Transformational Leadership and Asian Indian Values: Duty, Selfless Service, and Nonviolence

Abstract

As reports increase of scandals and unethical behavior in Western corporations and organizations, public faith in leadership has declined, indicating the need for a reevaluation of what makes a good leader. We propose a transformational style of ethical leadership, supplemented by traditional Indian values, for leadership that focuses on duty, selfless service, and nonviolence. We address Indian cultural values of dharma, karma-yoga, and ahimsa in reference to transformational leadership, highlighting the contributions of influential Indian leaders like Mohandas K. Gandhi. We describe the consonance of these values and counseling psychology ideals, as well as their applications for leadership practice, training, and research.

Injustice in the Justice System: Reforming Inequities for True “Justice for All”

“…Counseling psychologists are uniquely prepared to engage in leadership roles given their training in understanding human behavior, ability to work with diverse populations, and competence to listen and build rapport. Serving in these capacities can situate counseling psychologists in a position where they can serve as a potent force toward transforming unjust laws and policies (Varghese et al, 2017). Nationally, counseling psychologists could provide leadership in diverse settings, such as holding positions in public policy organizations focused on changing unjust policies.…”

“…Such leadership has been the mark of transformational leaders such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., who, even in the face of brutal injustice, led nonviolent protests by refusing to comply with unjust laws. Counseling psychologists' core values of social justice and diversity allow for such a transformational leadership style (Varghese et al, 2017), particularly in light of immoral, unjust, and unconscionable laws and policies. Today, nonviolent resistance might occur in the form of outreach to undocumented individuals and the provision of mental health care or sanctuary (Fournier, 2018).…”

Future Shock: Counseling Psychology in a VUCA World

“…Several articles in the special issue also focused on various aspects of cultural issues in leadership. For instance, Varghese et al (2017) made a case for the relevance of Asian Indian values to counseling psychologists in leadership roles, and Miville et al (2017) discussed the importance of honoring Latina/o cultural roots in enacting leadership, especially in the development of the National Latina/o Psychological Association. Varghese et al and Miville et al offered strong and explicit descriptions of the ways in which leadership approaches can and should be embedded in cultural values.…”

“…Although not formal components of this special issue, Melba Vasquez’s (2017) Leona Tyler Award address and Hargons, Mosley, et al’s (2017) analysis of Black Lives Matter do relate to cultural values and leadership; therefore, we note them briefly here. Vasquez’s address, by using the “mujerista” conceptualization combining gender and Latina/o culture, explicitly extends the idea of culturally embedded leadership to an intersectional approach not fully developed in the Miville et al (2017) and Varghese et al (2017) articles. Thus, it is an excellent example of understanding contemporary leadership challenges as intersectional issues.…”

Leadership in Counseling Psychology: Introduction to the Special Issue

“…Two articles in this issue specifically focus on integrating diverse cultural perspectives into leadership models. In one article, Varghese et al (2017 [this issue]) make a case for the relevance of Asian Indian values to counseling psychologists, and suggest specific ways in which these values may complement a transformational leadership approach. Specifically, they discuss the integration of duty, selfless service, and nonviolence into leadership within counseling psychology.…”