Anatomy of Positive Leadership: Authentic, Principled and Service Oriented

Leadership research in the twentieth century has mainly focused on industrial paradigm of leadership characterized by a hierarchical structure of authority and responsibility manifesting in a command and control model of leadership, with an individualistic focus on the personality of the leader—one person directing other people for materialistic, utilitarian ends. Over the last several decades, we have seen the inherent limitations of this approach to leadership. It is too narrowly focused and ignores the fund of creativity and diversity available at the disposal of any organization. More so, it leads to moral ineptitude, untrustworthiness, and self-centeredness on the part of its leaders. If twentieth century was characterized by leadership theories influenced by industrial revolution paradigm; in the twenty-first century, we have spiritual revolution guiding us toward leadership approaches that are humane and are anchored in the leader’s moral compass. An effective leader of twenty-first century needs to be authentic, principled, and service oriented. As a result, we see the emergence of new forms of leadership—called “positive theories of leadership.” Authentic leadership and servant leadership are two such approaches that we will explore in this chapter. The chapter profiles Gandhi as an embodiment of exemplary virtues such as humility that epitomize authentic and servant leadership. Finally, it highlights the role of humility as a touchstone of effective leadership.