Personal Growth
The Most Remarkable thing about Gandhi
The most remarkable thing about Gandhi was his ability to lead. He applied the principle of Buy-in, in leadership.
This was his story of leading India to independence.
The Law of Buy-in in Leadership
Do you think people will buy into your vision? The answer is simple when you ask this question,
‘Do your people buy into you?’
About Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas K. Gandhi, called Mahatma (which means great soul) went to London for his education. After finishing his education in law, he traveled back to India and then to South Africa. At that time, he fought for the rights of Indians and minorities. South Africa’s apartheid government are downright oppressing and discriminating.
As he protected and defended the rights of his people, he started to gain followers. His vision for change in India is through nonviolent civil disobedience. This was a different approach to riots that were happening against the British establishment. Where people used violence to achieve their goals.
The Most Remarkable thing about Gandhi
The most remarkable thing about Gandhi is that people buy into him first, then his vision. He was able to change the people’s vision for obtaining freedom.
He once said, “Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” 1
Gandhi led the people to fight oppression with peaceful disobedience and noncooperation. In 1919, the British military massacred more than one thousand people at Amritsar 2. Even then, Gandhi called the people to stand without fighting back. He asked them not to fight. After a while, the people stopped fighting.
Gandhi called for everyone to burn foreign-made clothes. Then people started wearing simple, plain clothes that are not imported. Millions of people started doing it. He led the march to the sea to protest the Salt Act against the British. That would be their rallying point for civil disobedience. The nation’s leaders followed him the two hundred miles to the city of Dandi. There they got arrested by government representatives.
The fight for freedom wasn’t easy. But Gandhi’s leadership was strong enough to deliver on the promise of his vision. In 1947, India gained home rule 3. Because the people had bought into Gandhi, they accepted his vision. And once they had embraced the vision, they were able to carry it out.
The leader finds the dream and then the people. The people find the leader, and then the dream.
How can people buy into your vision?
Build Credibility.
If you have not built credibility with your people, it does not matter how great a vision you have. People don’t at first follow worthy causes. They follow worthy leaders who promote worthwhile causes.
Useful Tools to becoming a Leader
If you want to learn more about how to become an effective leader, read my book summary of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. Check out leadership courses that are not only valuable and available online, but highly rated.
Seth Godin’s Leadership Workshop – Learn the concrete steps to lead change and create an alternative future for yourself and others.
Think Like a Leader by Brian Tracy – Change your day to day habits to become a powerful motivator and achieve leadership success
The Science of Leadership – Leadership, management techniques and communication skills based on research from neuroscience to social psychology
More Courses about Leadership and Self-growth
Attend Professional Seminars in your area. Some of the best avenues to look for are:
- Event Brite
- Colleges/Universities
- Google Search
How can seminars help you?
Going to a seminar makes you feel more invested because of your effort. You will be around professional people. Mostly, C-suite executives, board directors, mid-level managers, and rising supervisors. If you are in a place to lead, the seminars will get you to develop a personal action plan for your organization.
Coaching/Finding a Mentor
One-on-one coaching may be right for you when you need more in-depth conversations. Coaches check personal behaviors, expectations, ambitions, strengths, and weaknesses. This can match you to someone who has faced similar obstacles and opportunities. Coaching can provide customized programs that address your challenges and growth goals.