Leadership

Leadership is a relationship between the leader and the led. The leader uses passion and emotion while the manager uses a more formal, rational method [1]. Early Leadership lessons came from my father and later from National Cadet Corps, the youth organization ably led by Major James Joseph at SB College NCC Unit. James sir, my seniors and mates in this organization has always been great examples of leadership.

In Leadership secrets it says:

• Have a clear vision, a separate direction and a goal for your organization.
• Communicate your vision, strategy, goals and mission to everyone involved.
• Listen to what others tell you.
• Surround yourself with the right people and strong team.
• Apply the golden rule- Treat others the same way you want to be treated.
• Lead by example - Take responsibility and make tough decisions.
• Constantly innovate to gain and sustain competitive advantage.
• Plan everything and leave nothing to chance.

A leader needs to have the attributes of sound physically, personality traits, character and intellectual abilities. In the recent years leadership style has undergone major changes and the style many leaders adopt is of servant leadership. Jim Parker, former CEO Southwest Airlines states ' Be a servant leader. I believe that as a leader one must have a true desire to serve in order to be effective. I see my role as a servant leader as one that encourages employees, to always stretch their abilities to next level so that they will grow in their positions'. A leader is best when people barely know he exists. For a good leader who talks little when his work is done and his aim fulfiled they will say 'we did it ourselves'.

While early enough inspired by the leadership at ISRO often etched out by Kalam in his books, over time, by virtue of working under the guidance of good leadership and imbibing the best by virtue of being part of IET and IEEE, have started to come across own style of leadership. Highly influenced by the writings of Peshawaria and Kramer, kind of treat From Values to Action as bible for leadership [2,3]. I have seen great leadership traits in Jan Bosch, Professor and head of Software Center, should say have been fortunate to have worked with inspiring leaders like Padmasri and Latha. Has always been inspired by leadership at ABB. Leaders like previous CTO, Claes Rytoft , Previous CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer, current CTO Bazmi Husain, who had been center director when I joined Indian office all have set great examples. Of late after reading his book Hit Refresh, Satya Nadella style has been an influence [4].

References

• 1. Lucy C. Morse, Daniel L. Babcock, 'Managing Engineering and Technology, 5th Edition', Pearson.
• 2. Rajeev Peshawaria, 'Too Many Bosses, Too Few Leaders'
• 3. Harry M. Jansen Kraemer Jr., 'From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership'.
• 4. Satya Nadella, 'Hit Refresh'.