The Qualities Required in a True Leader
By Deepak Parvatiyar
September 30, 2014
September 30, 2014
What can one say about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the Indian-Americans at the packed Madison Square Garden in New York? It was telecast live for the people back home and his spin doctors had worked overtime to make it a grand affair. None had ever witnessed such a grand spectacle by any other Indian Prime Minister in foreign land – of all the places in America! The excitement that his over an hour long speech – extempore and direct – aroused reaffirmed Modi’s reputation as a gifted orator. His supporters deliriously kept chanting – “Modi, Modi, Modi…” – reminiscent of Modi’s innumerous election rallies in the run up to the May General elections – where such a crowd frenzy was a common scene back home!
Does this mean arrival of a powerful leader in the political firmament?
Indeed, Modi in his initial days at the political centre-stage has shown much promise – much like the US President Barrack Obama – who riding an unprecedented global frenzy even won the Noble Peace Prize!
Yet, why should Modi’s rise in the political horizon be compared with Obama? There are ample reasons. First and foremost is that Obama has already established himself as among the best orators in contemporary politics!
Modi’s knack for pomposity and showmanship too could be comparable with that of the US President Barrack Obama. Remember the euphoria that Obama managed to build-up globally in the run-up to the election for his first term in the office? Remember how the Obama couple enthralled the audience when they broke into an impromptu dance performance to a foot-tapping Marathi folk song while interacting with school children during their visit to Mumbai in 2010?
Consider how even Obama’s popularity has plummeted in recent times within the USA as per the Presidential Approval Ratings!
Besides, it is equally true that our politicians are largely inaccessible when they are required the most. (One still remembers how a couple of years ago when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was in government, the delegates at the Congress Working Committee meeting made hue and cry over the issue of inaccessible ministers.)
As I dug deep into the issue of leadership, many other names cropped up – Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj? Yet, Jaitley is yet to win a general election! Similarly Swaraj despite her flamboyance and grittiness, can win an election from Bellary (where she had contested and lost to the ‘reluctant’ Sonia in 1999)?
This brings me to the larger question that do we really have any leader (including Modi) in our country who is above religion, caste, and sectarian politics and yet popular with the masses?
LK Advani, at the most was a powerful Hindu leader but he is now sidelined in his own political party. The other name is that of Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam – our former President. He is hailed as the father of our missile technology and is widely respected for his simplicity. No doubt he is an exemplary figure. But is he a mass leader? It is yet to be proved.
So, were Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Jai Prakash Narayan. They took the lead when a change was much desired. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao too, proved their leadership qualities by leading from the front respectively on the issue of creation of Bangladesh, infusing technology, and liberating economy. The last of the Mohicans was perhaps Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who undoubtedly was among the most popular leaders of his time, respected by all for his oratorical skills, statesmanship and non-controversial image. Like Indira Gandhi, he demonstrated that he had the ability to win elections from any part of the country!
Going by the same analysis, Anna Hazare had shown glimpses of emerging as a big leader when he took up the issue of corruption and sat on a fast at New Delhi’s Ramleeia ground in 2011. He took on the government then but subsequently failed to sustain his movement.
Is Modi Leading by Example?
Obviously, a leader requires a vision and has to lead by example. (S)He requires frequent self-assessment of one’s own personal strengths and shortcomings; and sharp analytical prowess to anticipate a situation where leadership skills are required.
Yet, public perception matters the most to a leader and many now look up to professionals’ support to boost their public image. Such dependence of our leaders on public relations companies for an image makeover is ever growing and has assumed the proportion of a billion dollar activity. Yet, leaders need to emerge out of such temptations and perform for their respective constituencies.
In Modi’s case too, obviously his performance will determine whether he succeeds as a mass leader or not. But hasn’t he made the right beginning?
Modi and Obama: Charismatic Leaders
Obviously, Modi does have a penchant for doing things in style and appears to pay attention to every minute detail. He seems to have a natural knack of connecting with the people and speak what sounds music to their ears.Does this mean arrival of a powerful leader in the political firmament?
