LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE THROUGH GANDHIAN THOUGHTS

“IS Gandhi relevant today?” – The question has been raised by many in different platforms, by people who look at the modern scheme of things from entirely a pragmatic point of view . Gandhi represents not merely a human being, but represents a thought architecture; a matured social-consciousness; an eco-system seeking to unravel the divine dimension of the human self. Keeping aside any political discourse associated with Gandhi, it is important to reflect on his views and practices of life that will add value to a leadership process.

To say that Gandhi lived by his values will not be an exaggeration. It is important that leaders, as role models, should reflect the ethos to which they stand for. Their vision and mission should have perfect harmony and in simple terms, their thoughts, deeds and words should bear testimony of the harmony. “My life is my message” said Gandhi, thus putting himself to an acid-test, to let the society examine his persona with a critical eye. In good leadership, people subject themselves to such public reviews whether they like it or not; whether it is needed or not. Leadership excellence is possible only when the leader subjects himself to this public audit and is rated by an overwhelming majority as an embodiment of personal excellence.

“Be the change you want to see in the world” said Mahatma. This calling comes from the personal commitment one has given for the self. As such, when there is synergy between words, deeds and actions, the process of adopting to a change, making a change and living a change becomes a personal responsibility, not warranting the will, support or the advice of anyone else. A true leader, cannot, rather should not, manifest into the role or a preacher demanding the change from others, but be the leader of the change, part of the change and forerunner of the change. Leadership excellence calls for demonstration of thoughts, values, attitudes and messages that the society seeks to emulate.

In adopting and ushering the change, a leader, may find a number of challenges, especially from a section of those who have the fear for change or who find their comfort zones being demolished through such change processes. Questions often would be raised whether what is being done is right or wrong, whether it is necessary or not, whether it is timely or not, whether it is people-friendly or not. While it is important to carry the entire team along with oneself, a leader, cannot afford to lose the time for ushering the change.  As a leader of change, the individual  should move the mountain and the earth to ensure that things happen the way they are desired to happen

 “Do what is right, and not what is easy” says Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Leadership excellence manifests only when the leader is willing to take the roads less travelled. “You must not lose faith in humanity; humanity is an ocean. If a few drops of the ocean are dirty, it doesn’t make the ocean dirty” says the Father of the Nation. A leader pusuing excellence should be willing to acknowledge the inadequacies of the system, if any; and should be willing to forgive and transform the people who challenge the process. Educating them is more important than enforcing the ideas.

In trying to impact the followers, the leaders, sometimes yield to a pre-conceived defeatism.. They start analysing the level of impact and the time required for the impact.Thier anxiety level shoots up and they look for results like magic.  Inadequate responses, defiant attitudes, absence of support and the like, might land the leader in such defeatist attitude. They forget oftentimes, the time taken for good results may be more than expected timeline. They should have a strong belief system that goes with the Gandhian belief that “In a gentle way you can shake the world.” If a leader encounters defeat or challenges in the pursuit of one’s endeavour, Gandhi’s words should act as a reminder “Live as if you were to die tomorrow; Learn as if you are going to live forever.”

Leadership excellence requires a strong sense of optimism. A leader needs a lot of maturity and inner strength. The inner strength comes from facing the struggles. Says Gandhi: “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strength. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is the strength.”  While facing struggles, a leader, is expected to show a deep understanding, an outreach of sensibility and a sense of compassion to the opponent so that the problems could be understood, discussed, debated and resolved. “An eye for eye will only make the whole world blind” says Gandhi and it is true.

Simplicity and humility are fundamental to leadership excellence. Any display of arrogance, ego and authority draws an iron curtain between the leader and the followers. Further, expression of humility is not a display of weakness, but a simple acknowledgement of the larger objective of social consciousness through which equity and equality or established in human relationships. Positions and placements are only opportunities to extend a mighty arm of facilitation and help to the lesser privileged, whatever be the eco-system in which the person is placed. “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others” is the message of the Mahatma.  

In pursuit of one’s path to excellence, many leaders are led to self-doubt. They start doubting their own competence, their own capabilities and thus lose faith in the possibilities of the future. Fear, is the greatest enemy, according to Gandhi. “The difference between what we do, and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems” says the unparalleled messenger of Non-violence.

If a leader wants to pursue excellence, nothing could stop him.  Says Gandhi “A man is but a product of his thoughts; what he thinks, he becomes.” The relevance of Gandhi is eternal, as a living monument of a system of philosophy that advocates excellence in life through ethics, values, attitudes and tools that bring about inner peace.