when a leader is loved, they would be able to achieve success under both of these definitions. If a leader is loved, it naturally follows that they are loved for a reason. Maybe they appear selfless or courageous, or, if they are a ruler of some sort, they have seemingly forged a peaceful society for their subjects to live in. This immediately establishes the idea that because a leader is loved, they are successful in the minds of their followers. However, just because the leaders' citizens believe this to be true, does not mean it is so. For a leader to be loved, they only have to achieve the appearance of success, and that is why this quality is so much more useful than being feared.
In this way, a leader who is loved can kill two birds with one stone. By creating the appearance of a successful society, in which their citizens believe they have the best possible quality of life, they have both guaranteed the love of their people and what has been previously defined as a sign of a successful leader. Meanwhile, they can also amass significant power for themselves, as followers who love their leader are more readily willing to surrender their own power to them. It then also follows that they can effectively wield this power to convince their followers of their own happiness, further reinforcing their popularity, and therefore the people’s happiness. This cyclical effect is not possible using only fear, due to the fact that it does not instill true loyalty, so while a feared leader can amass power, it is often more fragile than that which is built on real emotion. Therefore, by being loved, a leader can achieve two seemingly polarised goals, which is not possible if a leader is simply feared
In order to be a successful leader, is it better to be loved or feared?
In order to decide which quality is more important for a successful leader, to be loved or feared, first we must define what a successful leader looks like. For example, a successful leader could be one who holds the most power for themselves, and who is able to command it most effectively. In this case, it could be said that being feared would be more useful, as fear from your followers or subordinates could aid you in centralising as much power to yourself as possible by terrorising them into submission. However, if a successful leader were to be defined as one who achieves the best quality of life for their followers or subordinates then fear would not necessarily be helpful in this case, as living in a constant state of fear would lower quality of life, and therefore success. Conversely, a beloved leader would mean happier subordinates, as they would follow them willingly, rather than under duress.
This, in essence, is why a more successful leader would need to be loved first and foremost. Because, when a leader is loved, they would be able to achieve success under both of these definitions. If a leader is loved, it naturally follows that they are loved for a reason. Maybe they appear selfless or courageous, or, if they are a ruler of some sort, they have seemingly forged a peaceful society for their subjects to live in. This immediately establishes the idea that because a leader is loved, they are successful in the minds of their followers. However, just because the leaders' citizens believe this to be true, does not mean it is so. For a leader to be loved, they only have to achieve the appearance of success, and that is why this quality is so much more useful than being feared.
In this way, a leader who is loved can kill two birds with one stone. By creating the appearance of a successful society, in which their citizens believe they have the best possible quality of life, they have both guaranteed the love of their people and what has been previously defined as a sign of a successful leader. Meanwhile, they can also amass significant power for themselves, as followers who love their leader are more readily willing to surrender their own power to them. It then also follows that they can effectively wield this power to convince their followers of their own happiness, further reinforcing their popularity, and therefore the people’s happiness. This cyclical effect is not possible using only fear, due to the fact that it does not instill true loyalty, so while a feared leader can amass power, it is often more fragile than that which is built on real emotion. Therefore, by being loved, a leader can achieve two seemingly polarised goals, which is not possible if a leader is simply feared
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