In the vast tapestry of history, leaders have left indelible imprints that have shaped nations and the world. Some leaders who undoubtedly left their mark in this regard include Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Donald Trump. These three figures wielded power and influence in extraordinarily diverse ways, capitalizing on the circumstances of the time to serve as inspiration for millions. Moreover, their methods shed light on how power, money, and titles, or lack thereof, interact and influence leadership effectiveness.

Mahatma Gandhi, a towering figure of the 20th century, deployed a leadership style grounded in humility, empathy, and resilience. Gandhi’s leadership defied the conventional notion of power. Money, title, and physical force were conspicuously absent from his repertoire. Instead, he employed the principles of Satyagraha or ‘truth-force’ and Ahimsa, non-violence. Given that at the time India was fighting colonization, Gandhi’s leadership made him appear more authentic with his Indian brothers and sisters, who felt as if they were being treated like second-class citizens in their own country. His ideas influenced millions, leading India to its independence. Gandhi’s leadership style was transformative, appealing to the moral conscience of his followers and adversaries alike. It was a model that worked because it resonated with the innate human desire for justice and freedom.

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first post-apartheid president, practiced a leadership style defined by resilience, forgiveness, and unity. Despite 27 years of incarceration, Mandela emerged not with a vengeance but with a vision of a united, non-racial South Africa. His style was distinctively inclusive, harnessing the power of unity and diversity to reconcile a nation torn apart by apartheid and violent occurrences in the face of racism and discrimination. Mandela’s leadership, like Gandhi’s, wasn’t reliant on wealth or titles. Instead, he used his personal experiences, charisma, and vision to draw people from different backgrounds together. This method worked because it addressed the deep-seated need for societal healing and unity. Needless to say, Mandela’s Presidency is still commended to this day in South Africa and beyond.

On the other hand, Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, presented a stark contrast to Gandhi and Mandela. Trump’s leadership style was authoritative and business-oriented. As a billionaire businessman, he did not shy away from leveraging his wealth and brand. His direct communication, often through social media, appealed to a substantial segment of the American population who felt ignored by the political establishment. Trump’s leadership style was effective because it capitalized on widespread discontent and the allure of a non-traditional political figure. Rather than act as a politician, Trump acted as an entertainer, and this gave him an advantage over his political opponents – an advantage that he leveraged to the full.

Contrasting these three leaders is Adolf Hitler, whose leadership was marked by extreme nationalism, charisma, and autocracy. Hitler’s style was manipulative, leveraging propaganda and fear to consolidate power. He created an illusion of economic prosperity and national pride, camouflaging the horrifying racial and territorial ambitions that led to World War II. Hitler’s leadership worked, albeit disastrously, because it exploited the economic anxieties and nationalistic sentiments of the time.

Despite the vast differences, these leaders also share some commonalities. For starters, there are similarities in the tactics employed by Trump and Hitler when it comes to firing up their crowd. Likewise, there are similarities between all four leaders when it comes to tapping into the zeitgeist of their time and location, identifying societal needs or fears to rally support. These four leaders’ styles were marked by a strong vision and effective communication, albeit with varying degrees of morality and truth. However, it is fair to say that all of them understood that leadership was not merely about power, money, or titles but about the ability to influence and inspire.

Finally, it is essential to state that effective leadership is not monolithic. The styles of Gandhi, Mandela, Trump, and Hitler teach us that leaders can wield influence through various means: moral force, resilience, business acumen, or even manipulation. Their contrasting approaches underline the fact that various leadership styles can prove effective, provided they resonate with the spirit of the era in which the leader operates. Needless to say, the enduring legacy of leaders lies not just in their ability to amass power and influence but in how they use it. Herein lies a critical lesson for contemporary and future leaders: Leadership is not merely about achieving goals but about the ethical and moral considerations of how those goals are achieved. Although it’s indisputable that Gandhi, Mandela, Trump, and Hitler all held leadership roles, it’s equally true that history will not, and should not, accord them the same measure of recognition.