To be a LEADER he should not only be just a king but also should be a King maker

Mr Narayana Murty[Popularly known as NRN] Founder of Infosys Technologies was believed to have been interviewed by Azim Premji  for a job in WIPRO ,and he was not selected.Then Mr NRN went on to build Infosys ,a global technology firm presently, much bigger than WIPRO.
Infosys is an outstanding example of  Team Building and succession planning.I am not a great management expert,but I always believed that a successful leader is one who produces many leaders[Which Infosys had a vision to do and both  Mr NRN and Mr  NANDAN NILAKENI have handed over the batton to next level of leaders] who can translate his vision to reality.He need not be technological giant to head an organisation,but should have an open mind to recognise the  talent,properly reward them and retain them. 

In cricket Sir Gary Sobers is great name.He was one of the best All rounders cricket has ever known,but as a captain of West Indies he was  a great disappointment and  same is the case with Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulker.Therefore,it is not necessary one should know everything to become a leader.In fact most of the time it is counter productive to know everything,which make one to unnecessarily interfere in  subordinates work.
A few years back  I was working under a person who in my  opinion had every quality to make it big.He was highly knowledgeable,hardworking,honest.He had interest in all fields and good understanding of many subjects.People used to be scared to talk to him and give  him any suggestions.In the process , he had to make all decisions by  himself.Once I even told him,of course not to his liking ," Sir, nothing grows under banyan tree.You  must allow people to think, make their  own decisions." No doubt he was a King but,never became King maker.

I have seen many intelligent and resorceful  people who had  cultivated habit of  forming  a  very  low opinion about subordinates ,which unfortunately  they consider that their strength,and never bother about Team building and Succession planing .They hold all powers close to their chest and their vision is extremely short sighted.In the process they will remain in the same position as loners and look after only their personal growth.Later,they get disillusioned and leave the organisation.However ,it is very unlikely that they would ever succeed.Where as for  a king maker the team will follow him wherever he goes,like honey bees following the queen's bee.

A king maker to me, is one who has the ability pick up the right talent for the  right job,nurture them,take care of their interest and  their career growth and finally gain their loyalty.He should be able to appreciate that his subordinates are his goodwill ambassadors.King makers will have exponential growth curve,under him  his team will also go up in the ladder in the similar manner.

 The outstanding  exampleS for King makers are Mr NRN and DR APJ Abdul Kalam  former president of India.
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Dr APJ Kalam is an  example of how a leader should be.If you have read his book 'Wings of fire' one will understand his way selecting Heads for each  Project.He is the one who transformed DRDO ,which was otherwise was  highly bureaucratic organisation to a vibrant organisation.Anybody who had worked under him always had good words for him.He took care of their interest both personal and official , where as they worked very hard to realise his dream.He himself sometime has told that," I am not great expert but,I have great people working with me." 

He is a man of great humility,compassion,honesty and great Integrity.He was in a  sense, a  real Karma yogi as told by lord Krisha in Bhaghavadgita and a true secular Indian of modern India.I was told by many who have associated with him earlier  that , he was the one  first to come to the  office and the last one  to  leave the  office.Recently, I met one of his close colleague who had worked with him when he was in ISRO.He is  a person normally does not appreciate anybody  unless he is doubly  convinced,but he had great respect and appreciation for DR APJ Kalam.In management circles,whenever you talk of  matrix management  DR Kalam's management technique is given as an outstanding  example.  His leadership qualities  can be understood by single example given below.

After he became The President of India ,He visited one of the centres of ISRO.After going to Dias he asked the Center Director," I want speak  to one person by name  Bapayya" who happened to be technician at that time.All of them wondered why he wanted to speak to him.Then he told them how this man has claimbed  the rocket launchpad tower  of SLV to separate the umbilical cord just before the launch, when it failed to get separated.It was a very risky job and he had the courage to do it.Great people do not forget the steps they have climbed after going up.They will consider it as a god given opportunity  preside over the destiny of the people and the organisation .

How many of us   follow his example? Some people may  hug lower level employees for photo session .But ,DR Kalam had  the true love and compassion for his less fortunate fellow workers.Let me also make it clear that I had never worked under him.You need to be  extremely fortunate to get King maker as your boss.If you have one you are highly blessed.