In our series on leadership traits we focus on a specific trait in each issue. Last issue we had featured deep listening. This time we present "firmness" as an important trait of leaders.
1. We are reproducing a letter written by Subhash Chandra Bose, which is an indication, how leaders are firm on their decisions.

   This letter was written by him to finally inform his brother about his decision of resigning from ICS.

   My dear brother,
   .....I am going to send in my resignation day-after-tomorrow. I have written this week to two persons in Calcutta about it and have requested them not to make a fuss over it. The fact that I am definitively going to resign has leaked out here only within the last few days. Unfortunately it seems to have created a sensation among the Indian community. I am afraid, therefore, that some of the people here will send word to India and some people there will try to create a sensation over it. I am anxious to avoid all that for several reasons. In the first place, I dislike both - sensation as well as popular applause. Secondly, if there is no sensation there is not likely to be any difficulty about my getting home as soon as possible. Thirdly, I would like to hide the fact of my resignation from father's knowledge, in view of Mejdidi's presest state of health. I have not written to father anything about my resignation since I heard of Mejdidi's illness. But I am afraid it is impossible to keep it a secret. Still, I shall try my best.

   I had a very stormy time at Oxford-stormy-from the mental point of view. I shall write to you in my next letter all the reasons which finally persuaded me to choose the path of resignation.

   I know how many hearts I have grieved - how many superiors of mine I have disobeyed. But on the eve of this hazardous undertaking my only prayer is - may it be for the good of our dear country.

   Yours V. affly
   Subhash

2. Below mentioned is an extract from the biography of Sardar Patel which again is a fitting example of firmness.

   "Patel was officiating for Nehru during the latter's absence in October -November 1948, when the Constituent Assembly debated some amendments to Article 370. Abdullah could not contain his anger over the Assembly's right to do so. To him, Article 370 was to be 'an executive act of the Government of India as distinguished from parliament': to 'exclude altogether the parliament of India from having any say regarding the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir'; and that only the State Assembly could 'review or annal any action taken by the Government of India. In that burning anger Abdullah cast aside the respect the House commanded of each member and walked out in protest with the threat that he was going back to Kashmir. It was a virtual boycott. Patel could not take up cudgels with Abdullah, as the debate was on. Later he sent Mahavir Tyagi to the railway station to deliver a stern message. Abdullah had settled down in his compartment when Tyagi stepped in to tell him, "Seikh Sahib, the Sardar says you could leave the House, but you can not leave Delhi." A speechless Abdullah got down from the train, cancelling his departure."

   B. Krishna
   "India's Iron Man"

A leader has to be firm - No man can be a leader if he does not risk unpopularity.
Dr. S. Radhakrishanan

Previous Article	Next Article