Indeed, Modi in his initial days at the political centre-stage has shown much promise – much like the US President Barrack Obama – who riding an unprecedented global frenzy even won the Noble Peace Prize!
Modi’s knack for pomposity and showmanship too could be comparable with that of the US President Barrack Obama. Remember the euphoria that Obama managed to build-up globally in the run-up to the election for his first term in the office? Remember how the Obama couple enthralled the audience when they broke into an impromptu dance performance to a foot-tapping Marathi folk song while interacting with school children during their visit to Mumbai in 2010?
Leadership: Euphoria Vs Performance
Yet, oratorical skills and brinksmanship could only be among the many required qualities of a leader! Delivering on mounting public expectations is finally what matters.Consider how even Obama’s popularity has plummeted in recent times within the USA as per the Presidential Approval Ratings!
Do today’s Leaders Connect with People?
An essential prerequisite for a good leader is his acceptability among the masses. Consider Sonia Gandhi – one of the most powerful politicians of our country! She is the undisputed boss of the Congress party but can she ever be identified with the common man on the streets? Can we call her a natural leader? Wasn’t she a reluctant leader? Didn’t the same apply to one of the country’s longest serving Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who (unlike Sonia though) never contested a general elections? Could he assume the leadership of his government even? Didn’t he rather prefer to be a prisoner of coalition compulsions?Besides, it is equally true that our politicians are largely inaccessible when they are required the most. (One still remembers how a couple of years ago when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was in government, the delegates at the Congress Working Committee meeting made hue and cry over the issue of inaccessible ministers.)
As I dug deep into the issue of leadership, many other names cropped up – Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj? Yet, Jaitley is yet to win a general election! Similarly Swaraj despite her flamboyance and grittiness, can win an election from Bellary (where she had contested and lost to the ‘reluctant’ Sonia in 1999)?
This brings me to the larger question that do we really have any leader (including Modi) in our country who is above religion, caste, and sectarian politics and yet popular with the masses?
LK Advani, at the most was a powerful Hindu leader but he is now sidelined in his own political party. The other name is that of Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam – our former President. He is hailed as the father of our missile technology and is widely respected for his simplicity. No doubt he is an exemplary figure. But is he a mass leader? It is yet to be proved.
Indian Leaders: A Glorious Past
The true leader is a person who can lead at the cusp of change. Mahatma Gandhi was one such leader who motivated the masses – irrespective of caste, creed, religion and social status – to be involved in the freedom movement.So, were Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Jai Prakash Narayan. They took the lead when a change was much desired. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao too, proved their leadership qualities by leading from the front respectively on the issue of creation of Bangladesh, infusing technology, and liberating economy. The last of the Mohicans was perhaps Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who undoubtedly was among the most popular leaders of his time, respected by all for his oratorical skills, statesmanship and non-controversial image. Like Indira Gandhi, he demonstrated that he had the ability to win elections from any part of the country!
Going by the same analysis, Anna Hazare had shown glimpses of emerging as a big leader when he took up the issue of corruption and sat on a fast at New Delhi’s Ramleeia ground in 2011. He took on the government then but subsequently failed to sustain his movement.
Is Modi Leading by Example?
Obviously, a leader requires a vision and has to lead by example. (S)He requires frequent self-assessment of one’s own personal strengths and shortcomings; and sharp analytical prowess to anticipate a situation where leadership skills are required.
Yet, public perception matters the most to a leader and many now look up to professionals’ support to boost their public image. Such dependence of our leaders on public relations companies for an image makeover is ever growing and has assumed the proportion of a billion dollar activity. Yet, leaders need to emerge out of such temptations and perform for their respective constituencies.
In Modi’s case too, obviously his performance will determine whether he succeeds as a mass leader or not. But hasn’t he made the right beginning?
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