The document provides reflections on leadership experiences and styles from the perspective of a student. It discusses influential leaders such as the prophet Muhammad, Nelson Mandela, and former teachers/bosses. The student emphasizes the importance of transformational leadership that inspires positive change and creates an environment where people feel valued. The document also laments the negative impact of poor leadership on organizations and the importance of strong, virtuous guidance.

1. Acknowledgments
I wish to thank Dr. Brent Carter my course leader for his
valuable advice and support. I'm really glad to be one of your
student in this class I learnt more about how the leader makes
other people feel important and appreciated. The leader excels
at creating opportunities to provide rewards, recognition and
thanks to his or her staff. A leader creates a work environment
in which people feel important and appreciated. I also want to
thank everyone who contributed directly or indirectly to this
thesis and also the students who are in my leadership class.
Journal
9/5/2013, this journal focuses on my personal leadership style
and the guidance and empathy I received from the prophet
Muhammad, My Father and former President of South Africa,
Nelson Mandela. The content of this journal highlights excerpts
from the prophet Muhammad. It provides an overview of how I
developed my strength and courage from Muhammad’s divine
religious practices. For instance, my faith leads me to believe
that my religious experience has prepared me for the Leadership
and Ethical Decision-Making course. I felt that it would be
useful to explain my knowledge. I hope this journal will help

2. the students to improve their cognitive ability in seeing, doing,
and creating strength and endurance to succeed in life. Religion
teaches us to think more clearly, and act on behalf of our life’s
experiences. Because the worst thing is that we are living in a
decayed moral state of being.
Each style of leadership charismatic and transformational
works towards completing a set of goals and both has visions
towards creating future success. Transformational leaders work
hard at trying to transform self-interest into positives. On the
other hand, charismatic leaders can motivate people to
accomplish tasks, but not always. The leadership model differs
in that, each of the leadership behavior/skill typologies are
applied different within organizations. For example, leadership
and managerial work and behavior changes with each leadership
style of management Hunt, and Conger, (1999).
My style of management compares to the
transformational style of leadership. In my organization there
are challenges and adversity that I have face daily and
routinely. My purpose as the manager in charge is to find
effective ways to deal with those issues. Issues and problems
that occur in my firm can be problematic for upper level
management. My duties are to see that issues do not occur.
What I have discovered is that in order to confront adversity; it
requires the ability to initiate change and challenge the status
quo.
Transformational leadership is more comprehensive and
stable, especially when the transformation process is well
balanced. I employ this type of leadership style effectively in
my firm. Subordinates and workers understand effective
leadership, particularly, when it is implemented correctly.
I Hope the Education System Comes Back
9/6/2013, I studied at Ahmed Shouqi Elementary School from
1982 to 1987. This school had a great reputation in my country,
Libya. The elementary school was one of the few leaning
institutions that offered remarkable opportunities to students.
Each opportunity was based in part on developing student

3. success and safe learning. Educators wanted to work at the
elementary school because of the institutions religious
philosophy and eminent values. However, parents wanted to
send their children to the school because they believed in staff
members, and they had faith in the administration; particularly,
when it came to providing a quality education to the children.
The school had excellent teachers, staff members who aided
both children and parents; especially, in useful subjects such as
Arabic philosophy and the English language, it was an
interesting syllabi, and comfortable classes. The school, had a
wonderful view, of the country-side and it was in a prime
location. Students were leaving the school with the
qualifications they needed to achieve success in the world.
Nadam, who was the head master of Ahmed Shouqi
Elementary School in Tripoli, Libya, performed her teaching
duties in a logical and comprehensive manner. For instance, he
was a professional in every way. He had turned herself into one
of the best head masters in the country. He was hardworking,
considerate, and optimistic about life. During the mid-eighties
our government had changed the education system. What this
meant that Nadam the head master had to become an active
participant as a military officer. He was called master officer.
However, soon after Nadam left the elementary school, the
school changed from one of the best in my country into the
worst one.
From the mid-eighties until the explosion of the 2011
Libyan revolution, the school had a dreadful reputation.
Teachers did not want to work there and parents did not want to
send their children there anymore. The school had valueless
teachers, helpless staff, useless subjects, boring syllabi, and
uncomfortable classes. Students were leaving the school without
the qualifications they need. How could they learn anything if
there was chaos in the classroom? The pupils clearly did not
want to go there. It was a failing school, and a school failing
the community. Now after the revolution, students do not need
to study abroad or good facilities, but need to learn with some

