Depiction of a Compelling Leader in Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

What makes a person a compelling leader? In the book, Ender Games written by Orson Scott Card, human life is threatened by the expectation of a war with the buggers, a technologically advanced, species that have previously threatened to obliterate the Earth. Population control on Earth is strictly enforced and people do not have freedom to practice speech, religion and many others. There is extensive government spying into the private lives of families and young children. The International Fleet asks young children to leave their parents and serve as soldiers/commanders to fight against the buggers. Out of this society has emerged Ender Wiggin who illustrates the theme that being a compelling leader is about trust not power through gaining respect and trust on his soldiers. 

Ender demonstrates the enduring truth about leadership. Leadership is not about being powerful but respect and trust. Trust looks to be the key attribute joined with leadership. After battle with the Buggers on the international fleet, Ender evaluates what he thinks of each of his soldiers, the author states, “They also knew that Ender trusted them, to do as they judged best when he gave them no orders, If their style of fighting were not right for the situation they were placed, Ender would have not chosen them for that work.” Good leaders know their followers. A leader cannot lead if his followers don't trust him. Ender didn’t pick any objective for his soldiers that they can’t do. 

A leader discovers the troopers issues and tries to help them, however it's the trust that his followers hold on Ender. He made it a priority to know everything about his soldiers, their strengths, their weaknesses, their goods and bads. In practice, he drove them hard, he was friendlier and helped each member of his Army achieve their highest potential.

Ender is authoritative because he is a perfect example of effective leadership. He demonstrates that leadership is not just about power, that these are merely about esteem and power. By trusting his team to achieve their goals, he earned their trust in return, making sure his team keeps their skills sharp, he ensured that they could adapt for what is coming and he ensured that his teams thrived and won fights which gained him respect. We can surely learn what it takes to be a leader. We have to know our people and have to develop faith in our soldiers and in return we earn respect from them. Leaders inspire others to look up to them by telling the truth, being honest with what they promise and living earnestly.