The missile crisis in Cuba in the 1960s marked one of the darkest moments of the cold war era. US and USSR came on the verge of destroying each other using nuclear technology. J. F. Kennedy of the USA, Fidel Castro of Cuba, and Nikita Khrushchev of Russia each adopted unique leadership styles that almost drove the world into nuclear war. However, it is clear that a combination of different types of leadership during the crisis until the end of the crisis when both sides signed a peace accord that saw the withdrawal of the nuclear warheads from Cuba by the Soviet Union. Fidel adopted an aggressive populist leadership style that, in many ways, resembled a modern-day visionary leadership style. He inspired a shared vision of the progress of Cuba, albeit through a common enemy, the American capitalist society (Peter Jennings, 2013). On the other hand, J.F. Kennedy applied a more strategic-thinking leadership system throughout the crisis. Although he was strongly opposed to the confrontation tactics with Cuba, he agreed to CIA operations to support the insurgency troops against Fidel Castro’s rule. Nikita Khrushchev was a pragmatic and opportunistic leader who strongly believed in issued-based techniques to ensure every decision was in the best interests of his country (Peter Jennings, 2013). For example, despite his close relations with Cuba and hostility with the US, he agrees to a diplomatic truce with them in a move that angers Cuba’s, Fidel Castro. The three leaders, in their ways, adopted styles that suited the needs and issues that faced their countries. To conclude, the US president’s approach and Russia's approach was more transactional, inspired by their national interests. As a result, it helped end the Cuban Nuclear missile crisis. On the other hand, Castro was more visionary and a crusader-style who is driven by a vision of independence from American influence at whatever cost to his people.
References
Peter Jennings. (2013, January 4). The missiles of October: What the world didn't know (1992) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMYumVM1rZM
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