Leadership: an Important Ingredient of Corporate World

Leadership has assumed an increased significance in the modern corporate world. This has assumed the consequence akin to the battlefield. The organizations having effective and influential leaders leave others behind in the competition. Since, the leadership involves an interpersonal influence of the leader over his group, the traits of a leader assume unparalleled significance. It is a time-tested observation that in times of difficulty, the influence of good leaders helps the organizations tide over the problems.

Since, the leader assumes a significant role in managing interpersonal relations in an organization, he should posses the essential qualities like intelligence, good personality, self-confidence, vision and foresight, dynamic thinking, positive attitude and humane approach. As an organization is a deliberate creation by human beings for certain specified objectives, the activities of its members need to be directed in a certain way and a leader performs the role of directing. Good leadership in an organization is a motivating factor in itself for its members. The employees have faith in their leaders and trust him with even their lives. They enjoy confidence in their leader, leading to increased efficiency. Effective leadership in an organization also results in high morale of the employees, having a direct bearing on high productivity and organizational stability.

It is thus evident that in case we want to be a successful manager, first we should learn to be good leaders. So, let us work hard and strive towards excellence to become good leader.

Better Days Ahead for 7 Sisters?

The other day I witnessed a very touchy scene in a prelude to 'kaun banega Crorepati' on an Indian TV channel where Amitabh Bacchan asks a girl hailing from NE India the name of the the  country where Kohima is located. The girl feigns ignorance and opts for audience poll. The spectators express surprise over her ignorance. Amitabh Bacchan conducts the audience poll and apprises her that 100% audience has opted for India. The girl replies, "jaante to sab hain par maante kitne hain"? Well, this appears to be the perception of my country men about the 7 north eastern states of India, more popularly known as the 7 sisters. They have always lagged behind in the race for development in the Indian Union for the reasons best known to its political masters. As far as development is concerned, even the state of J&K, where majority of Indian legislations do not even apply, is also way ahead.

It is not that these states do not possess the potential for development but because of the apathy and neglect over the years they have remained under developed. As a result, people have taken up arms against the State. Militancy which started in early 60's is still thriving, though at a its low ebb. The entire region is culturally very rich, beautiful and full of untapped resources. Some of the most beautiful places form part of the region. Mokokchung in Nagaland is so beautiful that it is known as 'Paris of the East'. Mizoram is a state known for music, guitar and care free life. Manipur is known for sports whereas, Towang in Arunachal Pradesh is known for its Monastries. Meghalaya possesses some of the most  beautiful scenic spots in the country. No tribe in the country can match the natural instincts of Konyaks, inhabitants of Mon district of Nagaland. Village heads in Nagaland are known as Angs. They still maintain village museums where human skulls are preserved. Head hunting, as a result of tribal rivalary, was prevalent in these areas till late 90's. Hence, these areas are a world by themselves. The entire region possesses tremendous untapped potential for tourism. The Centre and the states together can convert the region in to a beautiful tourist destination which will bring in  much needed revenue in to the region.

 It needs to be examined seriously as to why the entire NE region has remained backward even after 67 years of Indian independance. Low priority for the region set by the Central Govt and indifferent attitude of the State Govts appear to be the main contributing factor towards this. Other reasons responsible for under development are  the  remoteness of the area, inclement weather, corruption and militancy. It would be shocking to note that locals in some of these areas have to walk for miles to fetch basic neccesities like salt. For medical facilities too, they have to travel long distances. In majority of these areas black top roads though,  exist on paper but  on ground you will hardly find foot tracks.

With increasing Chinese threat on our northern frontier and Modi govt at the Centre, it is expected that NE states of Indian Union will see a better future. India off course can not progress without taking NE states on board. Recent Union budget which talks about infrastrure development in the border areas appears to be a positive step towards this. Let us pray it becomes a reality.