Gaurav Soni
October 05, 2023 02:10
9481
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Explore how leaders who can harness both intuition and logic are better equipped to make innovative and impactful choices.
Q2: Visionary decision making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
| Approach:
The objective of the essay is to analyze the various attributes that make leadership visionary, primarily intuition and logic. In this essay we should try to present the evolving nature of leadership with emerging issues at various levels. Introduction:
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ANSWER:
It was the time after the 1970 General Elections in Pakistan. The situation in east Pakistan was worsening as there was a cry for civil war against the oppressive and atrocious rule of west Pakistan over east Pakistan and blatant disregard for public opinion in the elections. As a result, many were crossing over to the Indian side from the east and stressing the already stretched hungry and poor nation of that time. At that time, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi calls upon Army General Sam Manekshaw to intervene in East Pakistan and stop the refugee crisis from boiling over. However, the general refuses. He tells the Prime Minister if we were to act now, I guarantee you a defeat.
Such words coming from an Army general sound very discouraging and perhaps out of the lines of his duty as well. However, when we understand that leadership is not about leading only but leading in a manner to ensure desired outcome, this decision might make sense. Not giving into the pressure and acting on his logic and intuition, Sam Manekshaw bided his time and trained for the impending war. In the end, he won India one of its greatest wars in its independent history.
The world is no doubt run by the leaders. Every field, every circle, every ideology etc. have its own leaders. The purpose of a leader is to guide the followers and show them the path that helps them reach their goals. We rely on our leaders to make decisions for us or help us make those decisions for ourselves in day-to-day life. The decision thus made will decide the trajectory of our lives and society alike. It is this role of leader that makes them crucial for any society to function.
It is the element of faith, trust and belief in our leader’s ability and credibility that makes us follow them.it often flows from two aspects: logic and intuition, two pillars that decides the nature of leadership for any person. While logic is the process of reasoning and making decisions based on rational thinking, evidence, and a systematic approach, intuition is the ability to understand or know something without the need for conscious reasoning. Intuition is the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. Logic, on the other hand, is the use of reason and evidence to arrive at a conclusion. In this essay, we will explore how visionary decision making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
Intuition is an essential aspect of visionary decision making. It allows leaders to tap into their inner wisdom and make decisions based on their gut instincts. Intuition is often described as a sixth sense, a feeling or hunch that guides decision making. Intuition is not something that can be taught or learned; it is an innate ability that some people possess. Intuition is particularly useful in situations where there is a lack of information or uncertainty. In these situations, intuition can help leaders make decisions quickly and confidently.
On one hand logic involves considering facts, data, and the likely consequences of various choices. Logical thinking helps you assess the feasibility and potential risks of a visionary idea or decision. On the other hand, Intuition can be informed by your past experiences, knowledge, and subconscious processing of information. When making visionary decisions, tapping into your intuition can help you see connections, patterns, or possibilities that might not be immediately apparent through logical analysis alone.
When both the aspects are combined, we get a visionary leadership that is as much aware of the past as it is hopeful of the future. It is as much grounded in reality as it is flying in imagination for a desired outcome. Here we have a example of Mahatma Gandhi, his intuition of Mass struggle and logic of creating base by adding tribal , farmers in movement changed nature of overall freedom struggle . It has the potential to look at the challenges as well as strength and wisdom to pave way for achievement of the desired goals. It is this combination of creativity and analytical aspect of leadership that helps develop a level of trust and faith in the ability and credibility of a leader among his followers.
The intersection of intuition and logic is where visionary decision making happens. Leaders who can balance intuition and logic are better equipped to make decisions that are innovative, forward-thinking, and impactful. The intersection of intuition and logic allows leaders to tap into their inner wisdom while also using reason and evidence to support their decisions.
Visionary decision making requires leaders to trust their intuition while also being willing to challenge their assumptions and beliefs. Leaders who can do this are more likely to make decisions that are outside the box and have a significant impact. Visionary decision making also requires leaders to be open to new ideas and perspectives. Leaders who are too focused on their own ideas and beliefs may miss out on innovative solutions.
At the time when the communal sentiments and violence had reached its peak during Calcutta killings in 1946, Gandhi ji decided to lead upfront from Noakhali as a mascot to get religious harmony and ahimsa. It was the intuition and logic of a spirited frail old man whose leadership stopped the communal violence by appealing directly to the conscience of the people there.
Similar was the role played by Homi Jehangir Bhabha, who is responsible for India being a nuclear power today. A nation marred with hunger and poverty, coming out of a debilitating colonial rule and facing wars just as it was born, having aspirations in the field of science, especially nuclear sciences, seemed like a farfetched dream. However, leadership of Homi Jehangir Bhabha and support of then Prime Minister Nehru, paved the way for India’s nuclear program and Bhabha till date is remembered for his role in guiding the world towards peaceful use of nuclear and atomic powers.
