Professor M. S. Rao’s Vision 2030: One Million Global Leaders

© 2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in. This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Sunday 2 September 2018

Indian Leaders versus Other Leaders―Professor M.S. Rao

“An ounce of practice is worth a thousand words.” ―Mahatma Gandhi

Leadership is leadership irrespective of the regions and nationalities. However, there are some aspects that differ leadership from region to region. When you look at leadership in Asia especially India, it is unique because leaders often hail from established families. Whether it is in business, politics, sports or film industry, people with family lineage and connections in a specific industry or area excel quickly and acquire the title of ‘leader’ in India. But can we call them natural leaders? Of course, not. In this context, let us look at leadership from Indian perspective versus the rest of the world.

Indian Leaders

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” ―Mahatma Gandhi

In India, several leaders emerged in the name of caste, religion, region, language and community without any ideology. People supported them because the leaders belonged to their communities. They have identity crisis and appreciate being recognized with their communities. First, do these leaders have the leadership potential? Second, most Indian politicians rose by joining established parties. There are a very few leaders who started their own political parties with their ideologies. It is obvious that Indian leaders depend more on community aspects and less on ideological aspects. If they are tested about their leadership potential, very few will succeed. Mahatma Gandhi was a rare leader who rose from ranks without any family lineage in politics and fought India’s independence, and finally emerged as an international leader. Here is a list of leaders and famous people who were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi―Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Aung San Suu Kyi, HH Dalai Lama, John Lennon, Albert Einstein, Al Gore, Steve Jobs, Rabindranath Tagore, Pearl S. Buck, U Thant, Will Durant, Richard Attenborough, Ho Chi Minh, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Cesar Chavez, Louis Fischer, Haile Selassie I, and George Bernard Shaw.

Indian Leaders versus Other Leaders

“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people” ―Eleanor Roosevelt

Indian leaders are hierarchy-oriented and directive because of their culture unlike the leaders from developed nations. In India, the subordinates rarely question their superiors because they respect hierarchy. Sometimes, they are risk-averse, and find it difficult to overcome volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). Therefore, Indian leadership style is different from other cultures and nations.

The average Indian struggles for his/her survival from cradle to grave. S/he hardly finds time to pursue creative activities and aspire to lead others. Only when people lead themselves comfortably they will be able to lead others successfully. Since Indians struggle for their basic necessities, they hardly think of leading others. In contrast, the people from developed nations meet their basic necessities, and are provided with social security measures. So they follow their passions and pursue creative activities. Above all, they find time to lead others. Hence, it is obvious that the leadership style of Indian style definitely varies from other cultures and nations especially the developed nations.

Conclusion

“Twenty-first-century leadership relationship dynamics are from the bottom-up rather than the top-down; from the outside-in, rather than the inside-out.” ―James Strock

India is a country of contrasts. Hence, you find a unique leadership style in India where it is more of hierarchy and bureaucracy which usually doesn’t work in the current global environment. Hence, there is an urgent need for Indian leaders to reinvent their leadership style with the prevailing global scenario to stay relevant and competent.

“Be the change that you want to see in the world.” ―Mahatma Gandhi

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This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S. Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in. This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Friday 31 August 2018

Are Politicians Wise and People Fools in India? ―Professor M.S. Rao

“Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people” ―Eleanor Roosevelt

Everyday I go to gym and return home by walk which takes an hour. I do workout for an hour to keep myself physically fit and active. I have accepted fitness challenge―Hum Fit Toh India Fit to inspire youth. I read English newspaper in gym everyday and talk to at least one person everyday either to share my knowledge or to understand the latest developments from multiple perspectives. One day I observed a young man with a beard and a fire in his belly who was boxing aggressively. I found something interesting in him. Hence, I went to him and introduced myself and had a brief conversation with him. I found him with innovative ideas and insights. His ideas are thought-provoking and inspiring. He is an unconventional and out-of-the-box thinker. He is fearless and outspoken. Next day, I initiated conversation with him and the topic went to corruption and political scenario in India. I enjoyed his conversation and decided to write about the prevailing Indian political leaders and the so-called spiritual and religious gurus.

One of the easiest and effective methods to strike rich in India is to become a politician or a religious guru. The politicians become successful quickly when they play religious, regional, linguistic, caste and community cards in India. They instigate people by playing several cards to get votes and grab political power. Once they grab political power, they bring their kith and kin and promote them. The media is ready to support them to ensure their survival and gain some benefits. In this process, it is the people who get cheated at the end.

Another easy and respected way of earning money in India is to become a religious guru or a spiritual guru. Currently people have lots of conflicts and challenges. These religious gurus with unique attires and brands exploit people’s challenges. At times the rich politicians also approach them with their wishes and issues. Some of the religious gurus have connections with the top political brass. So they easily get lands and other benefits to start their trusts and bodies. So becoming a religious guru gives credibility, visibility and above all, sanctity. Indian media also supports such gurus to enhance their TRP ratings to ensure their survival.

We also find a category of unknown people who kick up controversies on religion, caste, region and community to hit the limelight. When they are questioned, they quickly retreat. They are very happy because they are noticed by the people although for wrong reasons. This is another way of getting noticed quickly to brand and market themselves. Unfortunately, such people have only visibility but no credibility and sanctity.

India is a country with a huge population with innumerable challenges and complexities. The political leaders and spiritual leaders exploit the emotions and the sentiments of the people to build their brands and market themselves. Their end is to mint money although they preach that their ends are to bring peace and prosperity in the society.

Change Must Start Within You!

“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” ― Mohandas K. Gandhi

When compared between a politician and a religious guru, the latter has better opportunities because s/he enjoys sanctity with material wealth. Hence, Indians must be careful with these two categories―political leaders and so-called spiritual and religious gurus who are experts in branding and marketing rather than addressing the people’s issues.

The change must start within the people. When people understand the hidden motives behind these politicians, they will reject them outright. It is unfortunate that even the educated people are often carried away by caste and community aspects. It is time we brought the change in the society to build a strong and prosperous India. Jai Hind!