An Analysis of the Leadership Style of Mahatma Gandhi

Introduction

Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar, a seaside town in modern-day Gujarat, India, in 1869. He received legal training in London and practiced law in South Africa, where he actively fought against racial prejudice encountered by Indians. This encounter affected his beliefs in nonviolent resistance and his determination to fight for justice peacefully. Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and became the head of the Indian National Congress, playing an essential role in the Indian independence fight (Kumar & Dhiman, 2020).

Gandhi’s leadership style was defined by his devotion to nonviolence, civil disobedience, and self-sacrifice. He believed in setting a good example by living a bare and austere lifestyle. Gandhi stressed personal change and spiritual growth as vital components of good Leadership. His approach to Leadership was based on his idea that everyone can lead and that Leadership is a significant duty (Kumar & Dhiman, 2020).

Transformational Leadership is the leadership philosophy that will be discussed in this article. This idea highlights the need for leaders to motivate followers to attain shared objectives while encouraging personal growth and development (Kumar & Dhiman, 2020). Transformational leaders are noted for their ability to see the future, empower people to embrace that vision, and motivate them to strive toward it. They also emphasize developing connections with followers and fostering a healthy workplace culture that promotes trust and respect.

The Three C’s of Leadership

• Gandhi was an excellent orator; he could clearly explain his goals and motivate people to join his movement. He was able to communicate with individuals from all walks of life because of the clarity and simplicity of his language. To further disseminate his ideas, he also gave talks, sent letters, and wrote pieces for newspapers.
• Knowing oneself: Gandhi was a leader who knew both his talents and flaws inside and out. He understood that his position of authority did not come from any innate superiority on his part but rather from his dedication to a life of service to others. He was able to maintain his modesty and his pursuit of progress because of this understanding of himself.
• Gandhi’s strategic mind allowed him to devise and carry out complex strategies for significant political and social transformation. He could analyze the problems confronting his movement analytically and creatively and adjust his tactics accordingly. He could also foresee how his adversaries would respond and adjust his strategy appropriately.

Three Traits of an Effective Leader

• Gandhi was a leader with much compassion for people’s plights. He could identify with their situation and see things from their point of view. Because of this, he could strike up meaningful conversations with individuals and rally them to his cause.
• Gandhi believed that a leader must be someone whose actions others would want to emulate. He was a model of the austere lifestyle he advocated. He was able to motivate people by demonstrating his willingness to give up comforts and conveniences for the sake of his mission.
• His dedication to peaceful resistance distinguished Gandhi’s leadership style. He thought that war bred more war and that nonviolent methods could only bring about real change. He inspired many others to participate in peaceful demonstrations and civil disobedience, ultimately leading to significant political and social changes.

Characteristics of a good leader:

• Gandhi was a leader renowned for uncompromising adherence to his moral and ethical beliefs. He was a man of unwavering moral character, unafraid to fight for his principles no matter the cost.
• Despite his many accomplishments and the adoration of his followers, Gandhi never lost his sense of humility. He was neither ambitious nor self-centered but instead dedicated his life to helping others around him.
• Gandhi was a leader with a compelling vision for the future because he was a visionary. He hoped for and labored ceaselessly for the day India would be free of British domination. His ability to motivate people to believe in and help realize his goals is a testament to his Leadership.

Effective communication was the key to Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership success. Gandhi was a gifted orator who could rally support for his cause by explaining his goals to others. He was able to communicate with individuals from all walks of life because of the clarity and simplicity of his language. Gandhi understood that clear and concise communication was the key to motivating people and bringing about social change. His words struck a chord with the audience, and they were moved to take action. Gandhi’s oratory talents stood out in his ability to explain complicated concepts that ordinary people could understand. For instance, nonviolent resistance was explained to his followers using straightforward metaphors and analogies, making it easier for them to grasp and implement as a tactic for social and political change.

Gandhi’s leadership style, “leading by example,” was a significant factor in his accomplishments. Gandhi felt that leading by example was the key to success as a leader. He was a model of the austere lifestyle he advocated (Kumar & Dhiman, 2020). He was able to motivate people by demonstrating his willingness to give up comforts and conveniences for the sake of his mission. His supporters were incredibly moved by Gandhi’s dedication to his beliefs and readiness to make personal sacrifices for them. For instance, when Gandhi decided to fast in protest of British rule in India, he rallied lakhs of people to his cause and ushered in significant political and social reforms.

