Inspiring moments with President Kalam
There is a trend on social media about inspirational quotes, to motivate and guide people. But the meaning of such quotations can’t be understood without knowing the stores which shaped these words! We all are familiar with hundreds of quotes by the President Kalam which continue to inspire us all, but very few of us know the context!
My interactions with President Kalam on various occasions left an indelible mark on my personal and professional life. Many of his words inspired me in difficult times and kept me grounded on many occasions of success.
In 2006, I had the first opportunity to call on President Kalam as a part of Indian Forest Service probationers’ batch. Seated on his left during the interaction followed by the Question-Answer session there were many thoughts on my mind but not so confident, back then, I kept on waiting or mustering courage till the end of session, with a portable mic in my hand. Moments short of his closing remarks the President Kalam noticing my body language remarked that there were many questions from the probationers sitting on the right, so let’s have one last question from the left as well!!!
Many years later I released that President Kalam did not point towards me directly as sensing my nervousness he thought to keep it general to elicit my question! So my question was as follows:-
“In Government system there are strict rules and guidelines. There may be real life situations where we feel that we are unable to solve the issue or help the people in view of specific norms, in absence of which the relief would have been due to benefit such people. What should be our approach towards such situations involving dilemma about the rules and real-life situation at variance”.
The response was not a bureaucratic set of words but reflective of a typical leader who inspires people with his words and real-life decision-making examples. The reply from President Kalam was:-
“We made rules and forgot to reboot! The situation you mentioned would be an integral part of Civil Servants in their career, particularly while working in remote areas of the country. When you are faced with such a situation, sit back and think what will actually defeat the problem, following a rule or violating it? Or at the variance of the rule? The idea should be defeating a problem, not merely following a rule! In case the problem can be defeated by violating a rule, do that, make sure to do that, but at the same time write on file about your thought process, your observations and what led you to decide at variance of the rules to defeat the problem. Unless we do that, the problems won’t be defeated and rule won’t evolve”.
I was just over-awed to hear this from President Kalam. None less the President of India remaking in a public event to violate the rules to defeat the problem for public good, an act in good faith!!, came as such an inspiring event in life which always guided my career and at every possible occasion I have tried to share this with junior colleagues in the Civil Services.
My next question was about leadership in the Civil Services to which the president quoted an experience he encountered at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which he fondly recollected to cite as an example. It was about Prof Satish Dhawan. In 1979, SLV-3 Satellite Mission was to be launched and the media had been invited for the launch ceremony. A press conference was to follow after the launch.
Minutes after the launch the SLV-3 satellite crashed into the Bay of Bengal! The mission was led by Mr Kalam. The auditorium of the ISRO facility was packed with media, to its full capacity, moments before the crash! Mr Kalam was scheduled to address the press bout the launch of SLV-3 satellite mission, its salient features and benefits to the country. And then it crashed!
A nervous scientist Mr Kalam, feeling shattered and failed, was proceeding to the auditorium to address the media about the tragic loss and future efforts for course correction. At this moment when Mr Kalam just held the handle to door towards the dais, that Prof Satish Dhawan held him back and proceeded to address the press conference which was to be addressed by Mr Kalam! He faced the media and laid down a roadmap for re-launch of the mission. He faced the toughest questions and conveyed confidence to the country for a successful mission ahead. It was reassuring for everyone in the hall, and ofcourse the country through the media.
Back in office, Prof Dhawan offered tea to Mr Kalam and asked to return to the project after a quick break of few days. Months later the scene followed, it was once again launch of SLV-3 mission after which Prof Dhawan was scheduled to address the press conference. The launch was successful! Returning to the auditorium, Prof Dhawan asked Mr Kalam to go to the auditorium and address the press conference! Unbelievable!!
That’s a story of leadership. When a team member failed, you went ahead to own responsibility. When the same mission succeeded with your active supervision and support, you asked the frontline colleague to go and address the nation, instead of claiming the credit before media and the nation!
This experience sharing by President Kalam again came as a life-changing experience! It still remains a principle in life. Credit must be given where it is due, to whom it is due!! Leadership is not about making announcements and taking credits, due and undue, it’s about inspiring your team, empowering them, making them feel respected and cared for. This multiplies the outcome of your efforts!! Still this remains very rare in the life around us.
On few other occasions I briefly had the opportunity of conversation with President Kalam and each moment came with a lifetime experience. Many innovations I was able to introduce are attributed to the motivating words of the people’s president which I will be sharing subsequently, how an Idea led to a change!
President Kalam continues to live among us not only through his contributions but also his words, thoughts and actions which inspire us every day to make positive contribution and difference to this world!
[Based on personal interaction]
