Mahatma Gandhi's Leadership

Posted: Feb 25, 2010 |Comments:

Object 1

0 | Views: 512 |

Object 2

Object 3

Ads by Google

Human Resource Management Info on Human Resource Management Meet Greenwich Uni for Spot Admns univ-ofgreenwich.study-uk.in Need a Leadership Expert? Fortune 500 experience & trusted keynote speaker: Phillip Van Hooser vanhooser.com Leadership Tools Assessment tools and Management Consulting for Mastering Change www.adizes.dk Six Sigma Training India Six Sigma certification for Rs 6618 Limited period offer. Apply NOW iactglobal.in/sixsigma A shy and the timid boy became mature and confident man because of one event in his life, while traveling in a train, a white person in South Africa tried to throw him out because of his color, this made an everlasting impression on Mr. M. K. Gandhi and made him determined to fight against racial discrimination. Reasons which made him great were his capacity to understand the situation, understand the pulse of the people and deal with the problem creatively. Gandhi was clear in his vision that British could not be defeated through violence. Hence, he used his peaceful Satyagraha to protect against racial discrimination and economic exploitation under the British rule in India. Another important decision taken by Mahatma Gandhi was about the relation between the leader and people. Immediately after coming to India from South Africa, he traveled throughout India. He reached the conclusion that he should come to the level of people of India and live like them in order to motivate them for freedom struggle. Smart leaders don't take too may decisions. They take very few decisions and are successful in creating great impact on the outcome. Such leaders don't work within the system but upon the system. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi's decision of breaking salt law at Dandi would have been a stupid act in normal circumstances. But he decided to travel from Ahmecabad to Dandi, covering 830 kms on his feet and in the process, delivered number of speeches. This enlightened the people and they followed him. As a result of his move, Dandi Yatra became the symbol of freedom struggle. In addition to Mahatma Gandhi's leadership contribution to freedom struggle, his other sifnificant contribution was nurturing of new leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Abdul Kalam Azad, etc. Many of these leaders had different vision of future India that was not accepted by Mahatma Gandhi, but still, he encouraged them to express their views. This is a great attribute of creative leaders. In the history of 5000 years if India, no other leader has been able to motivate the masses in a way made possible by Mahatma Gandhi. This was possible because Mahatma Gandhi tried to understand people in depth, Which no other leader has succeeded.

Ads by Google

An effective leader is one who knows how much force should be used and when. Mahatma Gandhi was the master of this art. When he launched civil disobedience movement against British rule, some protesters used violence in police station at Chauri Chaura. As a consequence, Mahatma Gandhi immediately called-of the movement despite opposition from every freedom fighter. The reason why Mahatma Gandhi called of the movement was that he feared that government may take strong action which the week freedom movement may not be able to bear. Movement might have dissipated or fissled out. But the sale Mahatma Gandhi gave the call of "DO or Die" when he launched Quit India Movement. He knew that government has become week because of the Second World War and could be crushed with little force. Even though violence was resorted to at many places, but still Mahatma Gandhi continued with the movement. He had unique ability to take advantage of the opponent's weakness.

Mahatma Gandhi - King of hearts

by Susmita Saha

Gandhi can be considered the most modern political thinker India has ever had. He imbibed the best from the East and the West and evolved a political philosophy that worked miracles. Today, in a polity steeped in corruption, perhaps there is a need to rediscover Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi has been an integral part of Indian politics. His political
philosophy encompasses an assortment of elements stemming from his basic humanistic outlook. Though for him there was no antithesis between spiritual and worldly matters, he embodied certain fundamentalbeliefs from which he seldom deviated. As he opined in his journal, Harijan: "There are eternal principles which admit of no compromise, and one must be prepared to lay down one'slife in the practice of them." He adhered to these principles in all walks of his life and even extended them in his attempt to create a resurgence of the nationalistic spirit among Indians. As West Bengal's Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya points out in his research work titled Evolution of the Political Philosophy of Gandhi: "Mahatma Gandhi can be credited for belonging to the most modern type of mass leader." In 1919, when Gandhi took up the reins of the Indian National Congress, he imparted a new technique and orientation in spirit to the struggle for liberation. He introduced the concepts of nonviolence and noncooperation, which not only suited the superior resources of the British Empire but also became the ideal weapons of protest against the Government of India Act (1919) and the Rowlatt Act (1919). Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement, however, took a definite form after the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh, which compelled him to comment: "Cooperation in any shape or form with this satanic government is sinful." The spirit of non-cooperation and nonviolence that Gandhi infused in Indian politics is equally relevant in modern times. The violent upheavals, antipathy in addressing major issues and lack of a rational dialogue among parties that characterise the Indian political scene, emphasizes that a dedicated faith in the Gandhian political doctrines have become the need of the hour. As Bhattacharya points out: "In ancient political thought there was no philosophy of anarchism. Instead rajadharma (duty of the king) came to supercede all other dharmas, for if the king failed to protect his subjects and ensure peace, all else was considered a futile exercise." Political analyst U.N. Ghosal says: "The state was regarded in Hinduism as an essential instrument for securing not merely the whole life, but... that the state was within certain limits virtually an end in itself." Gandhi, whose political ideology was a harmonious amalgamation of western and eastern thoughts, did not accept this near totalitarian concept of the state. Inspired by western thinkers such as Thoreau, Tolstoy and so on, he declared that power or political authority was not an end in itself.
Object 4

