Comparing vanguard leaders: Exploring key Leadership attributes and their links to individual, group, and societal outcomes
Date
2026
Authors
Muzyka, Allison
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Abstract
The prevalence of socio-political vanguard groups has grown in contemporary Western society. Although existing research has examined the ideologies, processes, and impacts of these groups, far less attention has been given to the leaders who shape them and to the attributes of vanguard leadership. Addressing this gap, this study compares and contrasts key characteristics of vanguard leadership through comparative case studies of George Lincoln Rockwell, Malcolm X, and Guy Debord. Using a most similar systems design, the research draws on biographical sources, archival documents, and qualitative and historical content analysis to assess each leader’s traits, skills, behaviours, goals, and strategies. The findings show that while all three cases exhibit core attributes from existing theories of vanguard leadership, there is variation in team leadership, team behaviours, establishing vanguard leader credibility, and shaping public influence. These differences affected the outcomes of one of the case studies, including their ability to build committed followings, sustain momentum, and affect cultural or political discourse. This study advances vanguard leadership theory by identifying specific leader attributes that help explain the variation in short- and long-term outcomes. By comparing and contrasting vanguard leader traits, skills, behaviors, goals, and strategies, this research identified similarities and differences in how these leaders operate and how their leadership attributes may relate to their broader socio-political impact.
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Vanguard Leadership