Margaret Thatcher
Was a British politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and the Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century and is the only woman to have held the became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style. As Prime Minister, she implemented policies that have come to be known Margaret born on 13th October 1925 in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. Thatcher became a Conservative member of parliament for Finchley in North London in 1959, serving until 1992. According to Jeff (2013), she was a first woman prime minister in Europe and the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century. Volkery (2013) stated that Soviet journalist called Thatcher as “Iron Lady”. Dominant Personalities Extroversion refers a person is outgoing, sociable, and comfortable talking to new people. I think Thatcher have a high degree of extroversion. She was willing to meet and talk with people that she had not met before. For example, Thatcher was a first foreign visitor meet Ronald Reagan in United States and she received the warmest possible welcome. After the meeting, they formed a very close personal friendship. Moreover, Thatcher also was a sociable leader. In 1982 she was a first British prime

minister to visit China for a discussion with Deng Xiaoping about independence of Hong Kong (Cottrell, 1992). Emotional stability refers a person is calm, secure and high self-confidence. Extremely high level of self-confident was one of the characteristics of Thatcher. This means she was a leader who willing takes risks and very confidence about her decision. Her economy policy success transformed the city of London. The economy in England had become more productive and more profitable. The decision had she made was decreased direct taxes, increased indirect taxes, and increased interest rates (Smith, 2013). Thatcher was pride of having a nickname called “Iron Lady” which created by Soviet Journalist in 1976 (Gray, 2013). Leadership Style An autocratic leader should be control all activities and tend to centralize authority. I think Thatcher was a famous autocratic leader. Thatcher has said; “I don’t mind how much my Ministers talk, so long as they do what I say” (igreens.org, 2006). Her style of management is “do what I say” so people has to obey the command that she give. Furthermore, I think Thatcher was taught be self-help and make decision by her own since she was child. This characteristic has influent a lot of her leadership style. However, Thatcher was a leader who never afraid to stand up for her faith. For instance, Gregory (2013) reported that she had tried to change Britain from a dependent to a selfreliant society.

Significant factors Most of the people know and agreed Thatcher was a famous but unsuccessful leader. I think it is very hard to judge whether is her personality or autocratic style affected her performance in politic. She was underestimated of autocratic style which could lead her politic life downfall. According to Wade (2002, p.21), one of the factors that cause Thatcher failed is she forgot she was acting an autocratic leader in democratic environment. In 1980, Thatcher had an unforgettable speech at the Conservative Party Conference. She said; “You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning.” Actually, it showed that she was the stubbornness leader without consider other opinion or warned by others. A new system of taxation called the poll tax which destroyed her politic life as she refusal to consider other opinions (Kaiser & Kaplan, 2013). Moreover, I think the other factor caused Thatcher failed because she was a task-oriented leader who only willing concentrated about goal achievement. Thatcher was not respects others ideas and feelings. As a result, many cabinet colleagues showed that they did not want to cooperate with her anymore. It forced her made the decision to resign in 1990 (margaretthatcher.org ). Lim Guan Eng Lim Guan Eng was born on 8th December 1960. His father is Lim Kit Siang who was Leader of the Opposition. Lim is the fourth Chief Minister of the State of Penang. According to dapmalaysia.org (2008) stated Lim also is Secretary-General of the Malaysian Democratic Action Party (DAP). His wife is Betty Chew Gek Cheng , a member of DAP and has four

children. Dominant Personalities Conscientiousness refers a person is responsible, determined and achievement-orient (Lim & Daft, 2004, p.125). For me Lim has high level of conscientious. He is not easily distracted when he tries to achieve the goal. For example, Lim spoke out against the rape of a 15 years old schoolgirl by Tan Sri Abdul Rahim who was Chief Minister of the State of Malacca (The Choice, Radio 4, BBC, May 1998). He had been judge to three years imprisonment but the minister has not been charged because lack of evidence. However, Lim had said; “Even if I fail and have to go to jail, I have no regrets.” Furthermore, Lim put a lot of efforts in changing Penang become a desirable place for tourists, a green city and a main economic city. Agreeableness is refers a person is good-natured, forgiving and able understanding others (Lim & Daft, 2004, p.125). I think Lim has high level of agreeableness and he seems to be a warm person. David Johnston who is Governor General of Canada had an official visit Penang on 15th November 2011.Lim was very welcomed Johnston’s first visit to Penang. I think Johnston had a wonderful two days trip after walked around Penang Heritage Trail with Lim. Also, Lim has good relationship with Anwar that showed Lim can make friend easily. Leadership style Lim represent a democratic leader who willing encourages members, making decision with group members, and respects idea from members (Lim & Daft, 2004, p.51). Lim showed considering about traffic congestion. So he had

