The Leadership Traits

EXAMINATION OF THE LEADERSHIP

ABILITY OF BONO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ................................................................................................. 3

Background .................................................................................................. 4

Current Thinking .......................................................................................... 5

Relationship to Current Leader ..................................................................... 7

Conclusion .................................................................................................... 8

References ..................................................................................................... 10

INTRODUCTION

Nearly since the formation of the band U2 in 1976, their vocalist Paul Hewson, better known as Bono, has set out to make a difference in the world. Bono first started with performing his band's music at benefit concerts, and contributing to songs that raised money for charity. Since then, he has broadened his prospective of world issues, and has greatly increased his charitable and humanitarian work.

This paper will reflect on Bono's abilities to aid underdeveloped nations with debt cancellation and AIDS, for organizations such as Drop the Debt, which erased $100 billion in Third World debt, and DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa), which not only assists with debt relief, but also helps with the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Bono is on of the co-founders of DATA, along with Bobby Shriver in 2000. Also, Bono is their main ambassador and their chief spokesperson.

In addition, this paper will analyze the scope of Bono's influence, which has made distinct changes in the way world leaders think. Also, several leadership traits and theories will be related to this celebrity activist. This paper will conclude with the hope that Bono's dedication, influence and leadership will remain relevant.

BACKGROUND

Bono was born on May 10, 1960, to Bob and Iris Hewson in Dublin, Ireland. His parents named him Paul, which remains his legal name. Bono has one brother, Norman who is seven years older. Bono married his long time girlfriend in August, 1982. The couple has four children, two boys and two girls. The nickname Bono is short for Bono Vox, which is a loose translation of a Latin phrase that means "The voice to the good man." Bono was given this nickname as student long before the band U2 was founded in 1976. Bono's mother was a Protestant and his father was a Catholic. In Dublin, Ireland during the 1960's this was somewhat of a conflict, much more so than it would be today. However, this proved to be valuable to Bono, as it made him much more accepting of people's beliefs (Schaffer, 2004).

Bono and U2 started to use the popularity of their music to help people in need when they aligned themselves with Amnesty International in the 1980's. The band also played in LIVE AID in 1985, which raised money for famine in Ethiopia. Aside from Bono and U2's many musical awards and charitable concerts, he is a man who has set out to make a difference in the world. Unlike some celebrities who get behind a cause for the sake of good public relations, Bono utilizes his "star power" to bring attention to his charitable and humanitarian work. This goes beyond the chance for a photo op, politicians and policy makers know he is legitimate. "Even politicians who want to fight global poverty need this public pressure so they can claim that it is in their own interest to act. 'Bono made me do it,' they can say." (Hicks, 2006, p.23)

CURRENT THINKING WITH CHARITABLE AND HUMANITARIAN WORK

As with most great leaders, Bono is able to see the big picture as it relates to world issues, which leads to his big goals. Though he lends his time and name to various charitable organizations, his primary goal and objective is to wipe out poverty and AIDS in underdeveloped nations. To accomplish this enormous task, Bono has enlisted the help of some very influential people, "As part of his crusade to combat Third World poverty, Bono was met with government leaders, industry titans and religious figures, including the late Pope John Paul II, who gave him a rosary during their visit." (Hilburn, 2005, p. E.1) Bono understands that every good leader needs supportive followers, and he might take the lead onstage every night, but his social activism would not be possible without the support of his band members (Hilburn, 2005). Proof of this is that, "Bono and the band have lent the title of their song "One" to a coalition of social activists. For such efforts, Bono was nominated for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize." (Hilburn, 2005, p. E.1) Recognitions such as the Nobel Peace Prize nomination are not everyday occurrences, and probably would not have been possible with the support of his band mates.

High praise has not always been the case with Bono's work on debt cancellations. Some critics question why did these countries borrow the money in the first place? To the critics Bono replies, "Countries like Tanzania or Zamia were spending twice as much of their national income servicing Cold War loans than they were on the health and education of their populace. It was obscene." Bono thinks that debt cancellation is more justice than charity, because he believes it was also irresponsible lending (Assayas, 2005).

Perhaps the greatest recognition that has been bestowed on Bono was being named one of TIME Magazine's "Persons of the Year"