Dr Manmohan Singh, the 13th Prime Minister of India, is widely regarded as one of the most influential prime ministers in the history of India, for better or for worse. Comically dubbed as the ‘Accidental Prime Minister of India’, Manmohan Singh has had a legacy rarely rivalled by any other politician in Indian history. The news of his passing at the age of 92 hit the whole nation like a wrecking ball and indented a hole which will probably never be filled again. Nonetheless, Dr Singh lived a life nestled in controversies, achievements and sheer potential. This begs the question, What leadership lessons can one extract from the legendary career of Dr. Manmohan Singh?
Table of Contents
Economic Reforms and Bold Decision Making (1991 Economic Liberation)
In 1991, India’s economic history took a complete U-turn after the country’s economic liberalisation, which Dr Manmohan Singh orchestrated. Facing a severe payment crisis, Singh pushed through major economic reforms, including reducing trade barriers, privatising state-run institutions and devaluing the currency. These reforms opened up the Indian economy to the whole world and transformed India into what is now the fastest-growing economy in the world. At the time, devaluing the currency and opening up the economy was considered a bad thing, but Dr. Manmohan persisted. As a result, we now are the 5th largest economy in the world.
Lesson to Learn: Great leaders must be willing to make bold decisions, even in times of uncertainty, to ensure long-term growth and stability.
Resilience During the 2008 Financial Crisis
In 2008, when the world thought that it could not be another economic breakdown, the US stock market collapsed and affected the economies of almost every major country in the world. During this financial meltdown, Singh was pressured to safeguard India’s economy. As a result, Singh issued government bonds worth ₹ 20,000 Crore to inject liquidity into the economy and protect it from the financial turmoil happening around the world. This move not only saved India from this financial turmoil but also pushed it towards a trajectory of improving economics and a quick recovery.
Lesson to Learn: Resilience and quick, calculated action during crises are essential for safeguarding national interests and ensuring recovery.
Commitment to Social Welfare and Inclusivity
As a prime minister, Singh was exemplary due to the schemes and programs he introduced. His government introduced various social welfare schemes, including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, or NREGA, in 2005. Under the NREGA scheme, the government pledged to provide at least 100 days of wage employment to rural households, which helped pull millions out of poverty. Moreover, he introduced many schemes that empowered the citizens of India. One example is the Right to Information Act or RTI Act. This act provided transparency in government dealings and helped create a more trusting and forgiving environment in the country. For the first time ever, people living in a democracy had a right to seek information and answers from the government.
Lesson to Learn: A leader must balance economic growth with social welfare, ensuring that development benefits all sections of society.
Leadership Through Diplomacy: Indo-US Nuclear Deal
Nuclear energy is the energy of the future, and Dr Manmohan Singh understood that and negotiated a deal with the American government. This showed that besides having unparalleled economic and financial knowledge, Mr Singh also possessed diplomatic skills. Despite facing fierce opposition from various political quarters, he navigated the negotiations with utmost diplomacy and was successful in securing a landmark agreement that allowed India access to civilian nuclear technology. This deal not only boosted India’s international standing but also helped boost the nation’s energy security.
Lesson to Learn: Diplomacy and negotiation are critical tools for leaders to resolve complex issues and build international alliances.
Maintaining Integrity in Challenging Times
Although nobody ever questioned his integrity throughout his two tenures as Prime Minister of India, his reputation for integrity was never more apparent than during the 2G Spectrum scam. Despite being surrounded by political controversies, Singh maintained his personal and professional integrity. Moreover, throughout his career, he was never implicated in any controversy, scam, or corruption case, highlighting how high he held his ethics. Sanjaya Baru even wrote about this in the book The Accidental Prime Minister.
Lesson to Learn: Integrity is the foundation of effective leadership. Leaders must prioritise honesty and transparency, especially when facing public and political challenges.
Although he never received the respect he deserved from his peers and the general public, maybe the history books will remember him the way he was and give him the much-awaited respect. These lessons from Manmohan Singh’s leadership provide invaluable insights into making tough decisions, staying resilient in crises, and maintaining integrity while balancing economic growth with social welfare.