Gandhi’s success may be attributed mainly to his honesty as a leader. Gandhi was a leader revered for his unflinching adherence to his ideas and convictions. He was a man of unwavering moral character, unafraid to fight for his principles no matter the cost. Integrity was crucial for Gandhi since it established his reputation and earned him the respect of his supporters (Kumar & Dhiman, 2020). His disciples saw that he was not driven by ego or self-interest but rather by a dedication to the common good. This contributed to his movement’s success by giving his adherents a shared feeling of identity and mission. Gandhi’s constant dedication to nonviolence, for instance, aided in establishing his authority and trustworthiness among his followers and fostering a strong feeling of unity and purpose.

Transformational Leadership may be used to explain Gandhi’s approach to Leadership. Those who follow a leader who practices transformational Leadership are inspired and motivated to work together toward a shared objective. Leaders with transformational abilities can motivate others to strive toward a future shared vision they have crafted. They can inspire their followers to take the initiative and fully invest in the group’s success. Inspiring people to reach their full potential and follow their lead is a common trait of transformational leaders.

Idealized influence, inspiring motivation, intellectual stimulation, and personalized attention are the four pillars upon which transformational Leadership rests. The capacity to set an example for one’s followers is what is meant by “idealized influence.” Inspiring one’s followers to work together toward a similar goal is an example of inspirational motivation. In order to intellectually stimulate listeners, one must push them to solve difficulties in novel ways (Kumar & Dhiman, 2020). To show individualized concern, a leader must be perceptive of and responsive to the unique requirements of each subordinate.

Using the principles of Transformational Leadership, we shall analyze Gandhi’s approach to Leadership. Gandhi was a revolutionary figure who galvanized his supporters to fight for India’s independence and freedom. He successfully unites his supporters with a common goal for the future. In doing so, he gave his followers agency and instilled in them a desire to contribute to the group’s success.

Gandhi’s approach to Leadership exemplifies the four tenets of transformational management. First and foremost, he set an example for his followers by leading with simplicity and austerity in his own life. Idealized influence manifests itself here. Second, his words, books, and exemplary behavior inspired and drove those who followed him. This kind of encouragement is very inspiring. Thirdly, he encouraged his followers to solve difficulties in unconventional ways. For instance, his peaceful opposition to British authority in India was an original approach to a perplexing situation. As an instance of mental stimulation, consider this.

At last, Gandhi could identify and meet the specific requirements of his devotees. His fans felt a strong camaraderie because of his ability to put themselves in their shoes. This is an example of personalized care. Generally, Gandhi’s approach to Leadership is an example of transformational Leadership. He was able to get his followers invested in the mission at hand and committed to seeing it through by instilling in them a feeling of agency and ownership.

Transformational leadership theory is a good match for Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to Leadership. Gandhi was a transformative leader because he could see a better future for his people and motivate them to strive toward it. He gave his supporters agency and a shared feeling of responsibility for achieving India’s independence.

The idealistic influence, inspiring motivation, intellectual stimulation, and personalized concern that define Transformational Leadership were all present in Gandhi’s approach to Leadership. First and foremost, Gandhi was a spiritual leader for his followers by maintaining a modest and austere lifestyle. Idealized influence manifests itself here (Ladkin & Patrick, 2022). Second, through his words, books, and exemplary behavior, he inspired and drove those who followed him. This kind of encouragement is very inspiring. Thirdly, he encouraged his followers to solve difficulties in unconventional ways. For instance, his peaceful opposition to British authority in India was an original approach to a perplexing situation. As an instance of mental stimulation, consider this.

At last, Gandhi could identify and meet the specific requirements of his devotees. His fans felt a strong camaraderie because of his ability to put themselves in their shoes. This is an example of personalized care.

