Question

Identify a leader who you know or know a lot about. Do not use family members or religious leaders, or any leader from the textbook or from prior assignments.

• Describe what the leader leads (i.e. a business, government, non-profit organization, etc.). Give a little background information on the leader.
  
• Describe the traits and behaviors that the leader exhibits in leading, and give some examples. What does the leader do (behavior) that gets people to follow?
  
• Explain why you would follow this leader if you would; and if you would not follow this leader, why not.
  
• In general, what do you see as the most important characteristics that a leader would have to have for you to follow them?
  
• How would you lead to get people to follow you?

Answer 1

The leader I have choses is Natarajan Chandrasekaran, current chairman of Tata group a $100 billion conglomerate which sells from salt to software. Earlier N Chandrasekaran (Also called as Chandra) was with Tata Consultancy Services ($20 Billion Revenue) and was CEO & MD from 2009-2016. Chandra holds master in computer applications and has been with TCS since the inception of his career.

The biggest trait, which N Chandra has exhibited throughout his career, is his risk taking ability. Not just risks but risks, which has high rewards. Chandra came up with the biggest reform in the Indian IT sector where he completely changed the operating structure to never seen before. He divided TCS into smaller operating units each working as an independent companies. The company from then on outpaced every competitor in the market.

The most important characteristic the N Chandra exhibits which makes me follow him is his humility and ability to connect with the executives at the bottom of pyramid. Since he has grown from the bottom, he knows the environment of the executives at the bottom of the pyramid. This understanding helps him to connect with the executives and in turn awards Chandra with their loyalty.

I am going to follow three attributes in order to get people to follow me:

1. Humbleness: It is important to show and connect with the executives at the bottom of the foundation who forms the base of the organization. If the base crumbles so does the organization.
2. Communication: It is important and imperative to communicate thought process with the people you want to follow you. The thought process should be simple, clear & crisp and should resonate with the masses.
3. Decisiveness: It is important to be clear with decision-making ability and be clear with the vision. It is also important to be ready to held accountable for the decision you have taken in the interest of the entity you will be leading. It sends the message to the people that the leader has the willingness to take bold decisions for better future.