• Business
    • Case Studies
    • Companies
    • Growth
    • Strategy
  • Functional
    • Finance
    • HR
    • Marketing
    • Science & Tech
  • Leadership
    • Be a Leader
    • Books
    • LDR Show
    • Leadership Nuggets
    • Movie Wisdom
    • Podcasts
    • Women & Leadership
  • Personal
    • Character
    • Values
    • Competence
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • E-Mag
  • Assessments
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
Leaderonomics.com
Leaderonomics.com
  • Business
    • Case Studies
      Crisis Communication: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

      Crisis Communication: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

      The 5 Step Plan to a Winning Social Media Presence

      The 5 Step Plan to a Winning Social Media Presence

      Embracing Digital To Power Growth

      Embracing Digital To Power Growth

      Malaysia: Celebrating A Nation's History

      Malaysia: Celebrating A Nation's History

    • Companies
      The Secret Sauce Behind the Success of a Co-Working Space

      The Secret Sauce Behind the Success of a Co-Working Space

      Women in Leadership: Opportunities, Balance, Challenges and Support

      Women in Leadership: Opportunities, Balance, Challenges and Support

      "As you keep developing your skills, you become like a fine wine", Says Nithin Kamath

      "As you keep developing your skills, you become like a fine wine", Says Nithin Kamath

      Why Connection is the Key to Organisational Performance

      Why Connection is the Key to Organisational Performance

    • Growth
      Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Disengaged Employees

      Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Disengaged Employees

      The Importance of Legacy in Leadership

      The Importance of Legacy in Leadership

      The Secret Sauce Behind the Success of a Co-Working Space

      The Secret Sauce Behind the Success of a Co-Working Space

      Women in Leadership: Opportunities, Balance, Challenges and Support

      Women in Leadership: Opportunities, Balance, Challenges and Support

    • Strategy
      Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Disengaged Employees

      Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Disengaged Employees

      Pssst! Are You Overworked?

      Pssst! Are You Overworked?

      "As you keep developing your skills, you become like a fine wine", Says Nithin Kamath

      "As you keep developing your skills, you become like a fine wine", Says Nithin Kamath

      What If You Ran Your Business Like an Over-Achieving Spanish Soccer Club?

      What If You Ran Your Business Like an Over-Achieving Spanish Soccer Club?

  • Functional
    • Finance
      How Your Personality with Money Can Influence Your Financial Decisions

      How Your Personality with Money Can Influence Your Financial Decisions

      Making It in Corporate Finance

      Making It in Corporate Finance

      The Disruption in Accounting and Finance

      The Disruption in Accounting and Finance

      An Income for Everyone

      An Income for Everyone

    • HR
      The Six Pillars of Vibrant Workplace Culture

      The Six Pillars of Vibrant Workplace Culture

      A Lesson in Leadership from the HR Perspective

      A Lesson in Leadership from the HR Perspective

      Understanding Performance Management Today

      Understanding Performance Management Today

      Change and Disruption: Fight It or Embrace It?

      Change and Disruption: Fight It or Embrace It?

    • Marketing
    • Science & Tech
      6 Key Digital Trends to Look Out for in 2020 and Beyond

      6 Key Digital Trends to Look Out for in 2020 and Beyond

      How Embodying Trust Builds Big Picture Leadership Capability

      How Embodying Trust Builds Big Picture Leadership Capability

      The Future of the Wood Manufacturing Industry in Malaysia

      The Future of the Wood Manufacturing Industry in Malaysia

      Building Technical Competencies to Support Vision

      Building Technical Competencies to Support Vision

  • Leadership
    • Be a Leader
      A Lesson in Leadership from the HR Perspective

      A Lesson in Leadership from the HR Perspective

      Fastest Woman on Earth Leaves Competition in the Dust

      Fastest Woman on Earth Leaves Competition in the Dust

      Should a 4-Day Workweek Be the New Norm?

      Should a 4-Day Workweek Be the New Norm?

      Let's Lead People to be Their Best Selves

      Let's Lead People to be Their Best Selves

    • Books
      Lessons from Tara Westover's Memoir, 'Educated'

      Lessons from Tara Westover's Memoir, 'Educated'

      Michelle Obama Says One Decision Separates People Who Achieve Success from The Rest

      Michelle Obama Says One Decision Separates People Who Achieve Success from The Rest

      Why You Should Assess A Leader’s Capacity For Critical Thinking And Judgment

      Why You Should Assess A Leader’s Capacity For Critical Thinking And Judgment

      5 Skills You Need To Be A Great CEO

      5 Skills You Need To Be A Great CEO

    • LDR Show
      It Started as a Fluke: Making It in the Hotel Business

      It Started as a Fluke: Making It in the Hotel Business

      Leaving a Mark That Goes Beyond Business

      Leaving a Mark That Goes Beyond Business

      Through the Ups and Downs of Business

      Through the Ups and Downs of Business

      Coding Made Easy with Low Code

      Coding Made Easy with Low Code

    • Leadership Nuggets
      Leadership in Four Dimensions: Jonas Prising on Human Resources, Malaysia and Leadership