Several critics have expressed that Gandhi regarded power to be "one of the means of enabling people to better their conditions in every department of life". This recognition speaks of his awareness of the reality that is firmly imprinted on his political thought. His political actions were directed towards attaining power which, according to him, should not be concentrated in the hands of a few but disseminated among the masses. This political ideal becomes increasingly significant in the present socio-political scenario, when there is an increasing tendency of power concentration in the hands of the privileged few. Another aspect that is conspicuous in the Hindu political thought and has a significant impact on the psyche of the people is that revolt is one of the recognized rights of individuals and groups. This concept is deeply imprinted in the mass psyche and played a significant role in the isolated uprisings that

were

vital

part

of

the

Indian

freedom

struggle.

The duty and responsibility of the king is also clearly indicated. A king who did not abide by the dictates of ethics and justice was threatened with dire consequences in hell as well as revolt. In Mahabharata, Bhishma goes to the extent of saying that the king who fails to protect his people should be slain by his subjects like a mad dog. Gandhi's clarion call for nonviolent revolt against the British is therefore a continuation of the Indian tradition. Interestingly, though Gandhi accepted the traditional injunction to revolt against a corrupt political authority, he also developed the tradition further by introducing satyagraha-a unique means of contradicting authority by avoiding violent manifestation of armed warfare. The Civil Disobedience Movement started by Gandhi in 1930 is another political landmark in Indian history. The massive exploitation of India's economic and human resources had compelled Gandhi to demand Purna Swaraj (absolute independence) to which the British government had paid no heed. The ultimatum, therefore, was presented in the form of a 'Eleven Point' programme to the Viceroy apprising him of the prevalent situation and suggesting its easing, failing which the Civil Disobedience movement would take place. The movement was not merely a violation of the laws imposed by a foreign rule but a mass uprising. The dramatic repercussions of a single act undertaken with the bold recognition of the intolerable grief of the repressed masses is a fundamental proof of Gandhi's potential as a mass leader. Bhattacharya comments: "The nationalist movement in India, prior to Gandhi's advent, flowed in two streamsthe constitutionalist agitation or 'the politics of mendicancy' on one side and the underground revolutionary movement, popularly known as terrorism, on the other." While these movements had their own roles in national regeneration and political freedom, these could not encompass the bulk of the population in the country. There was no 'serious politics' as Lenin had used the term. The Russian revolutionary wrote: "Politics begins where the masses are; not where there are thousands, but millions, that is where serious politics begins." Thus Gandhi can be rightly attributed the credit for introducing 'serious politics' in this country. He also transformed its nature, hitherto confined to the educated classes, to an authentic broad-based mass movement. The historic task that confronted Gandhi's India was to strive for the complete liquidation of foreign imperialist domination and colonial economic exploitation. In fact, both national liberation and democratic transformation of the society were demands that had to be fulfilled for a better arraignment of the society. But since society itself was divided owing to its different inclinations, Gandhi had to formulate a philosophy that could cater to the mindset of all. Since the major section of the Indian bourgeoisie was dependent on the British for their gains, they kept themselves aloof from the national struggle. Gandhi's politics, however, was primarily concerned with raising the consciousness of the masses and investing them with political authority to determine their own destiny. Here he struck a new note in Indian politics.

Leadership Characteristics
It is said that leadership characteristics are inborn and cannot be made. It is neither difficult to learn to be a leader. To know more about the attributes of a successful leader, read on...

Ads by Google Leadership Tools Assessment tools and Management Consulting for Mastering Change
www.adizes.dk

Big FM Movies Biggest blockbusters for your brand now on Radio. Know more! www.big927fm.com
"Rough waters are truer tests of leadership. In calm water every ship has a good captain." ~ Swedish Proverb. Leadership is a trait that comes from within and thus becomes the basic personality of the person. In order to be a leader the first quality one must possess is good character. There are various arguments about leaders, whether they are born or made. Though leadership traits are inborn, they can also be learned over a matter of time. A true leader emerges in times of adversities and guides his followers to the goal safely. We come across leaders in all walks of life like politics, any career, spirituality, sports etc. A good and effective leader believes in actions rather than words. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. etc. are only a few examples of great leaders who have become immortal in the chapters of history due to their actions. In order to become a good leader one must possess effective leadership skills. Read to know more about the characteristics of a good leader Good Leadership Characteristics Leadership skills do not come overnight, they must be imbibed in order to achieve success in all undertakings. To become a good leader one must put in hard work, determination, and must learn from one's mistakes. Every good leader, regardless of what field he is in, shows certain characteristics and strategies in common. Listed below are the four most important leadership qualities of good leader Confidence: One of the most important characteristics of being a good leader is confidence. A good leader must be confident in whatever he does. He must not be hesitant in taking decisions, which may be popular or unpopular. A confident leader is aware of his shortcomings and always maintains his calm, even during emergency situations. Communication Skills: Another important characteristic a good leader must possess is proper communication skills. A leader must be a good speaker as well as a listener. He must know to communicate with his followers and also listen to their ideas, ask questions answer their queries in order to ensure that they have understood what was communicated.

