Ruling the nation effectively and winning elections requires the support of the electorate and the general public. A political leader must walk a fine line between governance and populism. For instance, the most populous democracy in India, headed by Prime Minister NarendraModi, is about to enter its tenth year of office, and he intends to seek reelection for the third time. It begs the question of what aspect of charm most regulates his demeanor and keeps him consistently the most popular politician in the world. People would find it interesting to learn about the distinctive qualities of PM Modito expand our comprehension of what constitutes an influential political leader.

This survey research aims to identify the distinctive traits that make Prime Minister NarendraModi an inspiring leader and determine if respondents' perspectives differ significantly. The study includes 19 leadership traits relevant to PM Modi's leadership styles, extracted from previous articles and expert discussions. The research aims to expand our understanding of what constitutes an influential political leader and to understand the charm that keeps him the most popular politician in the world.

This study collected quantitative data from LinkedIn connections using a random sampling procedure. A self-designed questionnaire was sent to 700 people from various backgrounds to rate their agreement or disagreement with 19 leadership traits. The study was conducted in March and February 2024, with 29% of the responses (203) available for analysis. Executives filled out 21.2% of the questionnaires, while educators, businesspeople, and others filled out the rest. Government agencies employed 16.3%, and 59.1% were from non-governmental groups. 50.2% held a doctorate, and 37.4% completed postgraduate courses. Most respondents were between 30 and 40 years old, with 64% employed for ten years or longer.

The study reveals that the top ten leadershiptraitsin ranking order include:‘strong network building,’‘self-motivation,’‘global perspective,’‘visionary leadership,’‘determination & result-orientation,’‘public direction communication skills,’‘proactive approach,’ ‘being organised (detailed-oriented),’ ‘integrity in the workplace,’ and ‘creative thoughts and thinking.’

Participants rated self-motivation and powerful networking traits over 90%. Of the 19 leadership qualities, 89.5% were rated above 80%. The mean values for the first ten leadership traits exceed the grand mean of 4.25.Whether it's on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, people have always recognized PMModi as a popular figure. It follows that PMModi has been successful in inspiring and motivating people through the use of social media in an effective and efficient manner.

The Mann-Whitney test showed disparities between Indian and international respondents' evaluations of PM Modi's leadership qualities about two traits: "global perspective" and "keen to maintain welfare economics." Educators and other groups hold drastically different attitudes of "transparency towards the public," "empathy with regular people," "works for sustainability," "perception management," and "resilience." This discrepancy may be attributed to Indian culture and societal lack of trust.

The great-man hypothesis sometimes called the trait theory, postulates that profoundly ingrained personality traits are how leadership is attained. PM Modi has developed into a compelling worldwide visionary leader by displaying these qualities in various contexts. He uses excellent networking and communication abilities and is self-motivated, persistent, decisive, and goal-oriented. With an emphasis on strategic planning and policy direction, he has changed politics from being about votes to being about performance. Examples of his accomplishments include Make in India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Zero Defect-Zero Effect, Jan DhanYojna, Skill India, Swatch Bharat, highway development, railway infrastructure modernization, high-quality airports, defense arms and ammunition, and increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in strategic sectors, tactfully organizing the G20 summit, etc. His proactive strategy and resolute decision-making have altered the collective mindset of the country, resulting in peace, tranquility, and rapid advancement in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to survey participants' open ideas regarding additional potential traits or qualities, Modi is a highly driven leader who upholds strict discipline. He is direct, honest, and unafraid to call others out on their faults and strong points. "Once a work has started, get the results," is his driving principle. He is very organized and on time. He has very specific standards for cleanliness and hygienic conditions. He is a very dedicated and persistent person. Every time someone makes an attempt to bring him down, he emerges from the ashes like a phoenix. He is a workaholic, energetic, determined, persistent, and has a straightforward demeanor. He also has a great belief in social service and philanthropy.

Therefore, PM Modi's reputation as a versatile, self-driven, and social influencer sets him apart from other world leaders.Some respondents feel that PM Modi and his administration focus more on public transparency concerns and cultivate greater empathy for everyday people.

From Soldier to Business Leader | Colonel Vineet Seth's Journey

Related Stories