Mind Map

My mind map starts with a goal of becoming a great leader, it is titled as “The Ultimate Guide to become
a Great Leader”. This course was for me a course on the ways and methods to employ to metamorphose
myself into a great leader. The four main ladders/steps that I took away from the class that will help me
to become a great leader of men are the main branches that are emanating from this core intent of
mine to become a great leader. The four branches are Values, Vision, Culture and Decision Making. The
mind map then sub branches out to go into the details of each of the main branches.

1. Values

The core values and ethical principles are enshrined in values. The Virtue ethics, deontology and
utilitarianism are the sub branches, I have also included “Lead by example” as a fourth sub
branch as these values are to be imbibed into a great leader. Integrity connects to the next main
branch, i.e. decision making as it is vital to both the sub branches.

2. Vision

“A leader without vision, to strive to improve things, is no good. Then you will stay put, you
won’t progress”- Lee Kuan Yew. As the quote from the former Singapore leader says, vision is
very important for a great leader. As visionary one has to recognize that change brings
opportunity, then with the opportunity you have to deliver results by looking at the greater
good and having legal and ethical compliance, which produces good for the society which
connects to the next main branch i.e. Culture.

3. Culture
Leaders create culture. This is seen with many of the world’s great leaders. For me it was Nehru,
the first prime minister of India who embodied this aspect of a leader. His ideals made him to
safeguard the democratic culture in India as it was a time when he could have become a dictator
but he kept himself in check and ensured that the lamp of democracy did not vanish from India.
His ideals shaped most of modern India. I have also taken the examples from the Zimbardo and
Milgram experiments to highlight what leaders who go awry can do.

4. Decision Making

It is the decisions that a leader takes that makes or breaks the legacy of his people. For me this
class gave me the decision making tool kit that is a guiding light, also learnt what not to do from
the Enron example and a leader is one who is accountable, dependable and robust.

The PED assignments in class helped me to connect all this together, which made me realize the
interdependence of each branch of this mind map. Hopefully, it will make me a great leader and the one
who reads it too.