"...a brave new experiment. ... time to suspend cynicism and give it a chance." Anand Mahindra on Kejriwal becoming the CM of Delhi
There has long been a dearth of a new political leadership models in India and with Arvind Kejriwal's bursting on the scene with his radical, honest leadership promise, he offers a new brave model of leadership. Though the model is yet to be tested in the fire and ice of the muddy waters of the Indian political and societal scene, it will be worthwhile to examine closely, the Kejriwal model of leadership. One learns that a number of young people, inspired by Kejriwal's success, are seriously considering, or have already taken up, a life in politics, and this exercise could provide a model they could well replicate.
Action Orientatation
Within three days of his becoming a chief minister, Kejriwal has come good on his promise of 700 litres of water per household per day. Albeit at a cost of a 40 crore subsidy for the next three months (end March 2014), which Kejriwal calls a 'good' subsidy. He has also rejected a security escort, a car with a red beacon and a large house he is entitled to. This shunning of all the symbols of power our leaders love to flaunt, is a radical new step in political leadership. We have to wait and watch how he fulfills his other two radical promises of regularizing f illegal slums and a 50% cut in electricity tariff. Till the time he does that, let us examine what his leadership model looks like.
Decoding Kejriwal's Leadership Model
Kejriwal's action orientation offers a handy and very evocative model - the ACTION Leadership Model, and here's what it expands to look like:
Accountable: Deliver or step down (His 18 promises)
Consensual: Seek opinion of those who you lead (His SMS survey)
Transparent: Do not keep important things secret from your followers (Sources of funds have been declared)
Innovative: Do not be afraid of making 'brave' promises, but prove you can deliver too!
'Onest: Have zero-tolerance for corruption and ensure honesty in the dealings of the bureaucracy with the public.
Norm-setting: Be unconventional (Symbols of power such as a red bacon atop car, security escort have been shed. Traveled by Metro to his swearing-in at the Ram Lila grounds)
An ACT to Follow?
The kind of political leadership model Kejriwal has adopted, is certainly brave one, and yes there has been a lot of cynicism whether he would be able to live up to his promises. But, as Anand Mahindra says, we ought to suspend judgement and at least give him a chance to come true. In the meantime he offers politicians, as well as students of management and leadership an innovative new model to study and work on.
There has long been a dearth of a new political leadership models in India and with Arvind Kejriwal's bursting on the scene with his radical, honest leadership promise, he offers a new brave model of leadership. Though the model is yet to be tested in the fire and ice of the muddy waters of the Indian political and societal scene, it will be worthwhile to examine closely, the Kejriwal model of leadership. One learns that a number of young people, inspired by Kejriwal's success, are seriously considering, or have already taken up, a life in politics, and this exercise could provide a model they could well replicate.
Action Orientatation
 |
| Source: mysay.in |
Decoding Kejriwal's Leadership Model
Kejriwal's action orientation offers a handy and very evocative model - the ACTION Leadership Model, and here's what it expands to look like:
 |
| Source:www.oswega.edu |
Accountable: Deliver or step down (His 18 promises)
Consensual: Seek opinion of those who you lead (His SMS survey)
Transparent: Do not keep important things secret from your followers (Sources of funds have been declared)
Innovative: Do not be afraid of making 'brave' promises, but prove you can deliver too!
'Onest: Have zero-tolerance for corruption and ensure honesty in the dealings of the bureaucracy with the public.
Norm-setting: Be unconventional (Symbols of power such as a red bacon atop car, security escort have been shed. Traveled by Metro to his swearing-in at the Ram Lila grounds)
An ACT to Follow?
The kind of political leadership model Kejriwal has adopted, is certainly brave one, and yes there has been a lot of cynicism whether he would be able to live up to his promises. But, as Anand Mahindra says, we ought to suspend judgement and at least give him a chance to come true. In the meantime he offers politicians, as well as students of management and leadership an innovative new model to study and work on.
No comments:
Post a Comment