James Oglethorpe: A True Trailblazer

James Oglethorpe
Picture source:
 http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/james-oglethorpe-1696-1785
This week in Leadership we discussed two leadership theories—the path-goal theory and the leader-member exchange theory. This week I was most impressed with the path-goal theory so it will be the focus of this week’s post. The path-goal theory focuses on the follower's motivations and suggests that good leaders adjust their style to what motivates their followers. According to this theory, leaders may demonstrate directive leadership, supportive leadership, participative leadership, or achievement oriented leadership. The style of leadership used depends on the follower and the situation. For example, in the instance of a new project with a new employee, leaders would likely behave in a more directive manner. Most notably the leader in the path-goal theory does four main things for followers: he defines the goal, clarifies the path, removes any obstacles, and provides needed support (Northouse, 2016, p. 16). These four tidbits are what I believe to be the main characteristics of a truly effective leader. Good leaders are trailblazers who give instruction, provide direction, and give support.

I began to think about some examples of true trailblazing leadership. Many names came to mind. However, I recently vacationed in Savannah, Georgia. While there I took a trolley tour and heard all about Georgia’s founding. I was very impressed with the leadership of James Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia. To me, he perfectly portrays the path-goal leadership theory. For the remainder of this blog post, I will provide the story of Oglethorpe’s great undertaking, his leadership abilities, and how he was able to create a colony.

Defining the Goal

James Edward Oglethorpe was born in 1696 in England (Oglethorpe, 2017).  As an adult, he served in the House of Commons, and he was particularly interested in social reform (Cyndi, Old Savannah Tours). Oglethorpe served as the chairman of a parliamentary committee looking into penal conditions. He became particularly “interested in the plight of the debtor classes” while in this position (Oglethorpe, 2017). To help this class of people and to provide a much-needed buffer between British South Carolina and Spanish Florida, Oglethorpe along with 19 others received a 21-year charter from King George II to establish Georgia (Oglethorpe, 2017). Oglethorpe and his 19 partners became trustees for the new colony and Oglethorpe became solely responsible for all aspects of colonial life.

To begin his great endeavor, Oglethorpe carefully hand-picked his colonists. He was careful to choose people with skills like carpenters, tailors, and bakers (Jackson, 2003). He was so selective, in fact, that not a single “formerly jailed debtor” would be among the first colonists (Jackson, 2003). Oglethorpe also chose only married men and families to settle in the colony because he believed families to be the most productive, most focused type of people (Cyndi, Old Savannah Tours). 114 men, women and children were chosen for the venture and Oglethorpe himself joined his followers on their journey to the colony (Jackson, 2003).

Planning the Town of Savannah
Picture source:
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/james-oglethorpe-1696-1785
Removing Obstacles

Even in the earliest parts of Georgia’s story, it is clear to see Oglethorpe’s leadership ability. He carefully chose settlers based on the goal—create a successful colony. He was selfless in choosing to leave all of his wealth and comforts behind and join his new settlers in Georgia. He also clarified the path and removed any obstacles for his followers. When the group arrived in the American colonies after a two-month voyage, Oglethorpe left the group to rest in South Carolina while he went down to Georgia to pick the perfect spot for his colony (Jackson, 2003). The Yamacraw Bluff seventeen miles up from the mouth of the Savannah River was chosen as the site (Jackson, 2003). But a band of Creek Indians was already living there (Cyndi, Old Savannah Tours). Oglethorpe had to clear the way for his settlers, so negotiations with the Creek began. Oglethorpe was able to successfully negotiate with the Creek, and his settlers arrived in Savannah on February 12, 1733 (Jackson, 2003).

Savannah City Plan
Picture source:
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/james-oglethorpe-1696-1785
Clarifying the Path

With settlers now in Savannah, Oglethorpe became a master planner. He meticulously planned the city’s layout and included city squares, zones, and parks (Jackson, 2003).  He chose the lot sizes and house styles. He placed restrictions on land owning and he outlawed slavery (Jackson, 2003).  He and the other trustees had a grand vision for the colony to be classless and hard-working with each head-of-household working his own land and defending the land (Jackson, 2003).  In addition to outlawing slavery, Oglethorpe also outlawed hard liquor and lawyers (Drummond & Pettit, 2017). He believed each man should also be able to defend himself in the court of law (Drummond & Pettit, 2017). Oglethorpe, with his detailed planning and law-making, laid the groundwork for Georgia’s early success.

Providing Support

Oglethorpe would remain in the Georgia colony until 1743 when he was forced to return to England (Jackson, 2003). His initial support and leadership in the founding of the Georgia colony provided the colony with the firm foundation and plan it needed to thrive for years to come. Oglethorpe provides a prime example of leadership. He demonstrates the path-goal theory flawlessly. He made “the path to the goal clear and easy to travel through coaching and direction, removing any obstacles and roadblocks” (Northouse, 2016, p. 115).

I hope you have enjoyed reading this week’s post. Be sure to check in next week for another discussion of leadership. You can find my blog anytime at http://exploringleadershipinpublicadmin.blogspot.com/

References
Cyndi, tour guide for Old Savannah Trolley Tours. Savannah, GA.
Drummond, K. M. and Pettit, K. (2017). Colonial Georgia. Retrieved from http://georgiacolony001.weebly.com/government-and-politics.html.
Jackson, E.L. (2003). James Oglethorpe (1696-1785). New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retreieved from http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/james-oglethorpe-1696-1785
Northouse, P.G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers.

Oglethorpe, James Edward. (2017). In P. Lagasse, & Columbia University, The Columbia encyclopedia (7th ed.). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Retrieved from http://libproxy.troy.edu/login? url=http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/oglethorpe_james_edward/0? institutionId=3456

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