A presentation on what it takes to become a true leader. It covers the attributes required to become an effective leader and expands upon whether the leaders are born or made. Examples from the life of Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw have been quoted to enrich the contents.

1. LEADERSHIP
THE GUTS IT TAKES

2. LEADERSHIP IS SOLVING PROBLEMS
•The day people stop bringing their problems
is the day you have stopped leading them.
• They have either lost confidence that you
can help, or have concluded that you do not
care.
•Either case is a case of failure of leadership.

3. GREAT LEADERS – ARE GREAT SIMPLIFIERS
•They can cut through argument,
debate, and doubt, to offer a
solution that everybody can
understand.

5. BOSS
vs
LEADER

10. WHO IS
A TRUE
LEADER?

11. TRUE LEADERSHIP COMES
FROM
•RISK TAKING
•GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN
•WHEN ONE IS DRIVEN BY A
HIGHER CAUSE
•DEEP CARE FOR OTHERS
•ACTING FOR GREATER GOOD

12. ARMY LEADERSHIP
• 1000S OF YEARS OF TRADITION AND VALUES.
• GROOMING IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF HEROES
• PERSONAL EXAMPLE – PEACETIME- CUT AND DRIED ROUTINE - COME
SHAVEN. WAR – EXTREMELY UK.
• ENVIRONMENT OF DISCIPLINE AND FEAR OF LAW
• THOROUGH PLANNING, PREPERATIONS AND REHEARSALS
• ECOSYSTEM TO LOOKAFTER THE FAMILY EVEN AFTER ONE DEAD

13. THE GUTS IT TAKES
• 1947 – JLN in a meeting of senior Cabinet Ministers and Army Officers
to select the 1st General of the Indian Army.
• He said, “I think we should appoint a British Officer as a General, as
we don’t have enough experience to lead the same.
• All in the room nodded heads in agreement.
• One senior officer, General Nathu Singh Rathore, asked for permission
to speak. JLN was taken aback. But asked Gen Rathore to speak.
• Rathore said, “You see sir, we don’t have enough experience to lead a
nation too, so shouldn’t we appoint a British person as the 1st PM of
India?
• You could hear a PIN DROP.
• ”Are you ready to be the 1st Chief of Indian Army?”, said Nehru.
• “No sir, we have a very talented officer, my senior, here – Gen KM
Cariappa, who is the most deserving.”

14. WHY INDIAN ARMY OFFICERS
MAKE GREAT LEADERS?
• They forge unwavering loyalty in their troops.
• They ride and walk among them and drink the same amount of water
their soldiers have.
• They deeply understand the physical and emotional state before a
battle.
• They lead them from the front - always and every time.
• If you want your team to follow your vision,
you’ve got to get on the frontline with them.

15. LEADERS – BORN OR MADE?
• We procreate at the rate of one Australia every year.
• So, if leaders were born, we would certainly have not
seen such shortage of leadership in every walk of life
in our country.

16. CARDINAL ATTRIBUTES OF LDRSHIP
• PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE & PROFESSIONAL
COMPETENCE (One can’t be born with it) – it’s the sine qua
non of Leadership.
• The ability to take a decision – and accepting full
responsibility for it/ stand by it. An act of omission is worse
than an act of commission. Act of commission can be
corrected – omission cannot be. FM Manekshaw used to say
– “if you must be a fool, be one quickly.”
• Impartiality and Absolute Justice - In India – types of
pressures from the environment. Salute incident.

17. CARDINAL ATTRIBUTES OF LDRSHIP
• Moral and Physical Courage
• Moral Courage – the ability to distinguish Right from
Wrong and then stand by the Right whether in speech
or action.
• A yes man is a horrible man, a disgrace, may rise very
high, he will be used by his superiors, disliked by
colleagues and will get no respect from his subordinates.

18. The PM was red in the face. She said, “OK
Cabinet will meet at 4 again.”

19. Everybody
walked out. I
was the last
to leave being
the junior
most, and I
smiled at her.
“Chief, will
you stay
back.” She
said

20. •So, I said, “Madame Prime
Minister, before you speak,
do you wish me to sent in my
resignation on the grounds of
health, mental or physical?”
•She said, ” Oh, sit down Sam.
Everything you told me, is
correct?’
•“Yes. Look it is my job to fight
and fight to win. If you ask me,
are you ready? Certainly, I am
not ready.
•REASONS: Monsoon in East
Pak, Crop season – every rail
and road space effort diverted
– may lead to famine.
Northern Passes open vs
Chinese Ultimatum.
•If you want me to do it even
now, I guarantee you a 100%
defeat. Now gim’me your
orders.
THERE IS A VERY FINE LINE
BETWEEN BECOMING A FM
AND BEING DISMISSED

22. CARDINAL ATTRIBUTES OF LDRSHIP
• Moral and Physical Courage -
• Physical Courage – Fear is a natural phenomenon.
1948,Burma. Sohan Singh LMG Gunner with Pistol –
Promoted and demoted many a time. Not included in
Promotion list. Sohan Singh Threatened. Marched up -
handed loaded pistol - slap & dismissed. Sub Balwant
Singh worried. Sohan ordered as sentry to Coy Cdr
Basha 5 O’clock – Tea + Hot water. Was there no
FEAR?

23. • Loyalty. Do we give it to our subordinates?
• Mgt of Men & Resources. - Men have problems – death, debt,
family problems – leader must have human touch , sense of
humour and a genuine concern.
• Discipline. Code of conduct – not by parliament – father to son -
Geeta & Bible, etc. Acts of ill-discipline - Non punctuality, Taking
Freedoms for Granted.
• Character. Knowing what you really are. PREY to Sycophancy –
violin belief.
CARDINAL ATTRIBUTES OF LDRSHIP

25. Any Questions?