Mahatma Gandhi: A True Leader

Mahatma Gandhi- a name that needs no introduction to the Indians. He is a household name with the image of being one of India’s greatest political and spiritual leaders of the twentieth century. A man of principles, he is said to have derived these principles from his Hindu religion and the teachings instilled into him by his mother at a tender age. He eventually began to believe that the dignity of man required obedience to a higher law- that was of the spirit- the Law of Love ruled mankind (Nazareth, 2007). Truth was real for him and he considered it equivalent to God. Throughout his life he emphasized on the value of truth as a means of justice which he equated with the attainment of peace in one’s life.

Non-violence was the motto of his

When Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership is talked about, his roles as a leader have not been limited to just leading the freedom movement of the nation but also leading his own life as well as improving and shaping the lives of the people associated or not associated with him. Gandhi was always a people’s man and worked immensely to serve the people. He empathized with people and was a good receptor to their needs and problems. He was very tolerant of any mishappenings and was flexible in his styles of working. He was forgiving in nature and did not strive for recognition. He kept learning from all that happened around him and built on experiences along with leading his followers. Through these he portrayed his Servant Leadership style (Greenleaf). The teachings of his religion were deep-rooted in him and he was a visionary. He believed in sticking to honesty at all times and was against the use of unethical means. He strived towards uplifting the people associated with him morally and spiritually. He emphasized on people to believe in personal freedom and not give away themselves for the fear of any person or situation. He engrossed himself in the sense of duty, thus showing his Dharmic Leadership style. His Transformational Leadership style came forward when he came up with a shared vision of an independent India. He participated hugely in community building and challenging the old assumptions. He worked towards empowering the people of the society towards being more independent for a living. At every step he encouraged his followers to bring about a change in their lives and towards the society by resorting to all ethical