Margaret Thatcher Leadership research

1. Margaret ThatcherLeadership research In office4 May 1979-28 November 1990 Fang Zi Ying Tay Jia Shin Jonathon Koh Jun Jie Ernest Cheong Yi Ern

2. Contents • Biography • Political work and roles • Strengths of Margaret Thatcher’s leadership • Weaknesses of Margaret Thatcher’s leadership • Conclusion

3. Biography

4. Early Life • Grew up in Grantham, Lincolnshire • Composed of a closely-bonded conservative community. • Attended Somerville College, Oxford

5. Early Life • Her Father, Albert Roberts, has vastly shaped her political conviction. • Methodist Father is active in local religion and politics • Brought her up as a strict Methodist • Frequently talked with Margaret on issues of the day

6. Early Political Career • She received her first taste of politics in her mid-twenties • Ran as the Conservative candidate of Dartford in the 1950-1951 General Election, with both resulting in defeat. • Nevertheless, she cut the opposing Labour majority sharply and hugely enjoyed the experience. • Interestingly, she had little difficulty getting a hearing from any audience, speaking easily with confidence on issues which mattered to the voters.

7. Career

8. Career

9. Political Career • After the Conservatives were defeated in 1974, Thatcher challenged Heath for the leadership of the party. • To the surprise of many, she defeated him in both ballots and won. • In the 1979 general election, Conservatives came to power and she became prime minister

10. Prime Minister 1st Term • Pledged to check and reverse Britain’s economic decline, she implemented many painful measures. • Privatization of state-owned industries and utilities • Reform of the trade unions • Lowering of taxes and reduced social expenditure • Her policies succeeded in reducing inflation, but unemployment dramatically increased. Re-election seemed unlikely

11. Prime Minister 1st Term • A military victory in the Falklands War in 1983 made the electorates extremely impressed • This allowed her to win a landslide victory in the 1983 general election. • In 1984, she narrowly escaped death when IRA planted a bomb at the Conservative Part Conference in Brighton

12. Prime Minister 2nd Term • In foreign affairs, Thatcher cultivated a close political relationship with US president Ronald Reagan • Based on a common mistrust of communism • Free-market economic ideology

13. Prime Minister 2nd Term • Thatcher was nicknamed the 'Iron Lady' by the Soviets. • She warmly welcomed the rise of reformist Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. • Played a constructive part in the diplomacy that smoothed the break-up of the Soviet Empire

14. Prime Minister 3rd Term • In the 1987 general election, Thatcher won an unprecedented third term in office. • Made controversial policies such as the poll tax and her opposition to any closer integration with Europe • produced divisions within the Conservative Party • Led to a leadership challenge • In November 1990, she agreed to resign • Succeeded as party leader and prime minister by John Major.

15. Margaret Thatcher Political work

16. Duration as prime minister • Was Britain’s first female prime minister • Served for three terms, from 1979 to 1990

17. Privatisation • An advocate of privatisation of state-owned industries and utilities, reform of the trade unions, the lowering of taxes and reduced social expenditure across the board • Her policies succeeded in reducing inflation, but unemployment skyrocketed as many workers were left jobless.

18. Trade Unions • Margaret Thatcher set out to reduce the power of trade unions • However this resulted in many strikes and the loss of millions of working days • Her impact was such that trade unions were effectively crippled for one generation

19. Foreign affairs • Margaret Thatcher formed a strong alliance with then U.S. President Ronald Reagan, based on their mutual distrust of Communism and their free-market economic ideology. • The 1982 Falklands War was handled superbly by Margaret Thatcher and Argentina was defeated

22. Defining certain key terms

23. What is leadership? • Can be defined as: the process of influencing, inspiring and supporting others to work towards the achievement of group goals • In our case, Margaret Thatcher’s leadership is political leadership • How is leadership measured?

24. What method is used to measure leadership? • Trait Theory – leadership qualities • Path goal theory – it is the leaders job to assist followers in attaining their goals and to provide the necessary direction and/or support to ensure that their goals are compatible with the overall objectives of the group or the organization.

