What it takes to be a Political leader and important qualities of a Good Leader
Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the right things.
– Peter Drucker
Mark Skousen says, “We shall never change our political leaders until we change the people who elect them.” Hence its important as citizens to elect the right leader who can create transformation.
But surprisingly today’s politicians say, “They are going to do one thing while they intend to do another. Then they do neither what they said nor what they intended.”
What it takes to be a good political leader?
A good political leader is one who is capable to take decisions, determined to work for the betterment, has the willingness to manage & rectify issues and importantly stand up for what is right. A political leader should not be worried about his/her position, power and authority. He should always work for the growth of the society and should value his citizens. Every political leader should inherit the skills and research capabilities to think and act towards future growth. A successful leader, should have five major virtues: Discipline, Trustworthiness, Courage, Humaneness, Intelligence.
Of all the leadership roles, political leaders are always on top of everyone’s mind because they are in the news always for one reason or the other. Around the world there are many aspiring political leaders but unfortunately, there are few leaders who live up to the ethics and principles.
“The future lies with those wise political leaders who realize that the great public is interested more in Government than in Politics.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
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In India, most of the political leaders lack the basic and important leadership qualities such as accountability, transparency, availability and integrity. Some of these leaders even indulge in corruption and other illegal activities. In the present generation the word “political leaders” has a negative opinion on the citizens, which is not a surprise. However, the present developments show us that the upcoming young leaders are following the leadership ideals. We are seeing some positive changes in Indian politics, which is welcoming.
Having responsible politicians in the governing body is important as they are the decision makers of the country, state and other public affairs. They have the power to manage, distribute the economic resources, build relationships with stakeholders and make decisions that can have a great impact on the well-being of a nation. As a responsible citizens we expect our politicians to focus more on long-term plans for the wellness of the nation than the short-term plans.
Responsibility is one of the most important leadership qualities. Most political leaders point fingers at other leaders rather than taking the responsibility upon them. Leaders should acknowledge other leaders contribution towards society. They should accept their own faults/ failures /mistakes and should always work towards their betterment.
A leader who is honest, accountable and takes responsibility for his/her own decisions and actions has the quality to become a great leader.
“Not all civil servants admire strong political leadership. But if you want to change things for the better, you need strong political leadership”. – Harriet Harman
Important Qualities of a good political leader:
- He/she must be capable of making tough and brave decisions for better future of public.
- He/she should have the courage to stand up and say what needs to be said rather than just tell what people like.
- He/she should work for people’s well-being rather than fighting for their better political positions.
- He/she must listen to the people and represent them faithfully.
- He/she should be loyal to the people he/she represents. And he/she should be loyal to other leaders so that they can work together and face problems together.
- Regardless of political parties and opinions, one should work with a range of other peoples to achieve the greatest good for the general public.
- He/she should resist themselves from various temptations of the political arena.
- He/she should be humble and down to earth. He/she should consider that he is just a leader and not owner of the people he represents.
Importance of leadership in society:
- Leadership is instrumental for social change. Overcoming social problems or modernizing and abolishing social norms has been impossible without the right kind of leadership.
- Leaders work for goodness of society, respect their people’s voice, creates a positive and happy society, and keep these people motivated and inspired.
- Leadership will emphasize the importance of education, picking the right career, working hard and focusing on performance.
- Some communities and societies are often remembered by their leaders and its exceptional social phenomenon that one leader can’t shape the future of the general public. They make them feel closer to each other and strengthen their bonds.
- Leader has a capable of visualize the people needs from different angles and plan things accordingly. This would enable proper distribution of development and ensure productive results.