Description
Though Gandhi is one of the most written-about figures of the twentieth century, this is the first book to apply lessons from his life to the practical tasks faced by contemporary leaders-from corporate managers and executives to government administrators, nonprofit professionals, educators, and others. In times shaped by colonialism, dictatorships, and two World Wars, Gandhi demonstrated that an idealist could also be a practical and effective leader. In our times of increasing cynicism about the quality of leadership we can expect and aspire to, Keshavan Nair reminds us that, "We are all engaged in leadership, in practicing it and selecting those who will lead." In A Higher Standard of Leadership, he offers a pragmatic guide based on the concepts Gandhi exemplified- o leadership is service, not a path to power and privilege; o effective goals, decisions, and strategies can be guided by moral principles; o a single standard of conduct, based on absolute values, should be maintained in both public and private life. A lifelong student of Gandhi's teachings and a businessman with more than 25 years of experience in corporate and governmental leadership development, Nair is uniquely positioned to bridge the two worlds. Using illustrative examples from Gandhi's life and writings, he identifies commitments-to conscience, openness, service, values, and reduced attachments-and describes the courage and determination necessary to work and lead by them. In simple and direct language, he explores the process of making decisions, setting goals, and implementing actions guided by the spirit of service and commitment to values that is essential to the realization of a higher standard of leadership in our workplaces and communities.… (more)
Library's review
Mohandas K. Gandhi is one of the most successful and revered leaders of all time. This is th firest book to apply lessons from his life to the practical tasks faced by today's business and political leaders. A lifelong student of Gandhi's teacahings and a businessman with more than 25
Through illustrative examples from Gandhi's life and writings, Nair identifies commitments-to conscience, openness, service, values, and reduced personal attachments-and describes the courage and determination necessary to work and lead by them. He explores the process of making decsions, setting goals, and implementing actions in the spirit of service that is essential to the realization of a higher standard of leadership in our workplaces and communities.
'By writing this frist-rate account, Keshavan Nair has made an enormous contribution that should be read by anyone who aspires to lead by example.'-Robert Levering, coauthor of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America, and author of A Great Place to Work.
'Dr. Nair has written an engrossing and insightful book showing that, in today's rapidly changing, globally interconnected world, the enduring values that Gandhi exhibited are essential to leadership and must be part of business strategy if we are to achieve sustainable employee commitment and customer loyalty.'-Robert J. Haywood, Senior Vice President, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
'Dr. Nair's book provides wonderful insight for aniyone seeking enduring leadership.'-Michelle Beale, Senior vice President, Human Resuources and Public Affairs, The Minute Maid Company
Dr. Keshavan Nair has over thirty years experience as a corporate executive and management consultant, and is a life-long student of the teachings and life of Gandhi. He provides counsel to large Fortune 100 companies, as well as small emerging companies, on leadership development and strategic decision making. He is the author of Beyond Winning: The Handbook for the Leadership Revolution.
Contents
Preface
Introduction: The Challenge of a Higher Standard
Section I--A single standard of conduct
1 Develop a Basis for the isngle standard: Commit to absolute values
2 Acknowledge the ideal: Commit to the journey
3 Develop the guide that will keep you on the journey: Commit to training your conscience
4 Reduce forces that lead you astray: Commit to reducing attachments
5 Be willing to stand scrutiny: Commit to minimizing secrecy
6 The essential quality: courage
Section II-The spirit of service
7 Focus on responsibiilities
8 Emphasize values-based service
9 Make a commitment to personal service
10 Understand the needs of the people you wish to serve
11 Reconcile power with service
Section III--Decisions and actions bounded by moral principles
12 Establish principles of governance
13 Create integrity in the decision process
14 Change the criteria for decision making
15 Implement decisions within moral constraints
Conclusion: Taking up the challenge
A brief history of Gandhi
Suggested readings
Notes
Index