個案總覽

In helping to liberate one-fifth of the world’s population from colonial rule, Gandhi became a paragon of visionary leadership. Yet despite hundreds of biographies, the man remains an enigma. In fact, his greatest achievements as a leader might be waiting to be discovered. This article looks to dispel myths about Gandhi in order to reclaim him as a human being and draw leadership lessons from his successes and failures. It shows how Gandhi’s life offers many great leadership lessons. For example, not all people share the same values, so leaders must understand their own and others’ values and intentions. It is not always wise to be good to a fault; discretion can be the better part of valor. Moderation is a hallmark of wisdom. Leaders do not do what they like to do; they do what needs to be done. Ultimately, while Gandhi was indeed great, his greatness lies not only in what he accomplished, but in what he did despite his human failings.