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Role Model in Leadership

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Ratan Tata, My Inspiration

Ratan Tata is the one I admire as a leader and influence on my life because of several

reasons. The Tata Group, under his leadership, has been known for its integrity, compassion,

excellence, unity, and accountability. There is no fixed definition of leadership. Broadly,

leadership is the ability to guide, inspire, and influence individuals or a group toward achieving

shared goals. (Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R. C., & Curphy, G. J.,2022). A person qualifies as a

leader when s/he holds a position that enables their actions to influence individuals within a

group through authoritative or managerial means not accessible to others (Rotemberg & Saloner,

1993). Ratan Tata has set high business standards by putting social responsibility and ethical

practices first.

Ratan Tata has shown he is a resilient leader who can bounce back from setbacks. His

leadership is transformational because, at one point, Tata Group faced a financial situation when

Ratan Tata took over the chairman position and handled the situation carefully. He encourages

his team to learn from their mistakes and keep improving. He has demonstrated that you can

overcome obstacles with determination and hard work.

His actions during the terrorist attack in New Delhi show that he is committed to the

safety and security of general people. He has shown that being a good leader is not just about

making profits but also about serving the greater good. Tata Trusts, holding a significant 63% of

Tata's revenue, is committed to engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

UKEssays. (November 2018). These activities include the establishment of hospitals and the

founding of education and research centers. In 2010, Tata Group entities and charitable

foundations associated with Tata contributed $50 million towards developing an executive center

at Harvard Business School (HBS). This facility, named Tata Hall in honor of Ratan Tata,
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resulted from their generous donation. His focus on human development inspires other leaders,

showing that success can be used for the greater good.

Ratan Tata's leadership style is characterized by humility, a positive attitude, and a strong

focus on building stakeholder trust. He can connect with employees and motivate them to

succeed within the Tata Group through strategic acquisitions like Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and

Corus. His global vision and ability to lead the group to international recognition testify to his

strong leadership qualities.

References

Harvard Business School Receives $50 Million Gift from the Tata Trusts and Companies. (2010,

October 14). Harvard Business School. https://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/Pages/tatagift.aspx

Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R. C., & Curphy, G. J. (2022). Leadership: Enhancing the Lessons of

Experience (10th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.

Rotemberg, J. J., & Saloner, G. (1993). Leadership style and incentives. Management Science,

39, 1299–1318. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc. 39.11.1299

UKEssays. (November 2018). Ethical Leadership Case Study: Ratan Tata and India’s Tata

Group. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/assignments/ethical-leadership-case-study-

ratan-tata-and-indias-tata-group-2021.php?vref=1