4. hope. As well, they need to come in contact with other ways of
thinking. What’s more, they are trying to rid of corruption, and
trying to escape from the darkness.
What I have learned as a child and now carry as a man is that
personal leadership style and the guidance and empathy I
received from the prophet Muhammad and former President of
South Africa, Nelson Mandela has kept me strong. There are
good people in the world; yet, it imperative that we understand
that they can easily be transformed into something or someone
unknown to us all; especially, if we do not have faith in
ourselves or what we believe is moral judgment. For instance,
the head master, Nadam had faith in the Ahmed Shouqi
Elementary School; but he also believed in Tripoli, Libya, her
country of birth.
Losing our father is very hard for my family
On September 9, 1997, I lost my father in a car accident when
he was coming back from my grandparent’s house. Losing my
father was very hard for me, as well as for my brothers and
sisters. He meant the world to me. Even though his job was
demanding he always found time to be with me and with my
family. We were a close knit family. My father was strict, but
a good leader and always encouraging and generous. I learned a
lot from my father.
My father, through example, taught me how to be kind and
generous with other people who need my help. My father would
frequently visit my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and family
friends to provide them with emotional and financial support.
In addition, my father would help those who were less fortunate
and could not afford medicine, food, and clothes for their
children. By observing my father’s kindness and generosity, I
learned the importance of helping those in need. I now carry on
his legacy of helping others, which I believe makes him proud
of me.
My father also encouraged me to study hard in school. He was

5. involved in my academic progress because he wanted me to
succeed. In particular, my father helped me prepare for my
final exams. He was good in math and wanted me to excel in
this subject. He would also provide tutors for my other subjects
if I felt I needed help. Sadly, my father passed away before I
graduated from high school, but his encouragement motivated
me to graduate with honors even though his death was
devastating for me. The work ethic my father taught me
continues to help me succeed in my career.
The leadership skills my father taught have also been beneficial.
Since my father’s passing I have had to take responsibility for
my family. My brothers and sisters look to me to make
important decisions about my family’s business. I have also
taken a leadership role in making sure my mother receives the
best care for her diabetes. Sometimes this requires traveling to
Tunisia to get proper medical care. When my mother was
injured in the same car accident that killed my father, I also
traveled to Italy to be by her side while she was being treated
for her injuries. My brothers and sisters also look to me for
advice in their own lives.
The death of my father has changed my life forever. I am
thankful for the times we shared and will never forget what he
taught me. I will continue to be kind and generous, as well as
succeed in my career and look after my family. I believe this is
what my father would have wanted me to do. He continues to
be with me and my family in spirit. We will never forget him,
he meant the world to me and to my family.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson, like all African leaders who are committing their
precious time in order to bring a better world, shall live forever
and their spirit will be with us forever. Long live our
presidents. Nelson Mandela, also known as Madiba and "the
Father of the Nation," was the 11th president of South Africa,
holding office from 1994 to 1999. He was the first person of
black color to gain this position, and his was the first

6. democratic election for the country. His rise to office is even
more significant considering that it came after a 27-year
imprisonment for treason. Largely credited as having ended
apartheid in this region, he is internationally recognized as a
leader of economic and social reforms and has received
hundreds of significant awards, including the Nobel Peace
Prize.
I Hope My Workmate Comes Back
Ali was in his thirties and lived in Tripoli in Libya. He has
worked for an oil company. Oil is the only export source in my
country, which makes it so important. He has been working for
that company since 2003. When he first heard that the company
sent him a letter of acceptance, he was so excited because that
was his first time to work in such a big company.
His intention was to be very creative and tried to do his best to
take this company forward and improve the way they work. His
first day at the company he was extremely happy and very
friendly when he met the employees; they were older than him,
that’s why he tried to show them his respect. He was joking and
doing his best to be closer to them.
Things started to turn over when he realized that the employees
he was working with were not what he expected and were not
interacting with him. He could not imagine such a huge
company employing people with messy minds. As he knew, any
work has a job description but he was shocked when he realized
that this big company had no job description, so he was sitting
at his desk doing nothing the whole day and when he asked his
supervisor for any job he replied "Go and try to find anything to
do", since that answer Ali was another person.
Every day he went to work. He asked himself a single question
"How I should deal with these people who I work with?" The
next day he asked one of his colleagues to show him what
exactly he did his work, he looked at him with sparkling eyes as
he was his enemy and replied "I am not the one who is
responsible to teach you". At that moment he felt sorry and
depressed to hear such an answer.

