Beyond Leadership

They say that one should be lucky to get a good boss and a friendly neighbour. In my case, it was a mixed bag. Some showed their authority, while others showed the human side.

The success of a project depends on the relationship between the team leader and his followers and there is no better example than Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the late President of India.

Outwardly calm, the scientists working in the high pressure environment at ISRO under the aegis of the Department of Space hardly gave a hint of the stress they were absorbing.

One day, a scientist wanted to take his kids to the exhibition and asked permission from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to leave the office at 5.30 PM.The ever smiling APJ agreed to the request.The scientist went back was totally immersed in his work. When he looked at his watch, it was past 8.30. The evening had gone by and it was totally dark outside.He realized his folly and rushed home. But the kids were nowhere in sight.

Somewhat anxious, he called out to them but there was no response.Then his wife told him that Dr APJ dropped in at 5.30 PM and took the children to the exhibition.

As one could see from the incident above, the team led by APJ was one big family where the ‘ official’ and the ‘personal’ merged seamlessly. Today, when we look at ISRO and its exalted position in the world of space, one can only marvel at the leadership qualities of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who also represented the human side of the organization.

There can never be another Abdul Kalam.

Pic credit - Scoop Whoop

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