      Leadership in Four Dimensions: Jonas Prising on Human Resources, Malaysia and Leadership

      "Have Intentionality In Your Daily Life", says Kim Underhill

      "Have Intentionality In Your Daily Life", says Kim Underhill

      "Explorers Are Map Makers", Says Jana Stanfield

      "Explorers Are Map Makers", Says Jana Stanfield

      Leadership Nuggets: Worry Not When We Fail

      Leadership Nuggets: Worry Not When We Fail

    • Movie Wisdom
      What I Learnt About Leadership from the Game of Thrones

      What I Learnt About Leadership from the Game of Thrones

      Lessons From Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

      Lessons From Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

      Leadership Lessons From Madam Secretary

      Leadership Lessons From Madam Secretary

      Lessons From A 68-Year-Old Classic That Changed The Face Of Visual Storytelling

      Lessons From A 68-Year-Old Classic That Changed The Face Of Visual Storytelling

    • Podcasts
      The Importance of Legacy in Leadership

      The Importance of Legacy in Leadership

      The Secret Sauce Behind the Success of a Co-Working Space

      The Secret Sauce Behind the Success of a Co-Working Space

      Understanding Performance Management Today

      Understanding Performance Management Today

      Personal Change Affecting  Your Career

      Personal Change Affecting Your Career

    • Women & Leadership
      Women in Leadership: Opportunities, Balance, Challenges and Support

      Women in Leadership: Opportunities, Balance, Challenges and Support

      3 Easy Ways Women Can Demonstrate Their Authority at Work

      3 Easy Ways Women Can Demonstrate Their Authority at Work

      Be A Leader With Queen Oprah

      Be A Leader With Queen Oprah

      5 Lessons from the Life of Chetna Sinha

      5 Lessons from the Life of Chetna Sinha

  • Personal
    • Character
      J.K. Rowling Says Success Has Nothing to Do With 'Destiny'

      J.K. Rowling Says Success Has Nothing to Do With 'Destiny'

      How to Overcome Overthinking and Get More Done

      How to Overcome Overthinking and Get More Done

      11 Things Organised and Productive People Do Every Day

      11 Things Organised and Productive People Do Every Day

      Hiking – Reflections That Will Take You to Greater Heights

      Hiking – Reflections That Will Take You to Greater Heights

    • Values
      J.K. Rowling Says Success Has Nothing to Do With 'Destiny'

      J.K. Rowling Says Success Has Nothing to Do With 'Destiny'

      Hiking – Reflections That Will Take You to Greater Heights

      Hiking – Reflections That Will Take You to Greater Heights

      The Power of Compassion in Leadership

      The Power of Compassion in Leadership

      Raise Your Game: Forming Your Identity

      Raise Your Game: Forming Your Identity

    • Competence
      J.K. Rowling Says Success Has Nothing to Do With 'Destiny'

      J.K. Rowling Says Success Has Nothing to Do With 'Destiny'

      How to Overcome Overthinking and Get More Done

      How to Overcome Overthinking and Get More Done

      11 Things Organised and Productive People Do Every Day

      11 Things Organised and Productive People Do Every Day

      Infographic: How Good Are Your Problem Solving Skills?

      Infographic: How Good Are Your Problem Solving Skills?

  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • E-Mag
  • Assessments
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    • Youtube
    • Instagram
Home
Life Inspired

The Leadership of Indira Gandhi

November 4th, 2016 Life Inspired

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
The Leadership of Indira GandhiLife Inspired

LDR-PDF-download-110x110

By SANDY CLARKE

*This article is written as a tribute to the third Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated.

I am alive today, I may not be there tomorrow. . . .I shall continue to serve until my last breath and, when I die, I can say that every drop of my blood will invigorate India and strengthen it.

These words were spoken by India’s third Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, on the eve of her assassination, which took place on Oct 31, 1984.

In the exploration of leadership, there are fewer more complex leaders than Gandhi – a woman who is often mistaken as being related to Mahatma Gandhi, but who is, like her namesake, an iconic figure in India’s colourful history.

Indira Gandhi served as Prime Minster of India from Jan 24, 1966 until March 24, 1977, and then again from Jan 14, 1980 until Oct 31, 1984.

Her assassination came at the hands of her two Sikh bodyguards, in retaliation for her Operation Blue Star, where she ordered Indian Army troops to attack the Golden Temple – the Sikhs’ holiest place of worship – in an effort to assert her control.

Photo source: www.funyarn.com

Photo source: www.funyarn.com

A controversial yet impactful leader

In a New York Times obituary from 1984, Gandhi’s personal character received a less-than-glowing appraisal.

From the article, “As a private person, Mrs Gandhi seemed aloof, chilly, complex, giving no clue in her withdrawn, quiet personality as to why her public figure should appeal as it did to many millions of Indians.