7. As Ali personality, he is friendly and easy going and he likes to
be funny with people. Ali tried to joke with one of the staff in
some way, but coworker’s reaction to Ali was not what he
expected. The employee was so mad at him and he started to
shout and said bad things to Ali which hurt his sensitive
feelings.
One day Ali entered the office looking for someone without
saying "Hi" impolitely unexpectedly one of the staff inside
jumped and shouted loudly and started to say bad things. This
made Ali out of his mind and he lost his control. That day he
went to a psychological doctor, who gave him some tablets to
calm down. After that day things got worse. He started to have
troubles also with his bosses even if he worked hard and tried to
do whatever they asked him, but instead of thanking him they
said "you are lazy and not working". He tried his best to satisfy
everyone in the company but with no success.
He became lonely, and tried to avoid everyone in the company
to stay calm. In 2009 Ali met an employee who works at the
same department and just came back from a business trip. At
first Ali didn’t respect him and tried to avoid him because of his
previous experience with the other employees, but the employee
who just came from the business trip was so friendly with Ali,
who found the employee wanted to be closer to him. Ali refused
him many times but he didn’t give up.
As the time passed, Ali started to know him better. He was so
good with all people and so patient with them, and he knew how
to deal with all personalities. Ali listens to him and to his
advice. Ali was helped keep the mind more towards the lighted.
From that time Ali feels himself changing to his normal life.
I Hope My Staff Come Back
I used to work in Al-kabier hotel from 1998 to 2000. Al-kabier
hotel, which is five stars, is the biggest one in my country. This
hotel had a good reputation in my country. I worked in Al-
kabier, in the finance department.

8. The hotel and finance department were working in a new way.
Then things changed; hotel general manager, who did not
understand with my supervisor, who was the president of the
finance department. My boss moved to other work. As well, my
colleague who was the hardware engineer moved to another
hotel.
I worked on my own in the department of finance a year. The
hotel's general manager appointed four new employees: three
men and one woman. And I had upgraded to head of the finance
department. Although one of the staff had bad manners, I did
my job in a logical and cooperative manner with my staff. We
were a team.
I was an optimistic person and I was joking and doing my best
to be closer to my staff. But all of the staff was in the darkness,
because they do their best in front of me but unless I was in our
office they did nothing.
The general manager of the hotel and director of financial
management needed me to do some illegal work. Of course I
refused that. From that day, I was in the black list. After that
my staff was doing what the general manager asked, because
they were afraid of him except one of the staff who had bad
manners.
I asked myself a single question: "How should I deal with these
people who I work with?" I could not find any answer. Then I
decided to leave the hotel. A few months later, I left the hotel
because I was not happy.
After that, all the staff of the finance department had been
transferred to another department by decision of the general
manager of the hotel, because they were not doing their work.
All the staff of the finance need strong Leader with the high
performance doing, thinking, and seeing who see clearly to help
them see and think.
Conclusion
People from different countries today do not have trust in their
leaderships. In my opinion, leaders like Muhammad and former
President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, are required in

9. today’s society, for peace, leadership, and guidance, to aid
people in developing a philosophy that will help them to think
clearly and very deeply; especially, when it comes War and
suffering. We need high performance leaders who are able to
instill value into the hearts of people. Once we create strong
leaders, we have to refrain from all of the negatives in life, and
use philosophical approaches and techniques that work. People
needsome hope to believe in themselves and who they are. Hope
may lead them out of the darkness into the light, and then they
can take action to support their endeavors to achieve prosperity
in life. That is what leadership is about. Good leaderships keep
the mind more towards the lighted. Although people are from
different countries and culture, culture and habits are strong and
full of different values.
Name________________________________ Score ______/20
REL 2040: Great Books: The Bible and Western Culture
Fall 2013
Dr. Peter Bekins
Class Journal 1. This journal is designed to help you synthesize
the content of the class lectures and
also provide me with feedback. The journal is due at the
beginning of class on Tuesday, September 17.
Week 1 Introduction
Tue Aug 27. Re-read the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-
16) and pay attention to the gaps. Identify
one gap that is due to cultural distance (i.e. something you
don’t understand, but the ancient readers
probably did). Identify a second gap that is due to modern
concerns (i.e. something you would like to
know, but the ancient readers probably did not care about).

