Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India’s celebrated military leader and Chief of the Indian Army during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, delivered a powerful speech on leadership that offers timeless lessons for professionals, educators, and administrators. Known for his wit and strategic brilliance, Manekshaw addressed an audience of academics and students, highlighting India’s critical shortage of leadership across all sectors—politics, education, industry, and more. He argued that addressing this gap is key to resolving other shortages, as effective leadership drives progress. Below are the key attributes of leadership drawn from his speech, presented point-wise with vivid anecdotes from his experiences.
The Leadership Crisis in India
Manekshaw noted that while India grapples with shortages of resources like fuel, food, and housing, the most overlooked deficit is leadership. This scarcity affects every sphere, from politics to education to law enforcement. The following attributes, derived from his speech, define what it takes to be a true leader, illustrated with his real-life stories.
Key Attributes of Leadership
- Professional Knowledge and Competence
Professional knowledge is the foundation of leadership, earned through continuous study and hard work. Without deep expertise, a leader cannot inspire confidence or make informed decisions. Manekshaw critiqued civilian leaders responsible for national security who lacked basic military knowledge, such as the difference between a gun and a howitzer, recalling a minister confusing a “howitzer” with a “harasser.” He stressed that professionals—whether soldiers, doctors, or educators—must constantly study to maintain competence. - Decisiveness and Responsibility
Leaders must make prompt decisions and accept full responsibility for the outcomes. Indecision, often due to a lack of confidence from inadequate knowledge, leads to delays and escalating costs. Manekshaw shared his frustration with generals who hesitated, saying, “If you must be a bloody fool, be one quickly.” He highlighted how indecision in India caused project costs to skyrocket, burdening the nation, and insisted leaders must act decisively and own the consequences. - Justice and Impartiality
Fairness is critical for earning respect and maintaining morale. Leaders must apply justice consistently, resisting pressures like nepotism, especially in a society with strong familial and political influences. Manekshaw noted that, commanding over a million soldiers, he saw men accept punishment or supersession if it was fair. Soldiers respected consistent discipline, unlike decisions swayed by connections to ministers or influential figures. - Moral and Physical Courage
Moral courage involves discerning right from wrong and standing by one’s principles, regardless of pressure. Physical courage requires facing fear without showing it, inspiring confidence. In 1971, Manekshaw resisted Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s call for immediate military action in East Pakistan, warning of certain defeat due to logistical and seasonal challenges, ensuring a later victory. In 1942, in Burma, he confronted a rebellious soldier, S. Singh, by handing him a loaded pistol and daring him to act, earning his company’s respect despite his own fear. - Loyalty
Loyalty is a two-way street. Leaders expect loyalty from their teams but must also give it to subordinates and colleagues to foster trust. Manekshaw emphasized that while leaders demand loyalty, they often fail to reciprocate. He urged leaders to support their teams loyally, citing his own practice of fostering mutual trust with his soldiers to maintain unity. - Human Touch and Sense of Humor
Leaders must empathize with their team’s personal challenges and use humor to uplift morale, building connection and resilience. Manekshaw noted that soldiers and workers face issues like debt or family problems. He used humor, referencing historical figures like Julius Caesar and Napoleon, joking about their “long noses” to lighten the mood while emphasizing relatability. - Discipline
Discipline is a code of conduct for decent living, rooted in cultural and religious values. In India, a lack of discipline—seen in tardiness, littering, or corruption—hinders progress. At a university convocation, Manekshaw arrived punctually and well-groomed, earning a standing ovation. In contrast, a tardy, unkempt VIP who demanded undue privileges was disrespected by students, showing how indiscipline breeds contempt. - Character
Character involves self-awareness and humility, resisting flattery or delusion. A leader must know their true self and avoid being swayed by sycophants. After the 1971 victory, Manekshaw’s admirers exaggerated his greatness, comparing him to legendary generals. His appointment as Field Marshal and his wife’s grounding influence kept him humble, preventing hubris.
Conclusion
Manekshaw’s speech provides a roadmap for addressing India’s leadership crisis. His eight attributes—professional knowledge, decisiveness, justice, courage, loyalty, empathy, discipline, and character—are universal principles applicable to any field. Through anecdotes, from confronting a soldier in Burma to standing up to a prime minister, he showed how these qualities manifest in action. For aspiring leaders, these lessons inspire cultivating expertise, acting with integrity, and inspiring others through fairness and courage, driving meaningful change in their communities and beyond.