Leadership Characteristics: MacDonald - Paper Example

Introduction

Sir John Macdonald was born on January 11, 1815, in Glasgow, Scotland, to Hugh Macdonald and Helen Shaw and died on June 6, 1891, in Ottawa, Ontario (Johnson & Marshall, 2017). He was the first president of the Dominion of Canada from 1867 to 1873 and later from 1879 to 91. At the age of five, his family shifted to Kingston in Upper Canada, the present-day Ontario. His father was a merchant in Kingston and Adolphus town Township who had achieved a recommendable reputation leading to his appointment as a magistrate at Midland District in 1829 (Johnson & Marshall, 2017). MacDonald received a good education from Midland District Grammar and a private Co-educational school in Kingston. The prestigious school provided a premise on which he studied law as his career choice. His exemplary performance at an early age earned him a managerial role at Mackenzie's office in Napanee and later at Lowther Pennington Macpherson law firm (Johnson & Marshall, 2017).

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In August 1835, he opened his law firm six months before formally admitted to the bar. MacDonald gained public attention through his unique and, at times, sensational cases he choice to litigate on. Cases such as the 1837 rape case involving William Brass and the 1838 case involving Nils Von accused of involvement in the rebellion and border raids gave him prominence. In 1839, MacDonald was appointed as the director of the Commercial Bank of the Midland District (Infogalactic, 2016). Throughout the 1840s to 1860, MacDonald was involved in real estate development in Kingston, Guelph, and Toronto. His role as an agent of British investors in Canadian real estate earned him a reputation leading to his appointment as the president of St Lawrence Warehouse, Dock and Wharfage Company, and directorships in at least ten firms (Infogalactic, 2016). However, amid all these successes, in 1857, his wife Isabella Clark died after a long back with somatization disorder, which she had suffered from after barely two years into marriage. John had also, within that period, lost his first-born child, Alexandra, who had died at the age of 13 months.

MacDonald leadership role

Proponents argue that the political orientations of MacDonald had been propagated by his legal mentor George Mackenzie. He was elected as a conservative for Kingston in 1844. His first political appointment was in 1847- 48 serving as receiver general in Cabinet for seven months, and later as commissioner of crown lands in William and Henry Sherwood administration (Infogalactic, 2016). After his resignation in 1848, John would join the political arena in1854 as the Attorney General for Upper Canada under Sir Allan and Augustin -Norbert coalition government. The abolition of the clergy reserves act was MacDonald's first legislative breakthrough that led to a long-standing and contentious issue (Infogalactic, 2016).

In 1856, he became the leader of the Upper Canadian section after the ouster of MacNab. He oversaw the introduction and execution of fundamental legislation such as the 1857 Act providing asylum for the criminally insane, the 1866 Municipal Institutions Act, and the Civil Service Act of 1857. Reforms witnessed within this period necessitated the formation of the Liberal-conservative party in 1857 with Macdonald at its leaders and later as the prime minister of Canada. During his tenure, Canada experienced territorial advancement with expansions to Manitoba in 1870, British Columbia in 1871, Prince Edward Island 1873, and the Pacific Scandal of 1873 (Infogalactic, 2016). However, the pacific scandal was criticized for corruption necessitating MacDonald's resignation. He would, however, return to the political arena five years later as a prime minister till his demise.

Importance of MacDonald leadership

The charismatic nature of MacDonald earned him a soft spot amongst his antagonists. They could easily be swayed into passing legislation. His confidence amid controversies like the pacific scandal led to the territorial expansion of Canada. Innovativeness, open-mindedness, and good communications always worked in favor of MacDonald (Infogalactic, 2016). These qualities form the premise of any civilized leader who is result-oriented and transformative.

Controversy

Territorial annexation during the pacific scandal and the Louis Riel precipitated animosity between the French-speaking and English- speaking (Mills, 2012). Macdonald also enacted provisions that have been considered as racist in the recent past against the Chinese immigrants. His heavy drinking was all but inevitable; nevertheless, his unique intrinsic values were flawless.

Summary

Leaders in all works of life need to conscious of diversity in their society, remain mindful of every civilization's aspiration and respect the fundamental belief of these societies. Good leaders must cultivate ethics of trust, integrity, and respect for human dignity in all their doings.

References

Infogalactic. (2016). John A. Macdonald. Retrieved September 24, 2020. https://infogalactic.com/info/John_A._Macdonald.

Johnson, J., & Marshall, T. (2017). Sir John A. Macdonald. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 24, 2020. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-john-alexander-macdonald

Mills, C. (2012). What makes a great PM? Sir John A. Macdonald biographer weighs in. Retrieved September 24, 2020.The Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/what-makes-a-great-pm-sir-john-a-macdonald-biographer-weighs-in/article1390960/