Question

Consider the four elements of effective leadership from earlier in this lesson (honesty, communication, commitment, and confidence), and write one paragraph explaining how either Rockefeller or Carnegie exhibited one of these traits throughout his career. Use specific details to support your response.

Answer 1

Rockefeller displayed enormous amounts of confidence throughout his career. Starting as a bookeeper, he risked all his savings ($800) dollars when he was twenty in order to partner in business with Maurice B. Clark. He once again risked his business by starting his own oil company in 1870, Standard Oil Company. Rockefeller summarized his life by saying:

I was early taught to work as well as play,

My life has been one long, happy holiday;

Full of work and full of play—

I dropped the worry on the way—

And God was good to me everyday.

Rockefeller displayed a worry-free attitude and considered himself lucky. This shows that the businessman had a lot of confidence in his work.

Answer 2

Carnegie exhibited commitment throughout his career by first gaining wealth, then using that wealth to improve the general welfare. Carnegie started his work with ambition to serve the U.S and spent the rest of his life giving away more than 350 million dollars, or 67 billion in today’s money.