Interpersonal Skills: A leader should also have good interpersonal skills and earn the trust and confidence of his followers. They must also listen to their followers' grievances and give constructive feedback where required. A good leader must also practice flexibility and must adapt to various situations.

Decision-Making: A good leader must know how to take decisions in a matter of a second and must be quick in making proper decisions when the time arises. He must also know how to implement the decision and see that it works and is well received by his team members.

Effective Leadership Characteristics Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other, as quoted by John F Kennedy. In order to be a leader, there are many protocols that contribute to being an efficient leader. To be an effective leader, one must possess the following effective leadership qualities and skills Vision to Achieve the Goal: A leader with effective leadership qualities must have a clear vision and goal of what he expects his team to do. A leader with a vision will effectively guide his followers to achieve success. Integrity: Another most important characteristic of an effective leader is integrity. He must be trustworthy and reliable and must set an example before his followers. He also should possess the courage to move ahead and do what is correct, no matter what the circumstances will be. Enthusiasm and Goal Setting: An enthusiastic leader is always welcome in a team. If a person is enthusiastic and lively and is passionate about setting short term and long term goals and fulfilling them, then he will make an effective leader. A positive attitude is also an important trait in a leader. Resourceful and Decision-Making Abilities: An effective leader must possess good decisionmaking abilities and should be a resourceful to fulfill the requirements of achieving targets. He must also be empathetic towards his fellow teammates in difficult situations. A good and effective leader can earn praises from his teammates. Strategic Leadership Characteristics Strategic leadership is defined as the ability to create and execute plans in order to achieve the goals of an organization. Given below are some qualities a strategic leader should possess. A good leader plans well, considering all the possibilities before the execution of a plan. He is practical as well as pragmatic in order to succeed in his vision for the organization. He knows proper time management and waits for the correct time to implement his plans. He takes better decisions and sustains a high performance in the firm's operations effectively. A good strategic leader has a high degree of self-confidence and good interpersonal and creativity skills. A good leader also believes in planning for the future and is committed to the firm's desired strategic outcomes.

I claim to be no more than an average man with less than average abilities. I have not

the shadow of a doubt that any man or woman can achieve what I have, if he or she would make the same effort and cultivate the same hope and faith.

- GANDHI

Mahatma Gandhi
Spiritual/Political Leader and Humanitarian, 1869 - 1948
(Mohandas Karamchand) Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India. He became one of the most respected spiritual and political leaders of the Twentieth Cnetury. Gandhi helped free the Indian people from British rule through nonviolent resistance, and is honored by his people as the father of the Indian Nation. The Indian people called GandhiMahatma, meaning Great Soul. At age 13, Gandhi joined Kasturba, age 12, in a marriage arranged by their parents. The Gandhis had four sons: Harilal and Manilal, born in India, and Ramdas and Devdas born in South Africa. While Gandhi displayed loving kindness to everyone else, he was quite demanding and severe with his wife and sons. Use the links below to learn more about Gandhi's relationship with his family. Gandhi studied law in London and returned to India in 1891 to practice. In 1893 he accepted a one year contract to do legal work in South Africa. At the time South Africa was controlled by the British. When he attempted to claim his rights as a British subject he was abused, and soon saw that all Indians suffered similar treatment. Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years working to secure rights for Indian people. He developed a method of direct social action based upon the principles courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha. He believed that the way people behave is more important than what they achieve. Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civil disobedience as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals. In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement. Using the tenets of Satyagraha he lead the campaign for Indian independence from Britain. Gandhi was arrested many times by the British for his activities in South Africa and India. He believed it was honorable to go to jail for a just cause. Altogether he spent seven years in prison for his political activities. More than once Gandhi used fasting to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent. India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned into India and Pakistan. Rioting between Hindus and Muslims followed. Gandhi had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and Muslims lived together in peace. On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, he began a fast with the purpose of stopping the bloodshed. After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the fighting and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later he was assassinated by a Hindufanatic who opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion. Among the tributes to Gandhi upon his death were these words by the great physicist, Albert Einstein:

Generations to come will scarce believe that such a

one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood.