Leadership Lessons From Narendra Modi

Leadership Lessons From Narendra Modi

If there is one thing that distinguishes Modi, it is his communication ability. He communicates through television, radio and social media. His leverage of the social media is phenomenal. He is constantly speaking to different sections of the masses. Apart from being a fantastic public speaker, he is using various modes of communication to share about his initiatives and also set his expectations. If you want to know what's happening, you don't have to go anywhere, you can get it from the Prime Minister himself.

I have been watching with some fascination how our still-new Prime Minister has been going about his job in the past few months. There is a national consciousness that has got built around Mr Modi, who is being seen as a role model set to take India into a whole new world of development.

Modi's approach is also a refreshing change from the previous prime minister's aloofness, perceived to be a good man himself, but who allowed not-so-good people to thrive around him. Modi is seen often in various forums and is also being seen as a person with a lot of intent. He is being seen as a leader of the nation, and not just as a Prime Minister belonging to a political party.

Since the campaigning for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections started, Modi has been the most watched, followed and admired politician. The huge mandate for the BJP clearly came on the back of the Modi wave. A nation, frustrated with the functioning of the previous government, handed a mandate and a vote of confidence which came with a humungous amount of expectations. Modi is clearly aware of the expectations and the public scanner that his government is under, and has gone about his job with an urgency that takes into account the hopes of the common man.

Here are a few lessons leaders can learn from the Prime Minister:

1. Don't waste time, get cracking

Modi seemed to have worked out how exactly he wanted to get started. He invited neighbouring heads of governments to be part of his swearing-in ceremony. That way, he projected himself as somebody who wants to reach out to people across nations – emerge as a Statesman, and not just as a political leader. Post that, he got cracking and did not look at settling time. He had a plan even before being sworn in and started executing it. His movements are swift accompanied by a high amount of time efficiency. 2. Communicate, Communicate, CommunicateIf there is one thing that distinguishes Modi, it is his communication ability. He communicates through television, radio and social media. His leverage of the social media is phenomenal. He is constantly speaking to different sections of the masses. Apart from being a fantastic public speaker, he is using various modes of communication to share about his initiatives and also set his expectations. If you want to know what's happening, you don't have to go anywhere, you can get it from the Prime Minister himself.3. Speak the performance languageIn leadership, it is said that team is the reflection of the leader. As the party keeps expanding its political footprint, Modi's team speaks the performance language. A very corporate like performance culture is being spread across the country. Modi realises the mandate is not just one for change, but for performance. 4. Take Initiatives, Bind people through a common language

The Prime Minister has been at the forefront of taking initiatives. He interacted with students during Teacher's Day, launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan during his Independence Day speech, launched the Unity Run on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary, visited Siachen to meet up with the jawans. He has even visited neighbouring nations and Japan, and also made a historic visit to the US. Through these initiatives he is attempting to bind people through a common language and common objective. He is not just communicating, he is also educating.

These are early days for the Modi government and the signs are extremely positive. The nation is watching its leader's moves with a lot of interest. For Modi, there are myriad aspirations to be met and promises to keep. He has captured the imagination of the nation like perhaps no one has since Indira Gandhi. These are expectant as well as exciting times for the nation, carrying its hopes very close to its heart. Modi has a big job to do, and he knows it.