Mahatma Gandhi's Transformational Leadership Style

INTRODUCTION

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. Leadership is a process by which a person can direct, guide and influence others in the accomplishment of a given goal. It also has the potential of the manager to influence the behaviour of other people and make the subordinates work with zeal and confidence. It can also be the human factor that binds the group together in achieving a specific goal. Leadership is an interpersonal process, the manager guiding the subordinates in achieving the goal. It also denotes the few qualities that are present in a person like confidence, intelligence and maturity. It is situation bound. There are many types of leadership. One of then is Transformational Leadership. It the type

Hence, he made a mark as a great political leader in South Africa. However, Gandhi remained a loyal citizen of the british empire and helped the british druing the Boen War.The Boer’s were simple and sturdy people with strong racial prejudices. The british Boen war happened in 1899 and Gandhi supported the Boer’s. Although the british wo the war but the Boer’s fought with determination and created a lasting impact on the Indians. Through all these actions, he turned out to be a transformational leader for the country and also fulfilled the transformational leadership theory. Transformational theory of leadership deals with the approach of leaders to focus and create valuable positive change in their followers through their leadership. Transformational leaders demonstrate four factors: individual consideration, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation and idealized influence. Keeping all these four factors in mind Gandhi was considered to be a transformational leader. He stood for what was right and revolted against the wrong. He also brought about positive changes in his followers by employing them when he was in South Africa. While he was in South Africa, he remained faithful to the British and also expected his followers

In all his movements, a basic set of rules were followed. In the Salt March, the issue was clearly identified on which the struggle would be launched. This movement gave worldwide attention and also started the Non-Cooperation Movement. The salt satyagraha marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience movement. This was in some ways more radical from the beginning than Non-cooperation. Unlike the latter, it involved a deliberate violation of the law and was not just a refusal to render voluntary services. In some areas, this was accompanied with non payment of village level chowkidari taxes as well. This situation clearly explains the leadership style of Gandhi. During the Salt March, the followers of Gandhi had created a very big impact on his followers. The followers of Gandhi had trust, admiration and respect for him. During this protest, he followed the method of non violent protest and he instilled trust and loyalty in his followers. He also enlarged the vision of his followers and also clarified purposes to make behaviour congruent with his beliefs and principles. Gandhi’s leadership is completely self made and grew to it’s greatest impact and his daily challenges and experiments with truth progressed. He did not have the benefit of a good personality or good oratory skills or leadership courses but his inner voice guided him