POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IS ALL ABOUT RESPECTING AND HONORING CONSCIENTIOUS WELL-WISHERS : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IS ALL ABOUT RESPECTING AND

HONORING CONSCIENTIOUS WELL-WISHERS

(WISDOM OF THE HEART MATTERS, NOT COLOR OF THE SHIRT)

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Hans India (20-07-2025)

{Leaders, who are consistently available, accessible, and possess the sacred capacity to listen to conscientious well-wishers, have become a rare breed. A real skill and challenge for a sincere leader is discipline and accountability, especially when party’s broad agenda is disseminated to people. It must be ‘Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART).’ Evading execution after gaining power, or avoiding a responsive role in opposition, is betrayal of leadership. A true leader need not always head the government, but must be capable of leading the shadow government, as in the case of United Kingdom} -Editor Synoptic Note

Leadership is an enduring engagement, not an entitlement; continuous dialogue with people, place, and purpose. Indian Democracy has long lasted, largely due to the collective consciousness and moral seriousness of previous and our generations. Overtime, political leadership has become fascinated in transactional politics, drowned in noise, and distanced from true distinction. Political approach of large number of leaders is, gaining power and influence for indiscriminate personal gain or specific benefits. This decline of passion and spirit that once fueled ideology-driven movements, stems from erosion of values and weakening sense of accountability.

Leaders who are consistently available, genuinely accessible, and possess the sacred capacity to sincerely listen to conscientious well-wishers have become a rare breed. Most political leaders, in power or not, surround themselves with YES-MEN and isolate the wise, which is grave, even suicidal, mistake. The soul of political leadership committed to democratic spirit, is found in the ability to touch minds, move emotions, and change lives. Vision, dedication, and relentless assurance to people-first approach is leadership.

Leaders define, design, and deliver meaningful thought course. Leadership in its highest form is not flamboyant, but it is quiet, persistent, and purposeful. It stands tall when storms hit, but knows when to bow in humility. It is not charisma but character, not slogans but service, not optics but outcomes. Leaders walk that extra mile to consult, to confront facts, and to transcend personal agendas. As observed by the Supreme Court on July 14, 2025, that the ‘Freedom of Expression’ was being ‘Abused,’ most leaders commit ‘Extreme Suicidal Mistake’ by indiscriminately deploying ‘Social Media Warriors’ who forget that it is not color of the shirt but wisdom of the heart that matters, before abusing and snubbing meaningful critics, often with filthy language.

A real skill and challenge for a sincere leader is discipline and accountability, especially when party’s broad agenda is disseminated to people. It must be ‘Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART).’ Evading execution after gaining power, or avoiding a responsive role in opposition, is betrayal of leadership. A true leader need not always head the government, but must be capable of leading the shadow government, as in the case of United Kingdom. Leadership is not about impressing but about groundwork, and certainly not about hiding when circumstances demand. Leader should stand firm, speak reality, and act with transparency.

Overtime, political decision-making is no more collective intellectual process or shaped by inner-party democracy and shared wisdom. Diktat of single person is consensus these days. Dissent is branded as scrupulous disloyalty. Civility has been replaced with contempt, patience with provocation, and humility with hubris, a trait of ‘Overconfident Pride combined with Arrogance.’ The moral compass of leadership is without needle. Only when Leaders are ‘Available, Accessible, and open to Consultation’ then only they make huge difference. Here it is apt to quote TG State BJP President Naraparaju Ramchander Rao, who recently emphasized that, ‘Intellectuals Possess Moral and Analytical Clarity needed to inform the Public, Raise Awareness, and Counter Misinformation.’

Great leader believes that, failure is only a suspended success. Rudyard Kipling in his ‘IF Poem’ wrote that, ‘Triumph and Disaster the Two Impostors’ represent ‘Success and Failure’ and both can be deceptive. Though Alexandre Dumas said, ‘Nothing succeeds like success’ the visionary leader embraces failure as the crucible of growth. Leadership is not about convenience, but about consequence, conscience, and character. Retreating to ‘Shell the tortoise way’ to protect from possible intimidations, wrongfully advised by deceptive YES-MEN who surround the leader is ‘More a Damage than Gain.’

