Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 to a Hindu Modh Baniya family in Porbandar (also known as Sudamapuri), a coastal town on the Kathiawar Peninsula and then part of the small princely state of Porbandar in the Kathiawar Agency of the Indian Empire.
He inspired millions of Indians to follow his example and succeeded in making his country free after decades of struggle. Here are five leadership lessons you can learn from Gandhi.
Lesson 1: Belief in oneself
It was one man’s belief in non-violence that helped a nation overthrow colonial rule. It’s a small spark that leads to a raging fire. This quote again reiterates one key quality for success: belief in oneself and one’s rightful place in a larger scheme of things. Being convinced of the purity of your intentions will fire others to work for a greater cause that benefits, not just you but others as well.
A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history” Mahatma Gandhi
Lesson 2: Be Persistence
A critical success for Gandhi was the support he got across the nation and in the international community. A significant part of this was due to his extraordinary persistence once he had articulated his vision and his methods. His determination in following through on what he preached was often at a cost to his own well-being.
“You can chain me, you can torture me, you can destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” Mahatma Gandhi
Lesson 3: Be selfless
Gandhi relinquished a successful career as a barrister to devote his time to help the people of his nation. This makes one get over the narrow tunnel vision of personal achievement, and realize that one lives in a wide and diverse world. If inclined, we can all make the effort to participate in social causes and help the less privileged.
Lesson 4: Pursue the truth
Needless to say, Gandhi was a big proponent of truthfulness. He warned people against blindly accepting information without careful examination. Propaganda doesn’t make something true. Repeating of information doesn’t make something true. The attainment of truth happens through careful examination, a critical eye, and an open mind.
“Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Examine things for yourself. Our world will be a much better place when this becomes more common.
Lesson 5: Keep a good company
Gandhi believed in lifelong learning and having the right people around to advise you. So mentors and a positive peer group are important.
A man is but the product of his thoughts, what he thinks, he becomes.”— Mahatma Gandhi
It is critical for entrepreneurs, who are often not part of a large structure in an organization, to have the right people watching and looking out for them. Gandhi knew that thoughts and company influence life to a great extent. Having a source of inspiration, a strong mentor and positive peers hold great importance for those in pursuit of a business dream.