what are important quality of a leader according to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Answers
Answer:
LEADERSHIP: QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES
Kalam suggested the qualities and attributes a leader should possess within himself to forward his
team into progressive direction. The first attribute a leader should have, according to Kalam, is the
collective understanding of any problem. This makes him an effective leader. Abdul Kalam suggested that
the leader’s decisions are accepted by his team members. Another quality of a good leadership is the
working style of the person how he plans and organizes his tasks laid down before him. It becomes his
responsibility in taking every move forward. Any wrong move or decision may influence on the
development of his team. Moreover, the leader should unite his people with his future vision. Kalam
described the quality of a leader to make the team members together in one organization in order to realize
the vision. The leader’s way of thinking, the way of working and the way of dealing with the team members
make them to follow him. Kalam wrote – “A leader is someone whom people naturally follow by choice,
whereas a manager must be obeyed. (YBTB, p.64)” The manager deals with the people with authoritative
manner; on the contrary the leadership includes uniting of team members in a shared vision.
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
How to approach to the team members and how to face the problems coming in the way is
considered very significant in any leadership. Abdul kalam considered a leader’s approach and suggested to
make a balance in the approaches of the leader towards his team. Kalam advocated a delicate balance
between the hands-on and hands-off approach of the leader as it helps in managing the performance of the
members. Kalam defined the hands-off approach as trusting the team members and recognizing their needs.
In Abdul Kalam’s words, “It hinges on their self-motivation. (W.F., p.68)” Abdul Kalam also defined the effect
of both the approaches on the team management and wrote, “When the leader goes too far with the hands-on
approach, he is seen as an anxious and interfering type. If he goes too far hands-off, he is seen as abdicting his
responsibility or not being interested. (W.F., p.68)” It is therefore the leader has to develop an appropriate
balance between both these approaches and avoid being interfering and irresponsible to the team. Hence,
the leader should not give more than enough freedom to the members and should also not control over
them if there isn’t any need.
Answer:
Kalam described the quality of a leader to make the team members together in one organization in order to realize the vision. The leader's way of thinking, the way of working and the way of dealing with the team members make them to follow him.