THE MAGIC SPELL OF A BOOK (CHAPTER-42)

ExcerptThe chapter is about the impression of book Unto This Last had on Gandhis Life. Gandhi
talks about how one of his friends recommended him the book and how he could not lay
aside it after started reading. The accent is on the learnings that Gandhi got from reading
the book and how he decided to implement those in his life.

Framework4 Capabilities Leadership Framework- MIT Sloan Management

Developed over a four-year period by Professors Deborah Ancona, Tom Malone,
and Wanda Orlikowski, with Senior Lecturer Peter Senge, and tested in diverse real
world settings, the 4-Cap is a powerful tool for understanding and integrating the four
critical components of leadership
The 4-Cap, as described in research on Leadership in the Age of Uncertainty, defines
these components as follows:
Sense making: making sense of the world around us, coming to understand the
context in which we are operating
Relating: developing key relationships within and across organizations
Visioning: creating a compelling picture of the future
Inventing: designing new ways of working together to realize the vision

Explaining Mahatma Gandhis Leadership through 4C FrameworkSense makingThe teachings of Unto This Last he understood to be:
The good of the individual is contained in the good of all
A lawyer's work has the same value as the barber's, in as much as all have the same
right of earning their livelihood from their work
A life of labour, i.e., the life of the tiller of the soil and the handicraftsman is the life
worth living
This shows that Gandhi had the ability to understand the world around him and how one
can do well for himself by benefiting all. Also he realized that no work is small and the
value of each individuals work is same. This also gives them equal right to earn their
bread by doing their work. Apart from these, he came to understand that the life of a
labor is also worth living because it gives them the equal ability like others to work for
himself and as well for the society and make an impact to the countrys growth.

RelatingHe knew the 1st point. He was dimly aware of the 2nd point but he was totally unaware of
the 3rd point. But as an efficient leader he realized that the 2 nd and 3rd points were
contained in the 1st point. He understood when a labour will realize that his work is equally
important and esteemed as a lawyer he will be respectful towards his work. Then he will
understand the worth of his living and his work. This will cause the betterment of his work
and eventually it will improve his productivity. So, it will have positive impact for those who

are dependent on his work. So, the betterment for all eventually provides wellness for
himself. So, this is discussed in the 1 st point.

VisioningGandhi was also a great visionary. He had the effectiveness as a leader to understand the
underlying meanings of the book. He comprehended that if the lower strata is given due
respect and given the confidence that there life is worthy then the positive attitude will
disperse in the society. This can be used to solve the problems of communal conflict, social
class conflict and eventually can provide India its independence by collective attempt from
society. So, this shows that Gandhi was a leader of high caliber.

InventingThe leader not only realizes the vision but also plans the proper implementation strategy. In
a standard team leader gets the opportunity to share his vision among his followers but
here Gandhi read a book. So, the best way to share the knowledge gained from a book is
not only by recommending it to others but also to use those learnings in his life. The leader
leads his followers by setting example. So, he said that to change the situation one has to
change his behavior favorably.

BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD