A quite valid question to start this discussion may be “why do we need to learn the influence process?” Well, that is perhaps the most important trait a leader should possess. A leader needs people to lead. But why would people listen to that person? Simply due to the influence mechanism the leader follows. Take any example from the history of mankind. All the leaders are known for their tremendous power to influence others. Gandhiji, Netaji to Napoleon Bonaparte - all the leaders could influence the whole nation and beyond to follow a vision, a powerful goal and in the process directed them – led them. Such was the power of their influence that people were ready to forego everything they had, even their life to achieve the vision the leaders showed them. Even in the organizational set up, many people can be powerful due to the reward and coercive power, but the leader can shine even without all these factors; by dint of his influence power he can motivate million others to share the same vision and mission as his and create a movement.

But how can one influence others? There are actually two different ways to do the same – touching the internal and the external influencing factors. Internal factors comprise of the different motivating factors like high self-esteem, satisfaction, enhancing confidence, etc. The target audience is touched on these grounds by the leaders and they also believe in the mission. There are some external factors as well, the biggest one being the vision itself. The vision should be appealing enough to have a ready buying in from thousand others. Some other external factors may be the demonstration of unflinching commitment from the leader’s side, reward or incentives given to the followers and empowerment of everybody.

While both influencing the internal as well as external factors have their own merits and demerits, none of these techniques actually ensures a sustainable success of the movement or mission. Taking any measure may ensure only temporary success if selected in the right context of the environment, but the context changes over time and the success becomes non-existent. But then is there any technique which may ensure the success of a movement for a long time? How can we make the influence sustainable? Well, there is a way – we need to find out what we call the extro-internal factors. What are these factors? These are actually some internal factors which are very prominent and have a measurable effect on the external environment. These can also be boosted by the external cues. For example, boosting self-esteem by discussing one’s efficiency in the public, empowering someone and giving him a responsible post, etc are some of these factors. All these techniques are actually the mix of internal as well as external factors. They influence the self-esteem factors in Maslow’s hierarchy but can be enhanced by the external factors like recognition in public, etc. These factors can be periodically boosted as well, so ensure the proper functioning of the influence mechanism. But more than anything else, let others feel that they count – and then witness the magic.

- Soumyadip Chakraborty, IIM Bangalore, LeadCap

Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; Leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall. Stephen Covey

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is why so few engage in it. Henry Ford

Over the long run, superior performance depends on superior learning. Peter Senge

Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.Will Rogers

I have walked the long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended. Nelson Mandela

MNPK, Leadcap.

A Gurukul (Guru refers to “teacher” or “master”; Kul refers to his domain, from the Sanskrit word kula, meaning extended family.) is a type of ancient school in India that is residential in nature with the shishyas or students and the guru or teacher living in proximity, many a time within the same house. The Gurukul is the place where the students resided together as equals, irrespective of their social standing. The students learn from the guru and also help the guru in his day-to-day life.

In school days, we were taught a particular method of teaching in Gurukul; where the teacher will remain silent even when students ask questions. Here students are induced to search the answer for their questions by their own.

Leaders have some learning from this; potential leaders need not always get into the ‘follower loop’. They should think and act by their own. When responsibility is taken on the shoulders, potential leaders will be forced to push their limits. They will know the real pressure, pleasure and pain involved in leading. When we push our limits and stretch, we will know how far we can go.

Lead thyself.

Mohammad Nibras P.K., Leadcap, Bangalore.

It is just a matter of one decision. It just takes one quick decision to bring a change in yourself, the people around you and the entire country.

This is the story of a girl who decided that she is not going to let her background decide what she is going to be. That she is not going to blame her life for who she is going to turn out to be. That she is not going to accept leading a mediocre life. That she is going to fight everything that comes in the way of her happiness.

I am going to call this girl “She” because I want every girl to relate to her life. And I truly believe that every girl in this country has the potential of being “She”.

