Heard Dr.Kalam “Frankly Speaking” on TIMES NOW on Sunday 04.11.07. What he said in reply to the question by Arnab Goswami “What is Leadership quality” is simple awesome.
Dr.Kalam replied - Let me explain with the help an example- I think leadership quality is what I had seen in my guru “Dr. Satish Dhawan”- It was year 1979; November....
The first launch of SLV-3 failed of which I was the Project Director, responsible for everything. Instead of putting satellite in space it fall down in Bay of Bengal. There was huge criticism in media; 20 crores put in Bay of Bengal etc etc. Dr. Satish Dhawan told me; “I have to address a press meet, u come along”.
In the press meet he said, “Yes I accept it was a failure. I still thank all my team members for putting in their best. Give us an year’s time and v will show”. I (Dr.Kalam) was retained as Project Director.
Next year the launch was successful and there was huge appreciation in the media. Again there was time for a press meet and this time Dr. Satish Dhawan told me; “U address the press meet”
Then Dr.Kalam told Arnab Goswami; see this is what I say leadership quality, “a leader takes the responsibility of failure, but let his followers taste the success”