10. Thu Aug 29. Re-read the flood story (Genesis 6-9). Summarize
the major differences between the two
doublets. What do you think of this exercise? Has it changed
your view of the Bible in any way?
Minute Summary. What one idea did you find most surprising
this week?

11. Week 2 Early Israel
Tue Sep 3. Re-read the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1-18). First,
discuss at least two reasons why
scholars think that this poem was composed well after the actual
exodus event, but that it had been
used by the Israelites in worship well before the book of Exodus
itself was written. Second, describe the
function of this song for the Israelite tribes.
Thu Sep 5. Re-read the Song of Deborah in Judges 5. List the
six tribes who are recognized for coming
to Deborah’s aid in the battle. List the four tribes who refused
to participate. According to the traditional
list of 12 tribes (see p52 in New Oxford Annotated Bible),
which tribes are not mentioned at all? Discuss
what all this reveals about the social structure and geography of
early Israel?
Minute Summary. What one idea has left you the most confused
this week?

12. Week 3 The National Literature (part 1)
Tue Sep 10. Re-read the story of the Priest and his concubine in
Judges 19. Briefly describe your initial
reaction to this story. How did it make you feel? What did you
think it means? Next, reflect on our class
discussion. What was the function of this story and why might it
have been inserted at the end of the
book of Judges?

13. Thu Sep 12. Re-read the Covenant Code (Exodus 20:22-23:33)
and compare with “Excerpts from
Hammurabi’s Law” (on Pilot). Discuss at least two specific laws
that are shared by both law codes. Why
do you think it is significant to understand that biblical law
borrows and builds upon the existing cultural
norms of the ancient Near East?
Minute Summary. What is one question that you have after this
week?
Name________________________________ Score ______/20
REL 2040: Great Books: The Bible and Western Culture
Fall 2013
Dr. Peter Bekins
Class Journal 1. This journal is designed to help you synthesize
the content of the class lectures and

14. also provide me with feedback. The journal is due at the
beginning of class on Tuesday, September 17.
Week 1 Introduction
Tue Aug 27. Re-read the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-
16) and pay attention to the gaps. Identify
one gap that is due to cultural distance (i.e. something you
don’t understand, but the ancient readers
probably did). Identify a second gap that is due to modern
concerns (i.e. something you would like to
know, but the ancient readers probably did not care about).
Thu Aug 29. Re-read the flood story (Genesis 6-9). Summarize
the major differences between the two
doublets. What do you think of this exercise? Has it changed
your view of the Bible in any way?
Minute Summary. What one idea did you find most surprising
this week?
Week 2 Early Israel
Tue Sep 3. Re-read the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1-18). First,
discuss at least two reasons why
scholars think that this poem was composed well after the actual
exodus event, but that it had been

15. used by the Israelites in worship well before the book of Exodus
itself was written. Second, describe the
function of this song for the Israelite tribes.
Thu Sep 5. Re-read the Song of Deborah in Judges 5. List the
six tribes who are recognized for coming
to Deborah’s aid in the battle. List the four tribes who refused
to participate. According to the traditional
list of 12 tribes (see p52 in New Oxford Annotated Bible),
which tribes are not mentioned at all? Discuss
what all this reveals about the social structure and geography of
early Israel?
Minute Summary. What one idea has left you the most confused
this week?
Week 3 The National Literature (part 1)
Tue Sep 10. Re-read the story of the Priest and his concubine in
Judges 19. Briefly describe your initial
reaction to this story. How did it make you feel? What did you
think it means? Next, reflect on our class
discussion. What was the function of this story and why might it
have been inserted at the end of the
book of Judges?
Thu Sep 12. Re-read the Covenant Code (Exodus 20:22-23:33)

16. and compare with “Excerpts from
Hammurabi’s Law” (on Pilot). Discuss at least two specific laws
that are shared by both law codes. Why
do you think it is significant to understand that biblical law
borrows and builds upon the existing cultural
norms of the ancient Near East?
Minute Summary. What is one question that you have after this
week?