A loved leader? Or a feared leader?

I remember a movie called Mohabbatein. It was on same topic i.e. love or fear.

Uncle gets emotional. He immediately calls a meeting. He apologizes to all students. He hands over the college to love guru. He leaves and with it we have colorful people with dhol, bajas and tablas entering the college and people spreading love everywhere. Now don't ask me what happened after the exams.

It has to be a balance of both.

Originally posted by: Summer3

It has to be a balance of both.

You can love a pop star but the country will go down the dumps 😆

Originally posted by: King-Anu

I remember a movie called Mohabbatein. It was on same topic i.e. love or fear.

In short it is a story about an uncle, a love guru, three stooges and a ghost. The uncle is the principal of a college where three stooges study. The college is run on fear. There is no love, no fun, no freedom. Enters the love guru and ghost. The three stooges under the leadership of love guru began a revolt and then story and the school goes towards a downward spiral. Uncle sacks guru.

Towards the end love guru reveals that he is the fiance of his late daughter (the ghost). He tells him that he loves him the most in this world despite never meeting him before. However uncle does not appreciate his sentiments. Love guru then gives the line of the movie. He said from where I am looking you have lost old man. You lost your daughter and today you lost a son - the love guru.

Uncle gets emotional. He immediately calls a meeting. He apologizes to all students. He hands over the college to love guru. He leaves and with it we have colorful people with dhol, bajas and tablas entering the college and people spreading love everywhere. Now don't ask me what happened after the exams.

A scene from the movie. Here love guru is playing dhool, stooges dancing, ghost in romantic mode but uncle controlling his BP

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HpURaBhRhg&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

moral of the story is that both are not important qualities. a leader should be honest and hard working.

Yes I agree with u King ji...the leader should be fair and just to all...

Originally posted by: -Aliya-

Is it better, more effective for a leader to be loved or feared by their people?

Which is the best fit quality to someone in command to be successful in leadership?

Can they possess both and still be a strong leader?

They were supposed to be teenagers in Mohabattein? I thought they were college youth, like undergraduate students. IMO, both Big B and SRK were wrong in the movie. Excessively strict rules, segregating genders, prohibiting flirting or all forms of romantic interests, prohibiting festive activities is wrong and OTT. At the same time encouraging students to focus only on romantic interests is foolish. Not to mention how unhealthy it is for a grown man to obsess over and have visions of a dead lover. I get that it was tragic and the intent, but there are better ways to deal with grief. The original Dead Poets Society is such a beautiful movie. A much better plot and story.

Anyway on topic, leadership style completely depends on the nature of organization, nature of followers and situation. Some people respond to fear and need tough authoritarian leaders. Some people get intimidated or retaliate to fear and need more loving leadership style. Some situations need a leader to take charge and bark orders. Some situations need a leader to inspire others or take feedback. An army commander does not give a fuzzy feel good speech and ask his soldiers what they feel and what they want to do. They give out precise orders and are harsh on those who don't perform or obey. That does not make them bad leaders. A good leader is one who can adapt their style as necessary and get the right results.

They werent teenagers 😆 they were all 20 somethings in the movie 😛

I remember crying buckets when watching this movie .. I also remember how my mother didn't want me to watch it because she deemed it a bit vulgar (aka the girls' clothing 😆) 10 years on.. i still love the song but cant understand why i liked it in the first place 😆


Coming to the topic ... A good leader is one who knows the pulse of his people and adapts accordingly .. someone who is able to take some tough decisions - even if it means going against the popular tide .. In short a leader who balances the act of being loved as well as feared ...

I will step outside the trap and say that a leader does not need to be loved or feared. If one loves or fears his/her leader, then it is because of the leader's leadership style. All a leader needs to do is... surprise... lead! And lead effectively. Be a role model to the group he/she is leading and of course, get the things done.

imo a leader who is doing a good job will be loved autoamtically by his people so technically answering your question - it would be a loved leader,
i think rajiv gandhi, gandhi ji , ec are clear examples of people who have lead effectively...
if people fear their leader what good is goign to come out of it??? maybe we will get more anna hazares and strikes and national unrest...