She could be rude, sometimes opening letters and signing papers when foreigners visited her in the red sandstone Indian Parliament or the nearby South Block of the secretariat.”

Her political leadership divides the opinion of commentators as much as her personality. While some saw Gandhi as aloof and insular, others admired her strength of character and iron will to put India on the map.

On the domestic front, she managed to steer India to a 20% reduction in poverty, increase literacy levels by 30%, and raise food production to 25%.

While she was well-known for her charisma and communication skills, many saw her leadership as the reason behind the damage to India’s economy during her years of public service. She is also viewed to have done little to alleviate problems of hunger, sanitation, religious conflict, and caste that blighted the country.

As a leader, she was immeasurably strong-willed, and used questionable means to consolidate her power by implementing state of emergency, imprisoning opponents, and violently cracking down on adversaries, to name just a few of the ways in which she ruthlessly fought her corner.

It couldn’t have been easy to lead the world’s most populous democracy of 700 million people and, despite her often unorthodox means of leadership – keeping in mind her parents fought for democracy and freedom – it seemed an insurmountable challenge to combat the extreme levels of poverty and religious divisions that existed during her time as Prime Minister.

Gandhi also found herself having to cope with a personal life that was as tempestuous as her political career.

With a marriage that few people in India supported (which eventually failed), dealing with the loss of a son who died in a plane crash, and trouble from another who was embroiled in corruption, there’s little doubt that the complexity of character of India’s third Prime Minister was heavily shaped by the challenges she endured throughout her life.

In a nutshell

Nevertheless, Gandhi’s unyielding pragmatism and cunningness undoubtedly led to the positive advances enjoyed by India that saw the country play its part on the global stage.

On her ability to cope with the demands of leading one of the world’s largest nations, she offered a characteristically rational analysis, ‘’I think the only reason I’m able to survive this with equanimity is that I’m just myself, regardless of the situation in the country.

I know the condition of the people. There’s nothing I can see that I don’t know about already. It’s not that you don’t feel it, but it’s like a nurse and illness: you see it in perspective.’’

7 Inspirational Quotes from Indira Gandhi

“My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.”

“You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.”

“The power to question is the basis of all human progress.”

“Education is a liberating force, and in our age it is also a democratising force, cutting across the barriers of caste and class, smoothing out inequalities imposed by birth and other circumstances.”

“You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.”

“Whenever you take a step forward, you are bound to disturb something.”

“Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.”

Having begun his media career in politics, Sandy was able to appreciate up close that political leadership is often much more nuanced and complex than it seems on the surface. To connect with Sandy, you can follow him @RealSClarke on Twitter.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Sandy Clarke

Sandy is a freelance writer based in Malaysia, and previously enjoyed 10 years as a journalist and broadcaster in the UK. He has been fortunate to gain valuable insights into what makes us tick, which has deepened his interests in leadership, emotions, mindfulness, and human behaviour.

Share this :

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Tags
  • Be a leader
  • C-level
  • Charismatic leadership
  • communication
  • Impact and Influence
  • Indira Gandhi
  • Indira Gandhi assassination
  • Leaderonomics
  • Leaders
  • Leadership
  • Lessons from Indira Gandhi
  • Life inspired
  • PDF
  • Prime minister of India
  • Sandy Clarke
Next article Leadership Lessons From Asia & The West
Previous article Presidential Leadership: Foundations To Judge Against

Related Posts

Raise Your Game: Are You A Conductor? Be a Leader

Raise Your Game: Are You A Conductor?

Don’t Quit Your Day Job Personal

Don’t Quit Your Day Job

Be A Leader with Walt Disney Be a Leader

Be A Leader with Walt Disney

11 Things You Should Know About Gen Y Functional

11 Things You Should Know About Gen Y

Hola, Holacracy! Business

Hola, Holacracy!

Are You Listening? Be a Leader

Are You Listening?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Bahasa Malaysia | English

Pick of The Week

Dec 7th 6:47 AM
Functional

The Six Pillars of Vibrant Workplace Culture

Dec 6th 9:08 AM
Leadership

A Lesson in Leadership from the HR Perspective

Dec 5th 9:00 AM
Business

Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Disengaged Employees

NEW – The Leaderonomics Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft7JHfu_PL4

Leaderonomics FM – Now on Spotify/iTunes!

https://leaderonomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Leaderonomics-FM.wav
  • Business
  • Functional
  • Leadership
  • Personal
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • E-Mag
  • Assessments
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Back to top

About Leaderonomics.com

Leaderonomics.com is a leadership portal owned by Leaderonomics, a social enterprise passionate about transforming nations through leadership development. Leaderonomics.com features leadership insights, trends, CEOs, thought leaders, HR leaders and inspiring real-life stories for your personal and professional development.

Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy      
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this website are those of the writers or the people they quoted and not necessarily those of Leaderonomics.
[Sitemap | RSS]
Copyright © 2010-2019 Leaderonomics Media Sdn Bhd. All rights reserved