Is Public Relations and rabble rousing becoming a leadership skill that rises above a leader's performance? Intriguing as it may be, the 'non-performing', 'non-playing' leader is today the most effective. All that matters today is leadership effectiveness and not efficiency. The first arena where a non-performing leadership got credence is the Davis Cup. Mr. Naresh Kumar will always be remembered as a 'Non-Playing captain' of India (officially).
So what makes a 'non-performing captain' click as a leader? Simple, A non-performing Captain can redeem his place if he is a proven Mentor. Ganguly has build his team around him. He will not be able to raise his game, but will inspire the likes of Kaif, Yuvraj, and Harbhajan who will consistently fail but click in a one odd game with the backing of a great mentor. It does not matter as long as the team is being lead with aggression. So does the 'Lead by Example' Theory fall flat in Leadership style? Yes, It does in India.
Visionary Evangelists like Dravid have no place in Indian Leadership scheme of things. India is a land of emotions that will allow only the likes of a Ganguly who is a Relationship Builder. The missing quality in both Dravid and Ganguly is 'Execution Management skills'. The Aussies are great managers of skill, discipline, and fitness. They go about their task with precision and with attention to great details. Indian leaders cannot become execution managers.
The other aspect of Leadership is culture and background of a Leader in a team.
Dravid-ian Leader: A Leader from South India. Even in this era, South Indian Parents warn their children not to 'ask anything'. It is bad manners. 'Donot ask for that toy, icecream, or new clothes, when you go shopping with your Uncle'. 'Donot accept any gift'. 'Ask your parents before you accept anything from your relatives'. It is this 'do-not-ask' Syndrome that affects the psyche of a South Indian Leader. Dravid never demanded his batting position, he never asked for a place in the team like Ganguly, who cribbed when he was left out of the Asian XI team. He was thrust the role of the wicket keeper, and threatened for not having a good ODI strike rate. It is that South-Indian attitude of being selfless, idealistic, silent performer that has been Dravid's nemesis. Dravid fell for Chappel experimentation. He could have asked for his playing eleven, and then lead India to victory. But, South-Indians are always taught ' Teacher is right, Donot question him, Do what he says'. A Leader from North of Vindhyas knows to make the right nosies at the right time and force his way through to get his point through. Ganguly's aggression comes from the West-Bengal Communist attitude. He has created the 'Men-in-Blue cadre', he gives the 'Men-in-Blue' the revolutionary attitude despite knowing that it is a failure. The 'Men-in-Blue' become Life long members of his coitere. Dravid will always be the prodigal second son of India. How we lost a great leader.
7 comments:
This reads like a PD thesis! Sorry but couldnt help smiling at the Communist versus South Indian analogy.I think Ganguly has stuck on so long because the board could not risk putting the burdenship of captaincy on Sachin or Dravid both needed for their batting skills. I think Ganguly is a convenient scapegoat. And I don't think Ganguly inspires in the field or off the field. From media reports he is not the favorite of most of the players. But as a senior player he is the only alternative for captaincy.
But I do agree that we southies are always taught to scrape our foot and be humble. btw Dravid is a Marathi and not South Indian.
This sames to have taken a lot of painstaking research to post.
Very insightful analysis on the flaws in Dravid's captaincy. I must say I agree about the "do not ask" tendency of the South Indians.. lol.
And you are quite right in stating that Indians are governed by emotions..
Those were Random thoughts..no wonder Silverine caught the logical flaws. South India would encompass Maharashtra too. The value systems are the same. That could explain why Sachin Tendulkar realized captaincy is not his forte.
ganguly is a great mentor and leads by example... he takes examples of great batsmen and bowlers, and asks his wards to perform like them...
But, South-Indians are always taught ' Teacher is right, Donot question him, Do what he says'.
not true. not true.
manu: Ganguly-a tormented mentor
Poison: why..why..why...
Dravid is ethnically a South Indian.He is descended from Tamil Brahmins who went up north to Maharashtra generations ago to serve as diwans for a princely state.Somewhere along the way the family swapped Tamil with Marathi.The Dravids ofcourse, moved to Karnataka a generation ago and are thus defacto Kannadigas now, despite Marathi being their mother tongue.
Mada, this is my first visit to your blog and am impressed.
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