introduced a free of charge shuttle bus which was Bridge Express Shuttle Transit (BEST).The aims of the bus service was to increase usage of public transport, which will reduce traffic congestion on the Penang Bridge. Lim has encouraged of creativity from others. In addition, Penang was the first state who promotes cycling is a healthy activity and people should reduce dependency on motor vehicles. Lim initiated the Car Free Day be held every Sunday on 11th December 2001 at particular stretches of roads in Penang. By 2020, government is considering to set up bicycle lanes around Penang Island. Significant factors I think Lim is one of a successful leader who is democratic leader in Malaysia. Lim put a lot of effort in economy. This is one of the factor lead he to be success. The data showed there is 465% increase of the total investment compared with 2009 and 2010 in Penang. In the following year as 2011, Penang becomes one of the top manufacturing investments in Malaysia. Furthermore, the public debt in 2008 has decreased from RM630 million to RM30 million (The Stars News). In total investments t the second ranked was Penang which after Sarawak in Malaysia. The other factor is Lim is a leader who full of idea and very clear of what he tend to achieve. He had created a concept of Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) in governance (Lim, 2008). The slogan promoted the government in Pinang try to achieve efficient, responsible and clean governance. Moreover, the slogan was eventually achieved when the government in Penang enjoyed record

budget surpluses of total capital investments. Reflection This is first time I am doing assignment individually. I am so glad that I can finish this assignment by my own in time. At first, I have no idea what APA about and it really makes me confusing. This is my first time using APA format for my first assignment. APA format is so complicated that make me feel nervous when I am doing the assignment. However, I think I had learned a lot of leadership style and personalities of leader while doing the assignment. Leadership is a very interesting course that can help me to understand what personalities a leader should have.

I think a leader should have ability to lead a team and willing care for team member. Apparently I am most likely to be a democratic leader than autocratic leader. I am more considering friends than task. A democratic leader has more followers than autocratic leader. Also, democratic leader is more productive because the leader willing has group discussion with team member and respect their idea. Democratic leader is same as people-oriented style. However, autocratic leader can refers as task-oriented leader. During my high school years, I was teacher’s assistant who responsible for collected the exercise book and prevented plagiarizes between students. Every morning, I had to collect homework from the whole class. They had to pass up to me in the morning then I had to make a record. But always had several students were asked for other’s homework that already passed up to me, they tried to be “copycat”. It supposed should be an easy work for me. Yet, I was very struggle should I reject request by my friends about

plagiarizes homework or should I accept the request which will let me into trouble? The problem I had faced was I have to decide which is more important to me either is friend or task. In fact I think everyone have to experience this situation which is so hard to make a decision. We can determine what kind of leader are we by our decision. Of course, there have many issues which can affect us to be an autocratic leader or democratic leader. The example of me was happened in high school, I did not seem my friend as a threat and I need them to be my friend for so many years. So at that time I definitely want to be a democratic leader which considering others. In contrast, if I am in the working environment and ability of the other colleagues is higher than me, I will seem them as competitor. At that time, I would like be an autocratic leader because I want to be task oriented. Also, if I have a project that requires team work I need to deal and discuss with my colleagues, I might switch to people-oriented which is democratic leader. I think people will keep changing their leadership style because of the environment, who they working with, and type of the project. In addition, I think a leader who is democratic can work best only when the average of ability of the team member are equal. On the other hand, the leader who is autocratic can achieve goal even though he or she makes decision by her or him own. But it does not work on a project that requires team work. It is very hard to require balance for a leader who is autocratic leader and democratic leader at the same time. The situation will be either she or he has high level of autocrat or high level of democrat. Most of the famous

leaders in politic are more likely be autocratic leader but the people who play the role of democratic leader are most likely be a businessman or businesswoman. In conclusion, I think being an excellent leader should combine people oriented together with task oriented.