Thus, logic and intuition when used as a combination helps in making decisions that are forward-thinking, innovative, and have the potential to create a significant impact. These decisions often involve pursuing bold ideas or strategies that go beyond conventional thinking. Leaders like Asoka are not revered for winning a great number of kingdoms but having a vision of a society that was based on principles of dhamma and humanity, which was unthinkable at that point in history.
The intersection of intuition and logic is not always easy to navigate. It requires leaders to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty. It also requires leaders to be willing to take risks and make decisions that may not be popular. However, leaders who can navigate this intersection are more likely to make decisions that are visionary and have a significant impact.
One example of visionary decision making at the intersection of intuition and logic is Steve Jobs’ decision to develop the iPhone. Jobs had a vision for a device that could combine a phone, music player, and internet browser. He trusted his intuition that this device would be revolutionary and would change the way people interacted with technology. However, Jobs also used logic to support his decision. He gathered data on consumer behavior, analyzed market trends, and evaluated the competition before making a final decision.
However, limiting the attributes of visionary and great leadership to just logic and intuition is a simplistic way of looking at things. Both logic and intuition are highly subjective and individually driven concepts. Purely intuitive decisions can be impulsive and risky, while purely logical decisions may lack innovation and creativity. They are prone to biases and prejudices and have potential to distort rational thinking and diminish the cognitive abilities of their followers.
It is said that those who can make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. This is true in the case of many morally corrupt and ideologically demented leaders throughout history. Even today, we witness it in the form of rising religious fundamentalists and their increasing hold over the unsuspecting and vulnerable sections of society. The psychological manipulation used by such people distorts the power of critical reasoning and intuition and makes the followers into mere objects for achieving their invested interests.
When such disillusioned followers are hawked by such leaders, they end up committing unimaginable harm to society and often lack any element of consciousness and guilt. Be it gang rapes, cow vigilantism, communal riots, or terrorism, all have same thread tying them as being led by a morally corrupt leader that propelled mob to collectively shame humanity at its core.
Thus, it becomes important to see leadership not just as an act to lead masses but to lead them in order to promote individual development as well as collective good. For this, we need to see the other necessary attributes that help make leadership a more effective means for growth of society and individuals within a mutual manner.
One such attribute is the sense of purpose. Such a sense of purpose should be promoted that has a dedicated objective and potential positive ramifications for all. India with its leadership in the G20 summit showcased the need to include the global south as an important pillar for development. In this way India has taken its leadership role for the global south to bring to light the issues that are often sidelined especially in the context of the developing part of the world. Be it International Solar Alliance or call for consolidated action on terrorism etc, India is driving at the leadership role with its core values of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
It is equally important for leaders to have a strategic mindset. They should be able to see the big picture, anticipate trends, and develop long-term plans to achieve their vision. Strategic thinking in confluence with emotional intelligence helps them navigate the complexity of situations and make balanced decisions. The clarity of thoughts and ability to communicate when paired with rest of the attributes makes leadership a virtue that decides the direction of the society. Such responsible and calculated leadership becomes essential in realms of administration, especially in a country as diverse and as opinionated as India.
In the present day and age, the call for responsible and morally cantered leadership has never been more urgent. With the rising threat of climate change, a multipolar, highly unequal, and deeply polarized world, there is a need for a more inclusive and forward-looking leadership. In this era of global challenges, the world hungers for leaders who transcend self-interest and power plays, leaders who place ethics and responsibility at the forefront of their decision-making. As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world marked by global issues, it is imperative that leaders rise to the occasion with a deep sense of responsibility and unwavering ethical principles.
Intuition is often useful in situations where there is limited information or time for analysis, as it allows for quick decision making based on gut feelings or past experiences. However, intuition can also be biased or influenced by personal beliefs and emotions. Logic, on the other hand, provides a more objective and systematic approach to decision making, but can also be time-consuming and may not account for all factors.
For visionary decision making, ideal balance of intuitions and logic is essential, this involves using intuition to generate ideas and possibilities, and then using logic to evaluate and refine those ideas. By combining both approaches, visionary decision makers can tap into their creativity while also ensuring that their decisions are grounded in evidence and analysis.
Ultimately, the key to balancing intuition and logic for visionary decision making is to be aware of one’s own biases and limitations, and to use a variety of tools and techniques to make informed decisions. This may involve seeking out diverse perspectives, conducting research and analysis, and trusting one’s instincts while also being open to feedback and new information.
At the same time, we must recognize the interconnectedness of today’s challenges and embrace a systems-thinking approach, acknowledging that decisions made in one part of the world can reverberate across borders. Collaboration and cooperation, both locally and globally, becomes not just a choice but a necessity for meaningful progress. Also, it is not wise to depend solely on the leaders of our times for change. We must recognize the potential within us to lead for the desired change.
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