What are attitudes, qualities & skills of a leader based on ‘Indian Philosophy’?

The attitudes, qualities and skills of a leader based on Indian philosophy are discussed below:

1.      Service attitude : A true leader should provide benefit and service to the society but never talk about it. It is expected that he always does good for the organisation at the micro level and for the nation at the macro level. He is also there to help and guide his subordinates. But he never drums his own trumpet that he is providing service to the society.

2.      Happy when others are happy : He never feels happy when his followers are unhappy, depressed or dejected.

3.      Forbearance : The leader must have forbearance as far his own life or work is concerned. He forgives personal insults but never forgives society and group insults and takes action for that. Thus he takes the right action when he understands `anyaya’ or a wrong is committed to someone.

4.      God fearing : The leader according to Indian culture and tradition should have firm faith on God. He is a god fearing persona, and takes action ethically.

5.      Observer : He observes the strengths and weaknesses, the positive and negative traits in everyone’s character. But he never discloses one follower’s negative traits to other followers.

6.      A man of principle : He is a man of principle. He believes that he is a man of word. Generally there is no gap between whatever he advises and the action he takes. Thus he becomes the role model, the ideal, highly admired, respected and trusted. Leaders should lead by example, i.e. ‘mamvartamanu vartante’. There should not be any gap between what he is doing and what he is preaching.

7.      Time management : He manages time very effectively and is always punctual. He is having the capability to control any kind of situation. He handles any new situation quite effectively.

8       Asks fundamental questions of life : He works diligently but he also spends sometime in seeking answer to some fundamental questions like, ‘who am I?”What am I doing here?’ Why I am here?’ What is this universe?’ Do I have any relationship with the universe?’ What is that?’ Through introspection he tries to get the answers to all these questions.

9.      Know thyself : It indicates one should understand oneself. A leader should know that he is the part of the Supreme Soul and therefore, is having enough potential. He can attain anything and everything. Also the leader needs to understand very well that there should not be any gap between who the individual is and what he is doing. It means according to the personality, attitude and skills only one should take a particular responsibility. If his perception and attitude matches with responsibility, then he should opt for that job, otherwise not. To provide best service it is essential.

10.    HR skill : The leader has to master the human relation skills and when he skillfully handles human resources,. he is accepted by the followers and his guidance is sought.