The Exemplary Leadership Style - Assignment Example

Analysis of an Exemplary Leader Table of Contents Analysis of an Exemplary Leader 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 4 Exemplary Leadership 4 Overview 4 Mahatma Gandhi – Leader Unmasked 4 Leadership Qualities of Mahatma Gandhi 5 Comparative Analysis 5 Leadership Theories 5 Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Model 6 Fiedler’s Contingency Theory of Leadership 6 Transformational Leadership Model 6 Servant Leadership Theory 7 Charismatic Leadership Theory 7 Development and Key Challenges 7 Conclusion 8 References 9 Introduction Since the early 1980s, the concepts of leadership have undergone transformation and rejuvenation, but still there are many leaders and their leadership style or qualities inspire people and set examples for many. The way of implementation may have changed due to changing external environment, but the theories still are the same. Keeping in mind this concept, this study has been set out to conduct a critical analysis of the exemplary leadership style (Boal & Hooijberg, 2001, p. 515). In order to discuss various dimensions of leadership and exemplary style of leader, Mahatma Gandhi, who is considered as the best example of an exemplary leader, has been chosen. The framework of the study would be including an overview of exemplary leadership study for the readers to understand about the leadership style discussed here. Further, a brief synopsis of Mahatma Gandhi and his journey would be discussed, followed by his style of leadership, and a comparative analysis would be done with the other probable leadership styles. Then in the next part, the leadership models and theories would be discussed to understand the exemplary leadership style of Mahatma Gandhi better. The challenges that he had to face and developments or success that he achieved would be included in the later part of this study and a conclusive summary would be included. Exemplary Leadership Overview Exemplary leadership is considered as a difficult principle to be followed because of the amount of responsibility and hard-work attached to it. Though successful leadership styles have many characteristics in common, in case of exemplary leadership, the leader has to first blend and adapt those situations and contingencies before preaching others to follow. So it can be said that exemplary leaders are born leaders and there are some rare qualities in an exemplary leader which cannot be copied or cultivated. It is an attitude of a person since birth. Exemplary leadership is actually an approach of being, even when the person is not leading others. Exemplary leaders are facing, extending, centring, and blending the essential qualities. An exemplary leader symbolizes realistic wisdom, grounded compassion, and skilful action (Strozzi-Heckler, 2007, pp. 12–14). Mahatma Gandhi – Leader Unmasked Mahatma Gandhi is regarded as one of most popular exemplary leaders in the world. The full name of Mahatma Gandhi is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was born in 1864, in Porbander, Gujarat, India. When Mahatma Gandhi was young, 80 percent of the people in India lived in small towns and villages, but Mahatma Gandhi belonged to an affluent family and studied in the elite schools of India. He later went to England to study law. After he went to England to study, he saw and understood the world outside and also realized the condition of most of the underdeveloped or developing countries and their citizens, which also included Africa and India. Mahatma Gandhi led several revolutions against issues such as racial discrimination against the blacks and the whites, especially in Africa. He also made a major contribution to bringing about Indian Independence from the British, but the surprising thing is that his motto was to lead a completely non-violent revolution. The qualities and capabilities of Mahatma Gandhi were such that his speeches were enough to move mountains. This makes him an extraordinary and exemplary leader (Hunt, 2003, pp. 192–193). Leadership Qualities of Mahatma Gandhi The life of Mahatma Gandhi was exemplary in many ways in the western countries. Those people who knew him personally and followed his principles believed that if Mahatma Gandhi believed Christianity, he would have followed in such a way that even the real Christians would have been surprised. This means he had a religion of his own – a religion of acceptance and non-violence, but at the same time rebellious and revolutionary. Mahatma Gandhi had an admirable sensibility and non-violent resistance. The critics of Mahatma Gandhi in the West portrayed that he had the capability to understand the real evil within the people which generally people inflict on others. Mahatma Gandhi spent 21 years in South Africa. He adopted the method of non-violent protest in Africa to stop racial discrimination. This was called the civil right movement of South Africa. He felt degraded because the Indians were also being treated in the same manner. This motivated him to come back and for his country too (Lal, 2009, pp. 281–285). Comparative Analysis Mahatma Gandhi’s exemplary leadership qualities have been discussed, but his characteristics and style of leadership can be also compared to other leadership styles. He can also be considered as a charismatic leader, as he had a charismatic style of communicating to his followers. Though he took the burden of the world’s sorrows on his shoulders, his communication style was imaginative, colourful and expressive. His speeches ignited fire, but in a non-violent manner. The non-cooperation movement, styagrah movement, “Quit India” movement were all the revolutions led by Mahatma Gandhi without bloodshed or violence (Bilgrami, 2009, pp. 48–50). He can also be considered as a transformation leader because he had the capability to bring about change. His civil right movement brought about a huge rebel among the Africans who were the victims of discrimination. They fought under his leadership. Similarly, in India Mahatma Gandhi, through his strategies and far-sightedness, freed India from a 200 year long British rule (Marturano & Gosling, 2007, pp. 167–169). Leadership Theories The leadership models or theories would be described briefly just to identify which model signifies the leadership traits of Mahatma Gandhi as an exemplary Leader. Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Model Hersey-Blanchard is also known as the situational leadership model. The model emphasises the relationship and tasks. In the matrix shown below, the four styles of leadership, which the theory includes, are mentioned. They are participating style, delegating style, selling style, and telling style. Delegating style means to allow the followers to take decisions. Participating style means to share ideas and take a collective decision with the followers, selling style includes taking the decision and making the followers believe in them, and finally telling style involves ordering followers to follow instructions. Mahatma Gandhi was among the participating leaders who took decisions by discussing the pros and cons with his followers. He submitted himself to the mass and for the mass (Schermerhorn, 2010, p. 320). Fiedler’s Contingency Theory of Leadership In the Fiedler Contingency model, the relationship between the style of leadership, the performance of the team or group and the orientation of the leader can be analysed. The theory in this model is based on the direction of the leader and the situational changes according to the effectiveness and non-effectiveness. The figure below explains the theory better. Based on this model, the leader-subordinate bonding was very strong in case of Mahatma Ghandi. Ghandhi was not a simple leader – he was a cult. The power position was high not only in his motherland India but all round the world. The revolutions of liberalism that he carried out round the world would be considered well-structed because they showed results (Miner, 2007, pp 146–148). Transformational Leadership Model In behavioural leadership, the relationship between the leader and the followers is given importance. The transformational leadership boosts morale and performance of the followers through the mechanism such as inspiring them or challenging them for something. The transformational leaders have the ability to estimate the weaknesses and strengths of his/her followers, so they can lead them to the desired goal (Hellriegel & Slocum, 2009, p. 301). In this model, the concept of transactional leadership style and laissez-faire can also be included. Laissez-faire leadership style involves turning the entire load of the problem on the follower so that they overcome the problems and achieve the goals (Leitner, 2007, p. 7). It is an approach to help the followers to develop the quality of being independent. The transactional leaders do not focus on bringing about any change. Their task is to direct the subordinates for the task and punish and reward them according to their performance (Lang, 2011, p. 7). Mahatma Gandhi was none of these; neither had he followed any of these two styles. He practiced himself what he preached. Never did he put the burden of problem solely on his followers nor did he work without their support. He was a transformational leader. His motto was to bring change, and change cannot come along. It requires the support of the mass. Servant Leadership Theory This concept of leadership theory reflects the philosophy that leaders should be a servant (follower) first, and then only he/she would understand his followers better. Though this theory might not have been followed by many great leaders, still they are renowned leaders, but this is just a conception and not a compulsion. In case of Mahatma Gandhi, it can be said that he himself faced discrimination during his travel in the first-class compartment of a train, when he was thrown out of the train just because only the white people had the right to travel in the first class compartments. Though he had purchased the ticket for the same, he was pushed out with all his belongings. In India he wore only Khadi clothes that are cotton clothes spun using a spin-wheel by him. So in this way, it can be said that he followed what he preached to his followers (Wolinski, 2010). Charismatic Leadership Theory As it has been already discussed above, charismatic leaders are those who have very clear visions and have an aura or magnetic personality. People automatically get drawn towards their simplicity and follow their sayings. A charismatic leader has a unique way of interacting with their followers. Mahatma Gandhi was indeed a charismatic leader. His name is the synonym for non-violence, sacrifice, simplicity and dedication (Landy & Conte, 2009, p. 566). Development and Key Challenges Mahatma Gandhi’s objective was to guide India towards a healthier and free tomorrow. He pushed beyond the limits and did those things which were a dream for everyone. Mahatma Gandhi was never there for any movement without his followers. This proves that he gave more credit of his leadership to his followers and not his visionary powers. However, being a human means there has to be certain weaknesses too. Though in case of Mahatma Gandhi, there is hardly anyone around the world who could have pointed any criticism or weakness of his, but certain criticism regarding the weakness in his approach had been discussed. His concept of communicating to heart and religious metaphysics has been criticised. He believed in soul and it was selfishness and hatred that prevented people from reaching the soul. So critics did not welcome his concepts of spirituality in the scenario of revolution or independence movements. In the context of his leadership for Indian independence or movement in Africa, it can be said that Mahatma Gandhi had to face severe hardships. He went to jail several times and went for hunger strikes, too, for independence of his country but he never took the path of violence in such situations. Conclusion Generally research is done on the life of leaders and their achievements, but in this study the leadership style and qualities of an extraordinary leader Mahatma Gandhi have been studied. Mahatma Gandhi was indeed an exemplary leader, who had inborn qualities of a leader. He belonged to an upper-middle class Indian family who could afford an affluent lifestyle for him. He completed his studies in England but was drawn towards the plight the African and the Asians were facing due to race and colour discrimination (Spear, 1969, pp. 291–293). After this the real Gandhi came out and he spends his entire life serving people and fighting for them to provide a health and free life. His approaches were totally non-violent but provoking. Mahatma Gandhi can also be considered as a transformational and charismatic leader due to his leadership traits. This also proves that he was an exemplary leader as most of the qualities that an appropriate leader must have and is explained by the leadership models in the study, were there in Mahatma Gandhi. He was Mahatma because he was selfless, simple and self-sacrificing (Bligh & Robinson, 2010, pp. 844–846). References Bilgrami, A. (2009). Gandhi's integrity. Raritan: A Quarterly Review, 21(2), 48–67. Bligh, M. C., & Robinson, J. L. (2010). Was Gandhi “charismatic”? Exploring the rhetorical leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The Leadership Quarterly, 21, 844–855. Boal, K. B., & Hooijberg, R. (2001). Strategic leadership research: Moving on. Leadership Quarterly, 11(4), 515–549. Hellriegel, D., & Slocum, J. W. (2009). Organizational behavior (12th ed.). Connecticut: Cengage Learning. Hunt, R. W. (2003). Mohandas K. Gandhi: Citizenship and community for an industrial age. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 23(3), 192–200. Lal, V. (2009). Gandhi's West, the West's Gandhi. 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