Leadership Traits - First Set

Continuously, the major challenge faced by every organisation is the quality of leading that the leaders are doing. The scenario is changing dynamically at different levels, and today the leader will have to be very high on emotional intelligence.

An exemplary example we have today is Prime Minister of India - Mr Narendra Modi. His leadership style has swept all the other so-called political leaders in a big way this election. What is that he did different to get such record-breaking win in 2019 election, where he broke his party own records of 2014.

He when elected in 2014, his agenda was loud and clear, which was again and again hammered on citizens thoughts. To begin with his ideology in the same priority:

1) Emotional Intelligence: Mr Modi was apparent that he has to connect with people. As the population of the country has the power to change the scenario, all he needs to do is make them taste their power. He was successful in making this realisation through demonetisation. The way people cooperation was instilled in people mind that do not fight for ATM instead have patience and make this movement a success. ATM users are majority youth, and they immediately accepted his thought and supported. He was able to connect with people as he had the emotional intelligence to understand the problem from people perspective along with practical, financial & logical aspects

2) Decisiveness: The team in PMO was the same to a great extent, with fewer yet significant changes. He had to identify the right set of talent along with the trust in them to give him the best solutions and giving them the confidence that they will be heard if they are worth it. And if they are worth, definitely he will take the risk of implementing. The spirit he gave to his team and party for the decisions he is making and in turn proving it to the Indian population. He had the gut and intelligence to understand what is right and what is worth it. His decisions were well worked upon, and his thoughts were well aligned to goals keeping in mind the impact it will create on each individual of the country.

3) Creativity: He had resources, but he had limited time to ensure the impact in a way that he can gain people confidence in his way of leadership. A leader has to be creative enough to achieve what is aimed in the limited time and resources. For that, along with decisiveness, the other required skill is creativity. When decisions are based on creativity, they are more efficient and acceptable as it also calls for a lot of excitement to try new things. One such example was Mann ki Baat, quick way to communicate with Indians, little traditional yet a new idea.

4) Trustworthiness: Leader has to make sure that he has got chance, to sustain in this changing dynamics to survive he has to prove his ways of workings. He has to build and earn the trust of his followers. Mr Modi was able to win the conviction on his constant thrive to achieve his goals and positively propagated through media to reach each individual in one or the other way. Trust has to be earned, and the leader needs to find the best ways to communicate his trustworthiness through his actions & results. 

5) People Skills: Nothing works better to be faster than teamwork. The utilisation of the team in an optimum way requires the leader to be good at people management. When you understand the people beyond, you can connect with them most effectively. Today people skill is a core requirement for each leader to make sure that he can get work done from his team for desired results. That time had gone when people were easily influenced or exploited by leaders, or people followed not to understand the undercurrents. Along with when you are a leader, you are under continuous surveillance; hence you are dealing with people who need extra care.

6) Competence: Every job be it a leader to a resource, your competence gives you the confidence to execute the tasks effectively. If you do not understand the role & responsibilities, you will not be able to deliver the expected as you do not understand the business. Experience plays a vital role here, more the experience better the understanding of the challenges and problems to identify the solutions. As a leader, you need to understand the business; then only you can drive your team. Competence of the group does not make you a leader; your knowledge of the business should make you leader, not your power or position. Your strength and position should leverage you utilise the skills of the team, but to know the correctness of the unit, you need to have the competence. 

You are a leader or aspiring to be the leader you will require to understand the above in your scenarios to get desired results. Everything is in your hands, the choices, chances or decision you take make you effective or defective.