Leadership Styles--Servant Leadership
One of the most distinguished and a man with the highest integrity in Indian Cricket was and is Rahul Dravid. A person always ready to take on the best of the world's bowlers and lead the batsmen with example. One form of Leadership style which is indeed the need of the hour in today's world full of chaos, is "Servant Leadership". We all need people who are ready to lead by example, ready to lead with generosity and ready to lead with highest integrity. And some one like Rahul Dravid is a rarity. A thorough gentleman, I always felt he was in an era which was not really suited to his style but still he succeeded at the highest echelons of Cricket. An ultimate example of what discipline in life can do to a person.
A Leader not formally recognized as one, someone who comes from any level in the Organization and is ready to take on the world and one who typically leads in the manner his people want him to. Such a leadership style comes naturally to Servant Leaders. These are leaders who do not want limelight, lead from behind and provide a platform for the team to be recognized for their achievements and hard work.
When Rahul Dravid retired, he was the second highest after Tendulkar. He had the highest number of 210 catches, more than 10000 ODI runs for someone who is nicknamed "The Wall" for his slow and steady face saving batting. He never ever looked like taking the limelight despite being one of the best match winners, ever, for Indian Cricket. It is always said that Test Cricket is meditation for some of the greatest cricketers and here Dravid was the "Monk" who would sell all his cars for "Batting".
The whole team is involved in decision making under Servant Leaders. It is a type of leadership which is required when values are missing and everyone craves for someone who can bring in the good values to fore. It creates high sense of ownership among all participants. Something fresh in a "rat eat rat" world. Servant Leaders can achieve power because of their Ideals, Values & Ethics.
Unfortunately, Servant Leaders are those who are not considered when situations are competitive and require quick decisions. They are generally low profile people and when confronted by too much of unethical and bureaucratic approach they can crumble under the pressure. This was evident when there was too much of interference from Greg Chappel on Dravid and the Man took a long time to get out of the slump he got into in 2007. If not for this period of lull, he would have ended up as the highest run-getter much faster than even Tendulkar.
This type of Leadership style is most suited for Good Governance in Corporates, Politics (if really possible) and whenever it is required to serve a Team.
A Leader not formally recognized as one, someone who comes from any level in the Organization and is ready to take on the world and one who typically leads in the manner his people want him to. Such a leadership style comes naturally to Servant Leaders. These are leaders who do not want limelight, lead from behind and provide a platform for the team to be recognized for their achievements and hard work.
When Rahul Dravid retired, he was the second highest after Tendulkar. He had the highest number of 210 catches, more than 10000 ODI runs for someone who is nicknamed "The Wall" for his slow and steady face saving batting. He never ever looked like taking the limelight despite being one of the best match winners, ever, for Indian Cricket. It is always said that Test Cricket is meditation for some of the greatest cricketers and here Dravid was the "Monk" who would sell all his cars for "Batting".
The whole team is involved in decision making under Servant Leaders. It is a type of leadership which is required when values are missing and everyone craves for someone who can bring in the good values to fore. It creates high sense of ownership among all participants. Something fresh in a "rat eat rat" world. Servant Leaders can achieve power because of their Ideals, Values & Ethics.
Unfortunately, Servant Leaders are those who are not considered when situations are competitive and require quick decisions. They are generally low profile people and when confronted by too much of unethical and bureaucratic approach they can crumble under the pressure. This was evident when there was too much of interference from Greg Chappel on Dravid and the Man took a long time to get out of the slump he got into in 2007. If not for this period of lull, he would have ended up as the highest run-getter much faster than even Tendulkar.
This type of Leadership style is most suited for Good Governance in Corporates, Politics (if really possible) and whenever it is required to serve a Team.
Good one! more so as I am a staunch dravid fan! Thanks for posting... SHIVA KUMAR
ReplyDelete