When looking at these cases, one must ask the question of what can we learn about leadership by looking at Ghandi. In order to answer this question we must first say that Ghandi was a religious leader with no official capacity. Even so, Ghandi can be considered one of the greatest examples of this type of leader. He, along with Martin Luther King Jr., were able to influence and motivate large masses of people, even without an office. To see Ghandi’s ability to influence, we only have to look to South Africa, and the resistance to the Black Act. Ghandi was able to influence around three thousand Indians to follow his lead. However, he not only influenced his area, but Indians throughout Africa agreed with Ghandi, and followed his suggestions. Also, the Salt Act Rebellion shows Ghandi’s ability to influence. His pilgrimage stopped the threats of possible violence, by focusing all of India on him and his actions. The entire coutry looked at Ghandi, and followed his lead of passive resistance. But how did he influence so many people?

In South Africa, Ghandi’s speech made the difference. Ghandi spoke to the peole, and he knew what his audience wanted to hear. He told them to submit would be to die. Secondly he used religion as a means of influence. Ghandi knew that a action made with God as the witness waqs a religious vow, and it could not be broken. In India, Ghandi used his actions to influence the population. Ghandi could have gone by car or train, but the pilgimage showed a flair of showmanship and imagination. The act appealed to the peasants and the elite of India, as well as the critics of Ghandi. The public defiance of the British government, was a signal to Indian poulation on how to defy the governement. The next action was a revolt against the British, but it was a revolt without arms.

Also, Ghandi’s bravery made him a great leader. Ghandi was not a leader of words, but rather a leader of words and actions. He did what he spoke about doing. Ghandi was also prepared to do it alone. Ghandi often warned that making a pact was a very solmn thing, and no one should break that pact. However, Ghandi knew that sometimes people would break their promises, and he knew that to be a great leader that he had to be prepared to stand alone against the oppression, and also be prepared to suffer the consequences. Ghandi was always willing to suffer the consequences, and he showed that by going to jail when he challenged the Black Act. Also the public defiance of the British governement showed that he was not afriad to stand alone and suffer the consequences. Ghandi was the only one that picked up the salt, and he knew that picking up the salt would make him a criminal. Even so, Ghandi did this. He did it as a signal to India, regardless of the cosequences.

Finally Ghandi was a very respected person. He was a devout Hindu, that had very strong beliefs and a vision of a free and equal India. Ghandi was also a compassionate and honest person that stuck to his words. Ghandi earned his respect, and this made him an even greater leader. After agreeign to the Voluntary Registration in South Africa, Ghandi was criticized and even mugged. He did not bash his attackers and demand justice. Rather, he forgave his attakcers and critics. He did not even prosecute his attakcers, but instead accepted their own views as right in their eyes. Ghandi was very accepting of alternate views, and this also increased his integrity. Even though Ghandi was attacked, he still registered that day. This showed Ghandi’s commitment to his pledge. He promised to register, and even after the governemtn change the deal, Ghandi still abided by his word and registerd. You had to respect Ghandi for his integrity, and this is where most of Ghandi’s power lied.

Ghandi was obviously a great leader of his time. There is always a debate of whether or not he was a pacifist. Ghandi hate dthat word, because he often said he was not a pacifist. I agree, because Ghandi did not do nothing and that is the connotation that goes along with being a pacifist. Rather Ghandi did resist something he didn’t agree with. Ghandi was a promoter of passive resistance. He wanted Indians to fight the South African and British governments, but he wanted it to be a nonviolent form of resistance. Also Ghandi was one of the most influential leaders of the twentieth century. He influnced people not only in his own jursdiction, but also influenced many people outside his own jurisdiction. However we must consider ourselves outside of his jurisdiction, because Ghandi influences leaders today. We still discuss Ghandi, and his methods of leadership, much like Martin Luther King Jr. It would be interesting to look at a comparison of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Ghandi. You could look at leadership styles or even more interestingly who was more influential.