an icmr-iipm think tank publication - Cycbth.org

ASHOK MALHOTRA
Eisenach in the year 1999 also by Burn in the year 1978
held that leadership could be broadly classified into two
forms, transactional and transformational leadership.
Transactional leadership occurs when the leader takes
the initiative in making contact with the teams for the
exchange of valued outcomes. Transformational leadership
on the other hand focuses purely on leading change.
The transformational leader engages with others in such
a way that both leader and followers raise each other to
higher levels of motivation and morality. In transformational
leadership, it is important for the leaders to
address true needs of the followers and lead the followers
towards fulfillment of those needs.
Unfortunately though, as with most things that we
value, transformational leadership is in short supply.
We need much more of it, in every sphere, be it government,
business, education, the law, or even non-profit
organisations. Our slow and halting progress seems even
more conspicuous when we look at the rapid growth
many less-endowed countries have achieved over the
past two-three decades. Let us learn transformational
leadership lessons by analysing leadership styles of two
leaders Gandhiji and Dalai Lama.
Whenever we will refer to Gandhiji’s leadership style
the word will be SIMPLICITY and that is the epitome of
a genius. Before Gandhiji became the leader of 500 million
people, who called him “The Mahatma” and before
he became the Father of Nation by winning the fight for
independence, he was a shy boy and an average personality.
Even with this background, without holding any
official position in the government, had no wealth, commanded
no armies – he could mobilise millions and as
a result of his example and personal character, the mass
organized together to fight to become self reliant and
Independent nation. He won the hearts of his greatest
critics by practicing Interpersonal and excellent communication
skills. Another example of leadership is
"PRESIDENT CLINTON MAY BE AN EXAMPLE
OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO BOTCHED THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A HIGHLY
SUCCESSFUL TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER"
Dalai Lama. What makes the Dalai Lama so interesting
and influential around the world care about a simple
Buddhist monk who 50 years ago was forced to leave his
country, and who for years has headed an unrecognised
government-in-exile, a 'virtual' nation of 6 million Tibetans
is a important question and needs to be analysed
in depth and clarity.
The Dalai Lama's quiet persuasion and reaching out
has drawn many to the message of Buddhism. He has
contemporised Buddhism and brought it into the mainstream
of spiritual thought.
These leaders teach as management by self management,
effective communication and information flow,
Principles of natural justice, ethics, concept of OOMTAMP
(Object Oriented Management Through Appropriate
methods, Means and Practices).
This leadership style is most effective style for organisational
as well as social transformations. However,
transformational leadership is very difficult to implement
no wonders we have rare examples to quote. Most
of the corporate and social leaders as well as managers
desire to implement this style wanting the results this
trait can produce but most of us give up on the way, get
frustrated or fail to communicate as we fail to understand
that this style can be only be successfully implemented
with high degree of self discipline, highest levels
emotional intelligence, interpersonal and communication
skills. We have few examples of flawed implementation
also though if not too much flawed can still
be successfully implemented successfully
such as Bill Clinton who once became an
ambassador of peace and integrity found
himself to be in the web of an integrity issue,
though he had guts to openly accept
his mistake, apologised and took a corrective
action. Another such example is Anna
Hazare and his team which is an example
of flawed implementation of transformational
style. The lack of interpersonal skills
has delayed their goal which is much desired
by the country and every citizen feels
honoured to be part of his movement. The
whole moment is turning out to be an issue
of prestige, rigidity and credit taking which
has delayed the achievement of the goal.
The results of Transformational leadership
style are phenomenal and no goal is
big enough for this style but, however,
there is an equivalent price to be paid by
the practitioner…
PHOTO : MUKUNDA DE
count your chickens before they hatch 33 april 2012