25. What are some qualities of a leader? • Dynamic – Able to change his leadership style • Tactful • Motivation • Good oration / communication • Foresightedness • Good analyser • Interactions –Understand his followers better • Supportive • Job Related Knowledge • Confidence

26. What should a political leader do? What should a leader do? • Garner support of his people • Makes decisions for the greater good • Integrity and loyal to his people • Bring out the best in his people • Give new hope and enthusiasm • Lead by example • Guide his people

27. What are some leadership qualities that Margaret Thatcher possess? • Confident • “Iron-willed” • Persistent • Decisive • Hardworking • Committed • Able to install several new effective policies

29. Why do you say that Margaret Thatcher possesses these leadership qualities?

30. Hardworking • Displayed constant hard work during her school days • Won a scholarship for Somerville College • Eventually she went to Oxford in 1943 to study in Natural Sciences with a specialization in Chemistry

31. Persistence • She faced several rejections before being elected as a Member of Parliament in 1959 election • Lost the 1950 and 1951 election from Dartford • Between 1950 and 1958 she was rejected several times in her pursuit of a safe Conservative seat • After a hard campaign, she eventually gained a seat for Finchley in April 1958

32. Decisive • Put up a Private Member’s Bill requiring local council meeting to be held in public • Her first speech in its support was instrumental in getting it passed by the Parliament • In 1961, she voted against the Conservative party’s official stand and voted for restoration of birching • Opposed mandatory price and income control • Believed would distort the economy • Against the Government’s high tax policy, • Low taxes work as an incentive and motivation to work hard. Corporal punishment with a birch rod, typically applied to the recipient's bare buttocks

33. Confident • Youngest ever female conservative candidate, yet she stood for the 1950 and 1951 election from Dartford

34. Committed • Almost assassinated by IRA (Irish Republican Army), which bombed her hotel where she was staying to attend the Conservative Party Conference • Refused to be cowed down by the act and insisted that the conference be held on schedule and at the same venue

35. Visionary; install effective policies • Initiated new economic policies • Successfully managed the Irish crisis • Recaptured the Falkland Islands from Argentina • Reduced the power of trade unions • Privatisation: • transferring the ownership of business from the public sector to the private sector • Thatcherism: reduced role of the state in economy • Influenced government thinking in other countries as well • British Airways • Emulated by more than 50 countries

37. Are we making any assumptions? • Are we assuming that being such a successful leader, Margaret Thatcher did not make any mistakes in her political career? • No. • Her combative personality and overriding opinions of colleagues gave rise to discontent against her within the party • Introduction of poll tax in 1989 • Unpopular and led to a lot of riots and decreased support for the Party

38. But great leaders make mistakes too: • Theodore Roosevelt was a great leader Example: • In 1907, Theodore Roosevelt decided to send the US navy on a round-the-world cruise, believing the event would prove America's power and strength. • But by using his position as Commander-in-Chief to avoid negotiations with Congress, Roosevelt's actions set a dangerous precedent for presidents to exert total power.

40. What are the direct implications of Thatcher’s strengths? • Able to remain Prime Minister of England for 11 years (three consecutive terms) • One of the most dominant and popular women leaders of the 20th century

41. What are the indirect implication of Thatcher’s strengths? • Thatcherism • Privatisation • Reducing the power of trade unions • UK’s economy prospered, due to Thatcher’s structuring of the labour market • Nationalised industries were sold off to the public – every one share the wealth of the nation

43. Are these strengths a true representation of Margaret Thatcher? • Might have put up a public façade, like Eva Peron • However, based on her contributions, she is a good leader by making critical decisions that has helped shape England. • Leadership is difficult to measure, subjective, as well as difficult to define • It means different things to each person

45. Is there an example of a great leader with Thatcher’s qualities? • Her determination and hard work are most representative of her traits • Winston Churchill possesses determination: “We shall go on to the end.  We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be.  We shall fight on beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

47. Is determination really necessary for a great leader? • Yes, most leaders possess determination • It is the pre-requisite for success, without determination it is difficult to achieve anything

49. Margaret Thatcher’s weaknesses and mistakes Jonathan Koh 3S2

50. Major Weakness • Stubborn/inflexible • Saw taking a U-turn was a sign of weakness • Felt people would think less of her if she went back on a policy