What Business Leaders can learn from Modi 2.0 Victory Speech?

Recently witnessed 40 minutes of captivating speech of Narendra Modiji (yes, I pay respect to my country’s PM) and could not help relating it to how modern age leaders should be. Here are my completely personal inferences on leadership and not meant to glorify an individual.

1.      Have a simple and single point goal and communication message

Modiji has only one goal – to make India a powerful and prosperous nation in the world. His communication message to party workers was “Ab ki baar 300 paar” (rough translation – this time, cross 300). That’s it. We can see no how laughable tasks are a reality for him. His single point goals and communication messages are easier for people to understand, follow and finally execute.

Business leaders also need to bind people with simple messages and direct all efforts to that one mission. Complicated and English heavy words may confuse last mile worker.

2.      Have a grasp on the ground reality

Modiji clearly showed that he had a grasp on his support groups. Working class, Women, Farmers to name a few. He knew their ground level problems and that gave him ideas to solve them.

Business leaders should visit their work site, customers, base level employees, etc. very often to have sanity check and understand ground level challenges. It’s not easy but not impossible either.

3.      Invite progressive feedback

Modiji said that people can criticize him and provide feedback, but it should be not from the intention of pinning him down. He said that he may make some mistakes to achieve his mission but requested citizens to never doubt his intentions.

Business leaders should constantly seek feedback and that necessarily does not have to be in closed room meetings. It can happen while walking with a colleague, in the cafeteria, during chats or casual calls. Remember every person in the organization plays a vital role in your goal and hence every feedback is worth listening. Important thing is, to understand the difference between constructive and destructive criticism.

4.      Gratitude is the next best thing after love

Many philanthropists have kept gratitude as the next best feeling after love. Modiji, repeatedly thanked each group who contributed to his success.

You should never miss an opportunity to thank each group who supports your endeavor. Be it townhalls, public forum, social media or meetings. While pointing out individual name can lead to unhealthy competition from that person in the organization but recognizing teams is far safer bet.

5.      Inclusion is the key

Modiji in his speech clearly indicated that he cannot achieve his goals alone. He made citizens realize their duties towards the nation and participate in government programs.

World-renowned CEOs cannot emphasize enough on the power of inclusion. You don’t have to do work yourself but motivate people to do it for you.

6.      Be vulnerable

Modiji admitted that he cannot discuss details of his win as he did not find time to go through every result. This statement itself shows that vulnerable side where you don’t claim to be an expert even if you are chosen leader of a country. He is not ashamed of his humble background and kept calling himself “Fakeer” (translation- monk)

Being a leader does not make you “google”, that gives answers to every problem. Mr. Know it All is a trait of an insecure person. Seek help, direct queries to expert, admit that you have no knowledge of the subject as it does not make you sound weak but more of human.

DISCLAIMER: All views expressed in this site are my own and do not represent the opinions of any entity, community, institutions, groups or individuals, whatsoever with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated.