Character of an Institution is Reflected in its Leader | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

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A leader in the face of an institution. He is the ambassador of the institution. ‘A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,’ says John C. Maxwell in his ‘Laws of Leadership.’ Maxwell here refers to the ideal leader. There could be a crunch of any other resource of the institution, but if entrusted in capable hands, the institution will do well. The reverse is also true.
Give the reins of a well-established institution to an inefficient leader or to someone who lacks integrity. He will bring the institution to its knees. This is the importance of a leader. The qualities of a leader, be it as a captain of a team or a corporate CEO, are almost the same. However, there would be variance in their priority, depending upon the field they represent. The style of leadership will also reveal the climate that persists in the institution.
It is also true that robust institutions nurture stronger and capable leaders. All these dimensions are touched upon with examples around us.
Remember the behaviour of the students of a class without a teacher. No wonder it is said: ‘when the cat is away, the mice will play.’ Also, remember how our response and involvement varied depending on the teacher? Just like teachers in the class, the leader sets the direction, mood, intention, and purpose of the organisation. In fact, without the head (the leader), the organisation can well be described as a headless organisation. The leader is required to inform, guide, motivate and inspire employees to achieve the desired goal.
An institution under the mentorship of a suitable leader will flourish. In such an institution, the staff turnover is negligible, they work efficiently, and still, they are happy and relaxed at work. If this is the work environment, it means the institution is in good hands. The reverse is also equally true. It is often seen that when a leader leaves an organisation to join another one, there are many in the staff that move with them. Thus, there is a major change in the composition of the workforce, especially the middle management. There are also cases where the organisations are so strong that they go on performing, even in the absence of the leader, such responsibility is endowed on the employees. This indeed is a hallmark of a great leader! So, what recourse the workers take will depend so much on the grooming received from their leaders.
Once we know the characteristics of an ideal leader, it would help us know the organization's character in an objective and methodical way, free of bias and prejudice. An ideal leader is one who is visionary, who can motivate and inspire the team to work with zeal. He sets the tone of behaviour or parameters required by living by those ideals himself. Indeed, the virtues of the Captain flow down to the team. Don’t we see the Indian cricket team at present serious about their fitness as Virat Kohli himself keeps fit?
On the national front, we were indeed fortunate to have great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. With the mention of Gandhi, the first thing that comes up is his image, clad in dhoti with a stick in his hand, leading the masses. His qualities of non-violence, love, and peace are what India itself is perceived to possess the world over.
Tatas, the entire organisation represents being ethical, as well as successful business houses. While Mukesh Ambani (though they ushered in the new phase of mobiles and later the use of the internet, by providing these services almost at a negligible cost), his image comes up as a shrewd businessman. Infosys has earned a reputation for valuing its employees. It can be seen the leader sets the policies and follows them, and thus, they flow and reflect in the organisation.
It is also true that good leaders are products of a robust organisation. Every organisation has its own integral, said, or unsaid culture. This is quite unique. Therefore, when the leader is chosen from within the organisation, the chances are that there are no drastic changes in the work ethics and policies. If a leader comes from the ‘outside’, he will bring with him a mindset, and vision that might clash with those whom he heads. No matter how good he is, if there is resistance to his viewpoint, the organization's non-acceptance surfaces, which is ultimately reflected in the fall of business performance.
When we talk about the nation, our ministers are the leaders. They function in accordance with the constitution of India. All the policies are aligned to and guided by the constitution. The preamble, the fundamental rights, the directive principles have laid down very explicitly that the morals of democracy and the people's sovereignty are protected. Leaders that implement the policies, keeping themselves aligned to the common good of the people, become leaders in the true sense and are elected to power – election after election. These leaders interact on behalf of the people with their counterparts in other countries. Whatever impression they leave on them will be summarily taken to be as the image of the country.
Good leaders realise that their own role is limited to their appointment, but institutions live forever. Hence a leader is good if he trains the employees to take over the baton of command to higher heights. Leaders can be groomed only when they get the opportunity to lead. Therefore, the policy of subsidiarity needs to be followed. Work should be delegated. It is in taking responsibility for their zone of work that the belongingness to the workplace happens. The love of the workers under them is attained, while leadership skills are honed. This balance of fulfilling the organization's purpose, managing the workforce, and getting them committed to the organisational goals, by taking care of their needs is the challenge of every leader. He keeps working on himself, on his growth, to set an example of the potential of possibilities in each one. He walks his talk. If this is in place, the organisation becomes a happy place to work in. The success of every successful operation ultimately goes to the leader.
The impact of the leader, wherever he is, whether in the private sector or public sector, can never be overemphasised. When he shows courage, grit, and humour, it reflects the atmosphere in his workplace. When he responds and is open to feedback and suggestions, it reflects the open-minded nature of the organisation. In his speech at various forums, both national and international, he is the organization's mouthpiece. He stands like a shield for the organisation. When he takes responsibility for the results of his decisions, it shows the strength of his character. However, the best leaders are those who groom each person to aspire for the next level and, in doing so, for their own replacement, too. They understand that no matter how vital they are, like the organization's face, their role is timed, and the organisations will live forever. Therefore, leaders truly reflect the character of the organisation.