There is so much talk, and so much being written, on the theory of Leadership- which includes different leadership styles of autocratic, democratic, laissez faire, participatory; the list goes on. But in all this, many of us forget that leadership is about example. What works ultimately is "DO AS I DO" rather than "DO AS I SAY."

In a career spanning 40 years, I have been impressed by many leaders (and have been left unimpressed by many more) - and here are only three of them:

There was the late Prof Madhu Dandavate, the well-known socialist leader of yesteryears, and professor of Chemistry at a Mumbai city college, who became the railways minister. When the Charan Singh government fell, he lost his job and came back to Mumbai. And I saw him taking the train at Churchgate station to go to Dadar. It was just a week after he had been railway minister! I was surprised, and asked him WHY? He answered simply: WHY NOT?

It reminded me of the photograph in the newspaper that I saw of Harold Macmillan, three days after he ceased to be Prime Minister of UK. He was at the bus stop, waiting for a bus with a well-rolled umbrella in his hand!

Power had not corrupted either Dandavate or Macmillan. As Kipling had said in his poem "If you can walk with kings, without losing the common touch."

There was the late owner of Kwality Biscuits which was a very big seller in the South. A large tea company offered to buy the Kwality at a very attractive price. This was much before mergers and acquisitions became "de rigeur." Kwality agreed to sell, provided its existing distributors and salesmen were allowed to remain in place for three years after the takeover. The buyer said refused to this condition. The seller did not want to betray the people who had helped him build the company. After all, the sale would only give him a personal benefit. In time, the staff came to know about this failed negotiation and they were touched. They then worked harder to make the company even more successful. Trust begets trust; and one good turn deserves another This is what is termed as true, honest, sincere, unselfish leadership.

The late Dini Gaitonde, CEO of Century Enka in Pune, spent 20 per cent of his time outside his own office. Because he was visiting sick staff in the hospital; helping staff children to get admission in school or college using his reference and his influence; interacting with staff on the factory floor - and always accessible without barriers of doors or secretaries. Dini, therefore, became a leader who was respected and loved - not just admired or feared. This was paternalistic leadership at its best.

For me, these and many more like these - made leadership come alive and added warm flesh to the cold skeleton of leadership theories in management books.

So, what is your leadership style?

Send us your answers on itsmyascent@indiatimes.com and be our ‘Winner of the week'

Please DO NOT forget to mention your Name, Designation and Organisation's name in the email