Kalam for creative leadership

Creative leadership is what the country would require in future for economic and social development.

Speaking at the 11th National Conference on the HRD, former President of India and scientist A P J Abdul Kalam said, "A creative leader is the one who would have the vision and courage to travel into the unexplored path, manage success and failures, have nobility in management (transparent in every action) and have the courage to take tough decisions."

In his speech on the topic "My Vision for India", Kalam emphasized on the development of youth and leadership qualities.

He called for the inclusion 220 million Indians living below the poverty line in all the development efforts.

"Challenges attracts youths and hence the youths of India must take the challenge to partner all the 220 millions of there countrymen who are living in poverty," he said.

Future leaders had to be compassionate about work.

Evolution of a management system was needed for successful implementation of projects.

He called for a dynamic organisational set up with a robust review mechanism, saying, "Recognition of the team effort is very important and a leader should take responsibility of failures."

Kalam said that in modern times the traditional roles of key people had changed.

The commander has changed to a coach, manager to mentor and directors to dedicators, and a future leader have to portray these roles with loyalty, he explained.

"A creative leader should work with courage to succeed in all his missions and if this happens, this would make the 21st century as India's century," he added.