Max DePree, author of Leadership is an Art, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last one is to say thank you. Between the two, the leader is a servant” (Forbes). In Lord of the Flies, Ralph is chosen as the leader to lead the boys in an untouched microcosm. Its choices in terms of communication, application of rules and definition of priorities deserve to be defended and criticized. Although it is difficult to be a leader of young boys stranded on an island, Ralph's leadership is good at first and gradually becomes ineffective as the boy becomes more and more susceptible to savagery. At first, Ralph's way of communicating, enforcing rules, and setting priorities is competent because the boys are not yet vulnerable to savagery. Once Ralph is elected leader, he lets Jack choose what the role of Jack's altar boys can be on the island. Jack wants his altar boys to become "hunters" and, at the time, Ralph agrees with Jack that this is an excellent idea and they "smile at each other with shy sympathy" (Golding 23). Ralph's communication with Jack is good here because Ralph agrees with what Jack wants. He doesn't disagree with Jack, which is important because Jack is most likely hurt after losing the election to Ralph. According to Ralph, Jack is a valuable person on the island and it is essential to listen to his opinions and desires, because Jack knows his own mind. Although Ralph builds a harmonious relationship with Jack, he does not have one with Piggy. When he blurts out Piggy's nickname to the boys, even though Piggy desperately tells Ralph not to, Piggy gets upset. Ralph hesitates on what to say to Piggy, between an apology and an insult and ends up telling Piggy that Piggy's name is "better Piggy than Fat" with "d...... middle of paper." .... dirty thief” (Golding 179). This is poor communication because insulting Jack would only drive Jack to anger and violence. Ralph basically calls for violence. Jack acts hastily out of anger and asks the boys to tie Sam and Eric up with rope. Bonding Sam and Eric motivates the boys deeper into savagery. Although it is difficult to be a leader of young boys stranded on an island, Ralph's leadership is good at first and gradually becomes ineffective as the boy becomes more and more susceptible to savagery. Golding shows the continued growth towards complete savagery and as the boys grow up, Golding also shows how rules and savagery cannot exist in the same world. It would have been nice to advise Ralph that the first important step a leader is supposed to take is to define reality and the last thing is to say thank you while being a servant in between..