Leader Selection:

Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India.

Leader Summary

Indira Gandhi, a prominent figure in Indian politics, served as Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984. Born into the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty, she inherited a complex nation grappling with poverty, inequality, and geopolitical challenges. Gandhi’s leadership was marked by a blend of decisive action, controversial policies, and a charismatic personality.

Leadership Analysis

Universal Principles

Indira Gandhi demonstrated a complex interplay of the four universal leadership principles:

• Integrity: While Gandhi exhibited strong conviction and determination, her actions, such as the declaration of a state of emergency in 1975, raise questions about her adherence to democratic principles. Her decision to intervene in the Golden Temple, a significant Sikh religious site, also challenges the notion of integrity.
• Responsibility: Gandhi displayed a strong sense of responsibility towards her nation, undertaking ambitious development projects and strengthening India’s position on the global stage. However, her handling of the Sikh crisis and the subsequent violence raised questions about her accountability for the consequences of her decisions.
• Compassion: Gandhi’s populist policies and focus on improving the lives of the poor suggest a degree of compassion. However, her actions during the Emergency, which included mass arrests and censorship, contradict this notion.
• Forgiveness: While there is limited evidence of Gandhi explicitly demonstrating forgiveness, her ability to maintain political power despite challenges and criticisms suggests a resilience that could be interpreted as a form of forgiveness.

Bases of Power

Gandhi effectively utilized multiple bases of power:

• Legitimate Power: As Prime Minister, she held formal authority and was recognized as the legitimate leader of India.
• Expert Power: Her political acumen and experience were widely respected, giving her expert power.
• Referent Power: Gandhi’s charismatic personality and connection with the masses contributed to her referent power.
• Coercive Power: Her actions during the Emergency, including mass arrests and censorship, demonstrated the use of coercive power to maintain control.

Beliefs

• People inside the organization: Gandhi viewed government officials as instruments of her policies. While she cultivated loyalty, her approach was often authoritarian.
• People outside the organization: Gandhi appealed to the masses through populist policies and nationalist rhetoric. However, her critics argued that she often marginalized dissenting voices.
• Power: Gandhi believed in the concentration of power in the hands of a strong leader. Her actions during the Emergency exemplify this belief.
• Processes and policies: Gandhi was a pragmatic leader who often prioritized political expediency over bureaucratic processes.
• Profit: While economic development was a priority, Gandhi’s socialist leanings influenced her policies, prioritizing social welfare over profit maximization.

Organizational Culture and Leadership

Gandhi’s leadership fostered a culture of centralized authority and unquestioning loyalty. Her charismatic personality and strong political will influenced followers to embrace her vision. However, the authoritarian tendencies exhibited during the Emergency eroded trust and damaged the organization’s reputation.

Gandhi’s credibility was significantly impacted by the Emergency. While she was initially seen as a strong and decisive leader, the excesses of this period eroded public confidence.

Gandhi’s ethical leadership is debatable. While she championed causes like poverty alleviation and self-reliance, her actions during the Emergency raise serious ethical concerns. The use of coercive power and suppression of dissent undermine her ethical standing.