The most essential quality of an effective leader is the ability to remain consistently committed to particular principles and objectives. Any leader

who is quickly and easily influenced by shifts in popular opinion will accomplish little.

   The speaker contends that to be an effective leader one need hold on his principles and objectives, and who is easily influenced by others will be less likely to success. Although I admit that at some circumstances, stick to one's principles and objectives are preconditions of success, I do not agree with the speaker's conclusion that who is easily influence by others will accomplish little. As far as I am concerned, an effective leader should strike a balance between one's own beliefs and other people's suggestion. And he should keep flexibility to some extent.

  Admittedly, independent judgments and a unique vision are very important abilities to a leader. One who is quickly influence by other opinions without careful consideration will results in chaos for a nation as well as an enterprise. To a political leader, one should make forceful policies to help the nation develop stably. Change policies too often will make the masses confusion which may results in instability. F.D. Roosevelt is a very positive example that who successfully implement his policies effective and sustainable. He enacted a series of laws to construct governmental projects and improve the employment rates. At this special period, although the power is concentrate on one person, but FDR do not abuse of power and totally led America out of the swamp of financial crisis. It is his persistence and strong beliefs which resulted in the success. Similarly, consistent policies and principles are also important to a company. We can find it from a positive example General Electric, the CEO of GE whose name is Jack Welch had set a six sigma system guaranteed the qualities of the products. After many years' persistence, GE is highly praise by the consumers and became one of most successful enterprises in the world.

 And I admit that easily be influenced by others' opinions without investigation and careful consideration will lead to failures. Take Coca Cola as an example, in order to imitate the sweet flavor of Pepsi Cola, Coca Cola blindly changed the formula of the soda in 80's -20th century but rejected by the consumers. It is a very heavy price of easily shift opinions.

But hold on one's beliefs dose not mean to be stubborn. To be an effective leader, one should have a flexibility on how to execute the polices. To a politic leader, if he or she can not hear other people's opinions or never change his mind is very dangerous. Actually, this conduct amounts to authoritarianism Take Hitler as an example, his bigotry led to an authoritarian government and brought wars to the world. Similarly, never to change its principles will result in the company lose opportunities. Take Apple Computer as an example, in early age, the company over-emphasized on its high end principles on Mac and refuse any other marketing partners. And microsoft-intel model which can made a computer much cheaper soon occupied the PC markets. And since then, Apple lost its advantages in PC markets for ever. And the then-CEO of the Apple Computer was be blamed a lot and finally was expelled by board.

   From what has been discussed, we can draw a conclusion that to be an effective leader, one should have his own visions and principles, but should not be stubborn.  A good leader should strike a balance between his own principles and others' opinions. The best way to be an effective leader is one can make forceful policies and adjust the strategy according to others reasonable opinions. It is a perfect leadership.