Mahatma leadership model is one that applied the concept of morality, emotional intelligence, and pragmatism. The political model of leadership incorporates persuasion of subjects to commit to a dream conceived by someone. Mahatma Gandhi successfully established a large movement of loyal supporters from the rice paddies to cities of India. He used persuasive tactics to plan an idea in every person he had an opportunity to talk. He was able to manage expectations from the society and offer them the vision of a bright future. It is pertinent to note that the political model of leadership demands a sense of meaning before gathering supporters. However, corporate leaders must also pose some of the key characteristics defended in the political model (George & Johns, 2005: 68). The aspect of persuasion and negotiation are needed by all type of leaders. A business leader must be able to influence key decision through persuasion and negotiation in both the internal and external business environment (Giuliani, 2002: 12). If Mahatma used morality, emotional intelligence, let us look at how Jack Welch transformed General Electric into a million dollar industry.
In business leadership, history Jack Welch represents a hero who was able to grow General Electric by about forty times by value during his leadership at the company. He introduced a mix of six sigma and total quality management into General Electric, which was effective for more than two decades. Jack Welch adopted this business leadership tool into General Electric transforming the organizations performance. As a leader he successfully incorporated different aspects of TQM in the daily decision making process. Present day leaders can learn from the total quality management implementation at General Electric and its implications. This critical issue requires a lot of attention. TQM can be considered a means of managing the future of an organization ( Slatter, 2009:61). The business process, as well as the workforce, should work together harmoniously to ensure that products are of high quality. However, effective TQM demands strategic business leadership. The leader of the organization defines strategic business leadership. Jack Welch identified identical mutual trust, effective communication skills, active empathy, accessibility by workers and personal courage as the key elements of an effective leader. He argued that effective leadership is fundamentally about developing people, setting defined directions to be followed and designing an organization to be successful (Ratma, 2003: 2). Effective leadership involves identifying people within the organization who would be potential leaders and letting them gain the knowledge and skills required for success.
References
George, J. and Jones, G. (2005). Understanding and Managing Organizational Behavior. (4th ed.)Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Giuliani, R. W., & Kurson, K. 2002. Leadership. New York: Hyperion.
Lencioni, P. 2002. The five dysfunctions of a team: a leadership fable. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Raatma, L. 2003. Leadership. Mankato, Minn.: Bridgestone Books.
Slater, R. 1999. Jack Welch and the GE way management insights and leadership secrets of the legendary CEO. New York: McGraw-Hill.
