Although lacking a universal definition, authentic leadership was commonly acknowledged of its emphasis on its humanistic viewpoint of leadership, such as being honest, trust-worthy, ethical as well as practical (Northouse, 2013). One of the popular viewpoints of authentic leadership is contributed by Bill George in his book: Authentic Leadership, which conceptualized it as a developmental continuum with five dimensions: purpose, values, relationships, self-discipline, and heart (George, 2003). Each of these dimensions is associated with characteristics that could be actively improved by the leader (PSU WC, 2013). While looking at these five dimensions, an example that has repeatedly come to my mind is one of the greatest humanistic leaders: Gandhi.
1). Purpose with passion
It’s been very clear that Gandhi has devoted his life to his purpose in driving the acts of non-violence, civil rights and freedom in India, and even to the world (Gandhi’s Passion, 2001). According to a documentary of Gandhi, in order to demonstrate his purpose, he had been a major protester of war as well as any other forms of persecution (Gandhi, 1982). What’s even more worth noticing is that this purpose was not developed until later in his life after his experience with the people in poverty, demonstrating the developmental aspect of the authentic leadership (Gandhi’s Passion, 2001). But once it is clear, Gandhi has surely persisted on this, spending the rest of his life on speaking and modeling in attempt to reach this purpose of promoting people’s awareness on non-violence and civil rights. Just as he had described himself: “My life is my message”, and he had indeed lived up to his purpose.
2). Values with behavior
It is very apparent that he lived a life in modeling his belief in non-violence and civil rights as well. In order to preserve the right of Indian low-wage labor, he has been wearing clothes that he made for himself, eating with minimum food and living with minimum supply; in order to demonstrate the non-violent act, he has been a vegetarian and refused to harm a single life (Gandhi, 1982). In one of his public speech he had said: “Whatever they do to us, we should attack no one, kill no one, but we will not give up.” (Gandhi, 1982) All showed his values and his attempt to realize these values.
3). Relationships with connectedness
Throughout his life, Gandhi has maintained a very close relationship with people from all classes, mainly because his concern for them. He won respects from his followers by connecting to them in an intimate way. As shown in the movie, numerous people had travel from distance to Gandhi for spiritual support, and he replied with not only supportive words but also a warm, genuine, supportive embrace (Gandhi, 1982). It is very rare that he would direct others, but instead he offered considerate suggestions for them, which helped him to keep intimate connections to many of his followers.
4). Self-discipline with consistency
Maybe the most obvious reflect of Gandhi’s self-discipline was his austere life that he lived in accordance to his values, as discussed in the previous sections. However, his self-discipline went more than clothing and living. Just as he’s said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi did make his every effort to demonstrate this. According to the movie, Gandhi has more than once take the work that was usually done by lower-positioned people in India, such as weaving and preparing foods for himself (Gandhi, 1982), and I can see his hope for emancipation of these lower-positioned people from discriminations from these behaviors.
5). Heart and compassion
I think an excellent reflection on Gandhi’s compassion is his values themselves: non-violent, civil rights, and freedom. He concerned about the people, and he had truly believed that only love, forgiveness, and peace can provide solution to Indian people’s suffering. Just as he said: “Where there is love there is life.” His profound compassion to the poor people’s suffering can also be seen in his weaving and cooking on his own, and also spending time to listen to them and prey for them (Gandhi, 1982). Throughout his life, he has never given up practicing this compassion, just as he said: “Compassion is a muscle that gets stronger with use.”
Reference:
Northouse, P. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice. (6 ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publishing.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2013). PSYCH 485 Lesson 12: Authentic Leadership
https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/sp13/psych485/003/content/12_lesson/01_page
Attenborough, R. (Producer & Director). (1982). Gandhi [Film]. UK & India: International Film Investers.
Wolper, S. (2001). Gandhi’s Passion. UK: Oxford University Press.
BRANNAN ROBERT STATHAM says
I found your blog entry to be incredibly informative. Specifically, I enjoyed the application of the leadership characteristics of self-discipline and consistency to Grande. Gandhi’s reply of “be the change you wish to see in the world” seems to appropriately fit into this category, as he definitely embodied both of these characteristics.
So many leaders today appear to be giving lip service to the public, while going behind closed doors to formulate different policies, then the ones promised. I wonder if leaders, such as Grande, are cherished and remembered for being authentic with their followers. Perhaps, their followers develop a stronger attachment with them, due to them opening up their hearts and demonstrating compassion.
Take care,
Brannan
JOSHUA DONALD KRATZ says
Lin,
I first gravitated to your blog due to the fact that this week, for our classes weekly assignment, I chose to talk about an article attempting to promote the implication of authentic leadership nationally, in this such case, China. I figured it would be interesting to contrast your findings of authentic leadership and Gandhi with some of the Chinese principles introduced.
The second dimension was one that immediately caught my attention, which was the dimension of values with behavior (George, 2003). The huge underlying message demonstrated within the article I read was authentic leadership’s lack of an ethical component; seemingly one of authentic leaderships biggest voids and weaknesses. The idea that was introduced was Confucianism and Yin/Yang, which leans heavily upon an individuals moral behavior and potential ethical actions. Gandhi supported this frame of thought, as you stated, leading a non-violent lifestyle and promoting peace and fairness worldwide.
Secondly and lastly, the fourth dimension stated as “self-discipline with consistency” is echoed parallel with the reasons of the previous dimension (George, 2003). The beliefs of Confucianism and Yin/Yang way of life leans heavily upon an individual properly achieving self-fulfillment, where I believe, practices of self-discipline definitely exist. Being consistent within this process is of need, with inconsistency causing the follower to potentially stray from the path.