Gandhi was able to inspire and encourage people via his words and deeds, which was a hallmark of his leadership style. He was an excellent orator, and his passionate descriptions of his ideal India moved his followers to action. The notion of Transformational Leadership is also shown by his advocacy of peaceful resistance as a strategy for effecting change (Ladkin & Patrick, 2022). Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance was a potent means of galvanizing his supporters and creating a shared purpose.

Many things contributed to Mahatma Gandhi’s success as a leader. His capacity to model and advocate for Leadership based on core principles is crucial. Integrity, compassion, fairness, and respect for others are at the core of a values-based leadership strategy, as described by (Dhiman & Kumar, 2020). This style of Leadership entails making decisions and acting following shared principles between the leader and the group. For the most part, Gandhi stuck to a set of principles that he dubbed his “experiments with truth.” These principles are honesty, pacifism, and a focus on the essentials. His life was austerity; he wore plain clothing and lived in a modest home. A potent manifestation of his principles was that he used peaceful opposition to bring about change (Lewa et al., 2023). His leadership effectiveness may be directly attributed to his dedication to moral Leadership.

Making his followers feel like they belonged to something bigger than themselves was crucial to Gandhi’s success. Mulinge (2023) argues that transformational leaders unite their followers around a single vision and motivate them to act in concert to achieve it. Gandhi accomplished this by calling on his followers to work together as one. He advocated for the equality of all Indians, regardless of their caste, religion, or socioeconomic standing. Because of this, his followers had a strong feeling of community and belonging, which encouraged them to join the independence struggle.

Gandhi’s success may be partly explained by his capacity to modify his leadership approach in response to the changing circumstances he encountered. Lewa et al. (2022) argue that for transformational leaders to be successful, they need the flexibility to modify their approach to Leadership as needed. Gandhi illustrated this by using various techniques and tactics to advance his causes as appropriate to each given situation. For instance, he challenged British authority in India via civil disobedience and peaceful resistance while simultaneously fostering partnerships with other parties, such as the Muslim League, to further Indian unity.

A comparison of Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to Leadership with those of transactional and transformational leaders is shown in the following chart:

Conclusion

As a result of his unwavering dedication to truth, nonviolence, and selfless devotion to others, Mahatma Gandhi was an extraordinary leader. His charismatic Leadership inspired millions to take up arms for the cause of Indian independence and social justice, and he did so without resorting to violence. We learned more about his legacy and effect on the globe by analyzing the leadership abilities, behaviors, and attributes that best explain his success and by relating his leadership style to the transformational leadership theory.

Northouse (2019) writes that “Gandhi’s philosophy of leadership is based on his deep belief in the power of the individual and the ability of ordinary people to bring about change” (p. 144). This remark captures the essence of Gandhi’s approach to Leadership, which was to encourage followers to make a difference in their local communities via direct action. “Transformational leaders inspire and empower followers to achieve greatness and create a better world” (Northouse, 2019, p. 162) is another insightful passage from the textbook. This phrase is emblematic of Gandhi’s leadership philosophy, which aimed to motivate his followers to make the world a better place by uniting around common goals and beliefs rather than resorting to violence.

References

Dhiman, S., & Kumar, V. (2020). New Horizons in Transformational Leadership: A Vedāntic Perspective on Values-Based Leadership. New Horizons in Positive Leadership and Change: A Practical Guide for Workplace Transformation, pp. 381-412.

Kumar, V., & Dhiman, S. (2020). Happiness and workplace well-being: Transformational Leadership and the role of ethical and spiritual values. The Palgrave handbook of workplace well-being, 1-44.

Ladkin, D., & Patrick, C. B. (2022). Whiteness in leadership theorizing: A critical analysis of race in Bass’ transformational leadership theory. Leadership, 18(2), 205-223.

Lewa, P. M., Mburu, M. M., & Murigi, R. M. M. (2022). Transformational Leadership and Change Management in Dynamic Contexts. In Leading With Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Approaches, Practices and Cases for Integral Leadership Strategy (pp. 47-65). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

Mulinge, P. (2023). Value-Centered Leadership: Centrality of the Biblical Concept of Love for Transformational Leadership in the Contemporary Contexts. ShahidiHub International Journal of Education, Humanities & Social Science, 1(1), 1-21.