Vasco da Gama

As a leader, Vasco da Gama was a decisive and determined navigator who demonstrated exceptional maritime skill in his pioneering voyage to India. He was known for his ability to command loyalty among his crew and for his unyielding commitment to achieving Portugal's strategic goals of expanding trade and influence. However, his leadership was also marked by ruthlessness, as he used intimidation and violence to secure dominance over local populations and competitors, reflecting the often brutal realities of European imperialism during the Age of Exploration.