Fostering structural political decentralization, enabling access to field-level leaders, listening to intellectuals and non-political voices in party building, and to be receptive to advise is the real characteristic of the leader. A political culture that respects elders, values its thinkers, and uplifts its people is needed. Let us not ask ‘Who will lead us?’ and start demanding for ‘the kind of leadership we deserve, and deserve urgently.’

Transformative frameworks and critical qualities that define true leadership, set forth by Jim Collins in his book ‘Good to Great’ are worth absorbing by any leader. Collins distinguishes between Competent Managers and truly Great Leaders, whom he calls as ‘Level Five Leadership’ and puts as, rare yet revolutionary. Jim Collins articulates in his book that ‘Level Five Leadership’ represents a paradox mix of personal humility and professional will, one that shuns ego and seeks established greatness. They are not attention seekers. They do not crave the spotlight. Their ambition is not for personal recognition but for organizational (Political) excellence.

Such Level Five Leaders embrace brutal facts, build teams based on ‘first who, then what,’ and drive transformation through discipline and vision. With such qualities they channel ambition into legacy. Such Leaders are desperately required. The journey from Good to Great, does not occur overnight. It demands deliberate nurturing of strategic depth, consistent values, adaptability, and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths. It calls for visionary (Political) leadership, cultivating a culture of discipline, and ‘Not Blind Loyalty’ of YES-MEN to drive outcomes.

Further, the crucial distinction between Peter Drucker terms ‘Efficiency and Effectiveness’ both of which are important for success, must be clearly understood, if one wants to be Level Five Leader. Efficiency is mechanical and Effectiveness is moral. Efficiency is ‘Doing Things Right’ or maximizing output with minimal input. Effectiveness is ‘Doing the Right Things’ or achieving the desired result, regardless of the resources used or the time it takes. Both are crucial for success, but understanding the difference depends on knowledge and skill of the Leader.

An Effective Leader with vision, humility, passion, and people-driven clarity, will be capable of inspiring change. As my illustrious Political Science Professor Late VS Murthy told me, ‘Task accomplishment and Target Fulfilment’ is more important to them, than conforming to orthodox rules. Only such a leader treats every individual with respect. Their words are not theatrics but repositories of evidence, reasoning, literary finesse, and multilingual richness, coupled with subtle humor. When they communicate it will be backed with intensive memory power. They are highly capable of multitasking, impromptu responses, and switch-tasking with strategic clarity.

Equally important for a true leader is the attitude of ‘Treating Politics as a Task but not a Game’ as often Telangana first CM KCR puts it. True leaders are also to be stewards of public trust, and should know when to be firm, to be flexible, and to say, ‘Thus far, and no further’ but unambiguously with a high degree of rationale. Fearlessly walking an extra mile, if that path ensures justice or secures progress, it is leadership, but not shying away from criticism or confrontation. Strategic political acumen enable Leaders to convert vulnerabilities into strengths.

Leaders must embody statesmanship, with the rare ability to envision the long term and first earn trust in themselves, through triumphs and trials alike. Political leadership should serve as a living lesson, a daily example, and a moral compass for generations, rooted in principles, driven by people, and dedicated to posterity. More than a crowd of ‘Casual Leaders’ India needs better ones, those who do not chase applause but leave behind enduring institutions, transformative ideas, and unshakable integrity.

Era of modest, principled political leaders who lived simply and thought greatly is bygone memory. Such leaders became Chief Ministers, Speakers, Presidents, and Prime Ministers etc. not because they sought power, but because power trusted them. Degeneration in politics is typical phenomenon, a feeling of deep sadness, shock, and worry. Ultimately, political leadership is not about rising to power, but about raising the people; not about winning elections, but about winning hearts even after losing. It is about the courage to be right, the humbleness to listen and the wisdom to act.