Leaders must have the vision, passion and integrity: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

While most other B-schools invited corporate honchos to inspire fresh batch of MBA students, Delhi Universitys Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) got none other than the former President of India and a respected thought-leader Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to ignite young minds.

Dr Kalam, while inaugurating the academic session 2008-10, delivered a 90 minute lecture for the FMS students. His address titled The Nation and the Dynamics of Leadership focused on leadership development, importance of integrity and character-building, and Indias challenges and opportunities in next decade.

Dr Kalam is the honorary adjunct faculty member of the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi and has been associated with FMS for a year.
Emphasising the importance of leadership development in young MBAs, Dr Kalam offered his eight commandments. He said:

1. Leader must have a vision.
2. Leader must have a passion to transform the vision into action.
3. Leader must be able to travel into an unexplored path.
4. Leader must know how to manage a success and failure.
5. Leader must have courage to take decision.
6. Leader should have Nobility in management.
7. Every action of the leader should be transparent.
8. Leader must work with integrity and succeed with integrity.

Dr Kalam recommended three books to MBA students which he said would help students discover themselves and follow their goals. The books are:

Michael A Roberto: Why great leaders dont take yes for an answer? This book discusses managing for conflict and consensus. Particularly read page 233-235, the essence of the book is Great leaders, of course, behave as great teachers, said Dr Kalam.

Stephen R. Covey (Author), David K. Hatch (Author): Everyday greatness This book will give how the difficult social problems have been encountered and defeated through leadership and message of unity coming together is beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success, noted Dr Kalam.

Denis Waitley: Empires of the mind

Drawing on details from Empires of the mind, Dr Kalam highlighted the paradigm shift in management concept in the knowledge society. The authors have taken 10 aspects of the knowledge society of the present 21st century and visualize how it will be. It specially says that what worked yesterday, wont work today. The 10 aspects of change are:

1. Yesterday natural resources defined powerToday - knowledge is power
2. Yesterday - Hierarchy was the modelToday- synergy is the mandate
3. Yesterday leaders commanded and controlled

Today leaders empower and coach4. Yesterday - shareholders came firstToday customers come first5. Yesterday - employees took orderToday teams makes decision6. Yesterday - seniority signifies statusToday creativity drive status7. Yesterday production determined availabilityToday quality determines demand8. Yesterday - value was extraToday value is everything9. Yesterday everyone was a competitorToday everyone is a customer10. Yesterday - profits were earned through expediencyToday profits are earned with integrity.

Dr Kalam added that while he agreed with most of the analysis offered by the book, he also has some different point of views. Said Dr Kalam, I have analyzed 10 points, many aspects I agree, few I do not agree like point number 7 and 10. The 7th point, my view is, competitiveness is the key which includes quality, cost effectiveness and just-in time delivery. In 10th point, my view is, Work with integrity and succeed with integrity.

Upholding the premise of the book, Dr Kalam added, Japan has very limited natural resources. It imports iron ore and process produces the best of steel competitively for sale international market. Similarly, Finland has very limited resource. Nokia has attained global status and is producing major share of mobile phones for the international market. This shows that knowledge is power!

Recounting his conversation with IT czar Azim Premji, Dr Kalam said, After a visit to his establishment, I asked Azim Premji, Azimji, your organisation and yourself have attained new heights and you are well known throughout the world. Can you tell me the secret of your success? Premji said, First, the sweat. Second, I love to delight my customers. Third, a bit of luck. Dr Kalam added, I personally feel that the luck will not come unless one works for the first two!

As is well known, born on 1931 in Tamil Nadu, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, specialized in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology. Dr. Kalam made significant contribution as Project Director to develop Indias first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully injected the Rohini satellite in the near earth orbit in July 1980 and made India an exclusive member of Space Club. He was responsible for the evolution of ISROs launch vehicle programme. He led to the weaponisation of strategic missile systems and the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in collaboration with Department of Atomic Energy, which made India a nuclear weapon State.
In his literary pursuit four of Dr. Kalams books - Wings of Fire, India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium, My journey and Ignited Minds - Unleashing the power within India have become household names in India.
Dr. Kalam became the 11th President of India on 25th July 2002. His focus is on transforming India into a developed nation by 2020.

The young minds at FMS Delhi couldnt have asked for a better start to their MBA pursuits!