GSBS6060 Strategic Management

Leadership Analysis Of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Introduction

Basically, leadership can be defined as ability of an individual to influence and guide the behavior, & attitude of followers or team members. Simply, it is the art of motivating the people to act towards the attainment of common goals and objectives. Leadership is based on both borrowed and original ideas. A leader has ability to inspire and encourage other towards the common goals. Leadership involves creating strategic & sound vision, establishing long term goals, providing suggestions to followers etc. The specific purpose of this research paper is to examine the leadership process, qualities and outcomes strategically. Moreover, in the context of this paper, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) is selected as a most influential leader to evaluate his leadership decisions and qualities.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

SVP was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Kheda district. He was also called Indian statesman and served as the first deputy prime minster of India. He was also a successful lawyer/ barrister and senior leader of INC (Indian National Congress). He played principal role in the nation’s struggle for independence. He also acted as a first home minister during the time of political integration. Along with this, it should also be noted down that, he was not only the most influential leader but also Indian social leader and freedom fighter who played primary role in the independence of India. SVP was also a phenomenal leader that known for his decision making qualities and abilities to the integration of India (Betov & Szillat, 2016).

He was most inspired from the philosophy, thinking and idea of Mahatma Gandhi. Moreover, he also provided his leadership as well as guidance to the organization of Quit India Movement’. Apart from this, he was the prominent of INC who helps and supported the party for elections in 1934 and 1937. He was well known for his straight forward approach and decisive leadership. This leadership styles and approached of SVP helped in the integration of Indian states. The leadership roles played by SVP are unforgettable because his pragmatic approach helped the country in resolving knotty issues. He worked very hard with the people of India for the freedom of India (Fiaz, & Saqib, 2017).

Leadership Qualities and Traits

The following discussed are the main leadership traits and qualities that makes Patel a great and most influential leader of the India such as:

• Negotiation: Patel is also known for his negotiation abilities. As a leader he was more capable to negotiate effectively and successfully. His primary vision was to unite India from the front. For example, he negotiated with 562 princely states to join the Indian Union. Patel attained this objective in only 3 week time periods. The negotiation skills of Patel give lessons to today’s corporate leaders about how to explore all possible options.
• Flexibility: The one of the most inspiring skill of Patel was flexibility according to the situations. He was more adaptable to change or bend. He moved from one place to another to attain the common goal of freedom from British
• Never Ending Winning Sprit: Most of Indian people were motivated by Patel’s never ending sprit such as loyalty & love to motherland, motivated dedicated to work, balance in groups etc (Khorasani, & Almasifard, 2017).
• Conflict Resolution: Sardar Patel was the leader who has great conflict resolution skills. He played fundamental role in solving the conflict among the states of India.
• Team Building: It was most important characteristics of Patel. He united a number of states of India by his team building skills. Moreover, he worked in a team with the other leaders in order to attain the common goal and objective successfully. He was aware about how to deal and communicate with people and others leaders to develop a common understanding.
• Fast Decision Making: Patel was also known for his fast and accurate decision making skills. For instance, he took a number of specific decisions to make India united. The decisions made by Patel were strategically accurate and sound that helped in making the country united. Hence, Patel was a good decision maker (Knies, Jacobsen, & Tummers, 2016).
• Diplomacy: Though he was known as a man of iron will and spine; Sardar Patel also often employed diplomacy to keep the dialogue on and never closed the doors of discussion. This was an exclusive role he found and fit himself into, where the other leaders claimed helplessness. A unified India was his gift to the generations ahead.
• Stand with People: When Patel was working for the attainment of common goal and objective, he was with the people of India. He communicated with the Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah. He also established dialogue with the people who working for the common goal. He was standing with the people as a real leader with clear goal and vision. He spent his life for the help of people during and after Indian freedom.
• Goal Setting: After the partition of India, unification of Indian states was one of the huge and major tasks for Patel. But as a born leader, Patel set the goals and objectives and worked very hard toward it. On the other hand, he took the task of unifying the states that were going into wrong direction. He established dialogues with the kings to make country united (Puni, & Bosco, 2016).

Conclusion

On the basis of above discussion and analysis, it is concluded that, Patel was a great and most influential leader. He inspired people and leaders of the country from his leadership skills and qualities. He was self-educated leader who played specific role in the freedom of India. Along with this, it can be said that, as a political leader with exemplary qualities who put nation’s interest above everything. He played primary role in shaping of India into a most beautiful county. This was only possible because of his hardworking, contribution, and great efforts. On the other hand, it can also be said that, he was fully committed and dedicated to secular India. Overall, it can be summarized that, Patel was having a range of leadership qualities and from this today’s leaders can learn a number of important and valuable things successfully.

References

Betov, A., & Szillat, P. (2016). Business leadership concepts exemplified by the two exceptional leaders Daniel Vasella and Ricardo Semler. Journal of Contemporary Economic and Business Issues, 3(1), 33-60.

Fiaz, M., Su, Q., & Saqib, A. (2017). Leadership styles and employees’ motivation: Perspective from an emerging economy. The Journal of Developing Areas, 51(4), 143-156.

Khorasani, S. T., & Almasifard, M. (2017). Evolution of management theory within 20 century: A systemic overview of paradigm shifts in management. International Review of Management and Marketing, 7(3).

Knies, E., Jacobsen, C., & Tummers, L. (2016). Leadership and organizational performance. J. Storey, J. Hartley, J.-L. Denis, P.‘t Hart, & D. Ulrich, 404-418.

Puni, A., & Bosco, D. K. J. (2016). Leadership style, corporate culture and organizational performance. Research Journal of Social Science & Management, 5(10), 83-90.