Strategic & Change Leadership

Much before the subject of Strategic leadership or strategic management is been taught in Indian business schools, there was a freedom leader who not only initiated a strategic activity but also got huge buy-in & success from all the parts of the community. The name of that leader is Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the strategic initiative which I am talking about is Public Ganesh Festival.

Before 1893 this festival was purely family affair. Lokamanya was deeply thinking about how to get masses together for one cause, that is, freedom which also will help Indian communities to realize their own culture which was influenced largely by British rule.

He wanted to unite people for one cause but there was restrictions on mass gatherings by British govt. The only way was to some how gather & awake people to fight against British govt and the way was religious gathering. This was not banned by British govt. as they knew religious sentiments of people of India.

Lokmanya previously saw Public Ganesh festivals being celebrated in Gwalior and he wanted to get that best practice followed in other parts of India which could be used as medium for getting people together. He knew very well that people definitely will come together for this and he can influence the masses effectively, efficiently and speedily.

Another thing what he effectively managed is "change". Bringing change, getting buy in for it and the way its sustained for more than a century now, is the magic of Lokmanya. This is one of the reasons why he is called "Lokmanya" which means People's Leader!!