Gandhi

Gandhi was, most certainly, a transformational leader. I use the Kouzes and Posner model of transformational leadership to describe why.

MODEL THE WAY: Gandhi's best exemplifies this through fasting. His first fast (at least as it is shown in the film) was after violence had broken out during the noncooperation campaign against British rule. Gandhi, a proponent of nonviolence, was deeply troubled by the way the violence by Indians against police and British soldiers was perceived by the British and portrayed in international news. He believed that violence only amounted to revenge which leads to more violence. Thus in order to stop violent behavior, Indians must remain noncompliant with British laws that were dehumanizing, but turn the other cheek when faced with violence. Gandhi's willingness to put his life on the line through a hunger strike was perhaps the greatest nonviolent act of resistance which he kept up until, as it was said in the movie, that Indians were offering garlands to British soldiers and Indian police.

INSPIRE A SHARED VISION: In an early part of the movie, Gandhi explained how buying clothes from the British rather than from Indians was making India poorer. He had moved to a small rural village in modest home and chose to wear clothes made from local materials. He then inspired other Indians to get rid of their British garments at a rally and burned them all as a public demonstration of Indian solidarity. Gandhi connected directly with the poor although he was a highly educated man by listening to their concerns about their inability to maintain a livelihood that was taken away under British rule.

CHALLENGE THE PROCESS: Gandhi initiated a salt making campaign. The British had a monopoly on salt making, even the India had its own ocean from which they were able to produce their own salt. Considering that salt is a necessary to sustain life, Gandhi saw it as another way to keep India dependent on Britain. Gandhi led a march to the sea where he and many others began producing their own salt in an act of defiance.

ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT: Once the British learned of the salt making in India, they discussed means by which to encourage violence in India in an effort to lessen the following of Gandhi. Gandhi was arrested, however his absence did not lead to violence. Muslims and Hindus stood together while being beaten, one by one, never lifting a hand to hurt the ones who struck them. Gandhi's followers had the courage to do this in his absence because they felt they were strong enough to do this on their own.