“She” comes from a very normal Indian family. Her parents being doctors, hopes are pinned on her to take up the science stream and become a doctor. She takes up science and fares averagely. In her class there is a girl who is looked down upon and is considered “weird” because she refuses to talk to anyone. “She” some how relates to her, befriends her and later finds out that this girl has been abused when she was a child. All the memories of her own disturbed childhood come crashing down on her. Her father turning to alcoholism because he is broken from his own disturbed child hood…he gradually turning violent and beating her mother up… her mother being helpless, removing her frustration on her… her father committing suicide…“She” wants to help this girl out to the best of her ability. “She” does all she can in her powers to help this girl out. But fails. This is when “She” decides that science is not the right field for her. “She” decides that she wants to take up psychology and help every such disturbed person as her father and her friend.

“She” joins the most reputed college and is dong very well because she is happy following the path that leads to the fulfillment of the cause that is very close to her heart.
All is going well but “She” faces another defeat. “She” doesn’t make it to the Republic Day parade camp that she has been working for all through the year. Initially “She” blames the selection procedure, her seniors and complains to everyone who is ready to listen and to sympathize. Later “She” relaized that blaming the system is not going to get her anywhere. So she works all over again to get in to the next year’s Republic Day parade. She finally manages to get there. But in the process all the stress has gotten to her and she snaps. She is depressed and is diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder.

“She” keeps telling herself that nothing is wrong with her and makes up her mind to get over her depression. “She” made up her mind so firm that she immediately found the help that “She” needed- a group of friends who didn’t sympathize with her but treated her like “She” was the most normal being. This gave her immense strength. Paulo Coelho rightly said that if you really want something, the whole universe conspires to give it to you. Today, her psychiatrist who kept her on anti-depressants refuses to see her because he had mis-diagnosed her as having bi-polar disorder.

There are innumerous lessons from this single story.

First, that it just takes a firm decision to change the course of your life and bring a change in the world around you.

Second, that every failure is a step closer to success if taken in the right spirit and provided, that corrective actions are taken to avoid that failure again.

This story moved me. And I believe that it can make a positive difference to any person who will read it.

To empower India, first it is the Indian women who need empowering. Let us all unleash the “SHE” in us.

Pooja Sheth - Mount Carmel, LeadCap.

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,
Where knowledge is free…Into that heaven of freedom,
My Father, let my country awake.” - RABINDRANATH TAGORE

These were the words from the prayer chanted by the Great Indian poet, for the rise of our Country, the great Indian nation. All the thought leaders like him understood long back that the nation can not rise until we all stand up and question the standstill. The obstacles will be many, we may be stopped in the middle, we may be surrounded by the uncertainties, but we need to move on. We need to take the decision to lead others and go ahead. Then only India will be the nation of leaders and eventually become the leader of nations.

Tell me the similarity among Sudha Chandran, Masudur Rahman and Vasundhara Raturi? I am sure almost all of you will be able to tell me the similarity. All these names are the living examples of win of the indomitable human will over the adverse. The first met with an accident and lost her legs. She made a come back with her iron determination. Masudur is also without feet but has set a world record of crossing the English Channel. The third, the “little champ” Vasundhara is totally blind, but she dreams to become a famous singer of tomorrow. All these people are the living evidence of the famous saying ‘when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it’.

We may find obstacles in many forms, we meet them on the different crossings of our life, some of us are bogged down when encountering these; whereas, the others are undaunted and go ahead no matter what. Always remember, the progress in your life is a function of the different actions you take and your thoughts to overcome the resistances. These disbeliefs may be different in nature - disbelief of others in your capability, the problem with the existing mindset and unwillingness to change, to name a few. But the most glaring one is the problem from lack of confidence – the moment we stop trusting ourselves, the malign happens. Remember my friends, till you are cent percent confident about your own capabilities and passionately believe that you can achieve something, whatever that may be, and be undeterred towards that goal - your success is guaranteed. Let us all raise our heads high and utter in full confidence, ‘Yes, I can achieve what I want’ – success will look for us.

-Soumyadip Chakraborty, IIM Bangalore, LeadCap