Leadership grand strategies for 21st century: lessons from Ataturk

Abstract

The recent increase in contemporary problems of freedom and independence became a major concern for many people throughout the world. Strategic leaders of private and public organizations and governments have been looking for new strategies to solve these problems. The objective of this study is an attempt to develop appropriate leadership strategies for solving these problems by studying Ataturk's leadership strategies. Ataturk's leadership grand strategies were the most successful in the twentieth century. Although, Ataturk's strategies took place decades ago, current needs for leadership strategies are similar to those of the past. Ataturk's strategies ended the authoritarian leadership practices of the Ottoman leaders by abolishing the Sultanate and the Caliphate. Grand strategies played the key role for founding the Democratic Turkish Republic. Ataturk's leadership grand strategies studied in this paper include, strategy of gaining and defending freedom and independence. The strategies of democratizing political activities and educating people played important role for maintaining freedom and independence. The paper explains the nature, policies and techniques of these strategies and presents some useful lessons for the contemporary and future leaders. Ataturk demonstrated that if the grand strategies can be utilized cooperatively, they can achieve freedom and independence under even severe difficult conditions. The member of each organization and citizens of each nation have to understand the value of a shared vision and commit themselves to achieve it. They can win every war against even the most powerful adversaries if they commit themselves for utilizing grand strategies like Ataturk did.