Saturday 9 February 2019

Leadership Lessons from Indira Gandhi―Share if You Care!







“I have lived a long life, and I am proud that I spend the whole of my life in the service of my people. I am only proud of this and nothing else. I shall continue to serve until my last breath, and when I die, I can say, that every drop of my blood will invigorate India and strengthen it.” —Indira Gandhi


Indira Gandhi was one of the most charismatic women leaders of India. She was renowned for her courageous leadership and daring decisions whether it was winning the war against Pakistan in 1971 or flushing out the militants from the Golden Temple in 1984. She was also infamous for imposing emergency and an unprecedented centralization of power. In this post, we will discuss her leadership style and the lessons we must learn from her leadership.


Leadership Lessons

“You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.” —Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi was the only first woman Prime Minister of India. She was the second longest serving Indian Prime Minister after Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. She encountered several challenges one after another in her personal life and political career. However, she came out with flying colors with her grit and determination. She survived and succeeded in a male-dominated society. It is obvious from her challenges and controversies that she was the most interesting and inspiring leader at that time. There are several lessons you can learn from her leadership. Here are some of them.  
  • Walk your talk.
  • Be a great communicator.
  • Connect with the common people emotionally.
  • Overcome volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA).
  • Convert your threats into opportunities.
  • Encounter the challenges head-on.  
  • Make bold decisions.
  • Be tenacious and resilient.
  • Encourage women empowerment.
  • Stand by your principles and philosophies.

I served in the Indian Air Force and my first posting was to the Air Force Station, Race Course, New Delhi in 1983. I served there for three months. I was fortunate to see Indira Gandhi regularly because her residence was a walkable distance to my residence.  I was personally inspired by her grace, charisma, and leadership. 


Conclusion

“All my games were political games; I was, like Joan of Arc, perpetually being burned at the stake.” —Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi was a bold, beautiful, and brilliant woman leader. She was loyal to her nation and expected loyalty from her team. She consulted her team before making decisions. Once she made the decisions, she never looked back. She was firm and determined. She adopted nationalization, abolished privy purses, and liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan. She was successful in the Green Revolution, joining the club of countries with nuclear weapons, and building a strong nation. She was a stateswoman. She led our nation despite several constraints and stiff opposition both at home and abroad. She made India a powerful nation in South Asia.

Indira Gandhi received several awards for her contribution to India and world including Bharat Ratna and Bangladesh Freedom Honour.  She was named "Woman of the Millennium" in an online poll organized by the BBC.

Learn lessons from her leadership to excel as a courageous leader. You are gifted with one life and you must deliver your goods with excellence without craving for any attention and approval from others to provide meaning to your life.

Indira Gandhi remains an inspiration for all Indians and will be remembered forever in Indian history for her courageous leadership and contribution. Jai Hind.


“Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.” —Indira Gandhi


Share if you care!



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Life is great!

Professor M.S. Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India



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