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A Higher Standard of Leadership: Lessons from the Life of Gandhi

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Keshavan Nair emphasizes the need for leadership based on a fundamental moral standard, as taught and lived by Mohandus Gandhi. The Indian leader embodied a moral life centered on truth, non-violence and service to others. Nair argues that business leaders today need to follow these basic principles. He stresses that these principles - and the practices based upon them - make good business sense in the long run, as well as being crucial to the survival of society. The text combines Gandhi's experiences with Nair's exhortations on how to apply these principles in the workplace. However, Nair provides few examples of contemporary leaders who practice these principles. Thus, the book occasionally comes across as somewhat preachy, wishful, overly idealistic and out of touch with the everyday realities of business. Yet, we at getAbstract.com recommend it in the face of those realities as a counterbalance, as well as a good quick read that encourages thought.

This quick reading book focuses on the life of Gandhi as a model for leadership. The author applies lessons from Gandhi's life to the practical tasks of leadershi. Nair provides guidelines for a leader's standard of conduct and for making decisions and taking actions based on moral principles. According to Nair, even when we are in the role of follower, it is our responsibility "to raise our standards so our leaders will have to follow." This is not a book heavy on skill building. The author's purpose is to challenge us to abide by a high moral standard in our roles as leaders and followers. Reading this book is an act of self-reflection from which all of us can benefit.

This is a wonderful little book. I use it regularly in undergraduate and graduate courses I teach in leadership and decision making. It is a book that many students keep when the class is finished; and, it is not unusual for students to purchase additional copies to give to thier friends, colleagues, and managers.

You don't have to know a thing about M. Ghandi to appreciate this book. Even so, to get his point across the author gives the reader examples of Ghandi's approach to life, and how we can apply it in today's society. I especially enjoyed the emphasis encouraging anyone in 'supervisory positions' to not be elitist, and to have to be more honest with their employees.Small business owners, and corporate managers would benefit greatly from reading this book because it reinforces values that, for the most part, have been forgotten. Nair's work is a more sophisticated version of the book "Who Moved My Cheese' Employees, as an anonymous gift, give this book to your supervisors.

This book is simple to read, but is by no means simple in the message and concepts. Once I started, it was nearly impossible to put it down. Too many books on "leadership" merely use the term in the title since it is now a popular cliche and sure to sell a book that otherwise would have no market. Indeed, many do not even deal with the elementary elements of leadership. However "A higher standard . . ." deals with the the true elements of leadership, those preached by Christ, Buddha, Mohammed, Martin Luther King (who was a disciple of Ghandi's philosphy which may in part account for his extraordinary visions and leadership), and other true leaders over the history of mankind. "A higher standard ..." does indeed set a higher standard, making it difficult to achieve but if leadership was easy, why do we seem to have no leaders today at the state and national level? Regardless of your religious or political pursuasion, this book has something for you. If you want to improve "family values," then this book tells each of us how to start as parents, youth leaders, coaches, etc. If you want to be a leader and rather than merely a politician or CEO, this is the place to start. If you are a "liberal," this book tells you what to do to restore "liberalism" as a socially desired philosophy. Finally, if you are a "conservative," this book gives you the path to a smaller government, that tempers caring and provides an ethical basis to social issues (over which most major revolutions have been inspired since at least the birth of Christ). If after reading it, you don't think that this book gives you the inspiration and the path to leadership, shame on you for not understanding or being too narrow minded. If you don't read it, then even greater shame for missing an opportunity of a lifetime.

INTERPRETING THE NEAR-PERFECT PHILOSOPHY OF MAHATMA GANDHI, PROFESSOR NAIR HAS GIVEN US A CONCISE FORMAT WITH WHICH TO WAGE A BLOODLESS BATTLE UPON THE WORLD OF MARKETING, CORPORATE HANGUPS AND CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS WHICH SEEM TO ACCOMPLISH LESS THAN WHAT THEY WERE CREATED FOR. A GOOD READ. BUT BE WARNED, YOU WILL NOT LOOK AT THINGS QUITE THE SAME WAY AFTER READING THIS MARVELOUS COMPILATION.

The author uses the example of Gandi's life and leadership to call us to a higher standard of living and leadership. Gandhi's life and leadership principles are used to construct a leadership framework which includes the moral and spiritual dimensions by which the author hopes to guide us to a higher standard. We are asked to commit to absolute values, to the journey, and to training the conscience.

The world would be a better place if people who run businesses or parts of them, and certainly political leader, would read this and let it in. It's easy reading. This book could refocus your belief in what is possible ... you know, that journey that begins with a single step, etc. Buy it.

If you are in charge of any amount of people for either family life, career or otherwise this is a must read. It's an easy fast read and is packed with good stories. enjoy.