Fair-Minded Leaders

Leadership Qualities

Employees have great admiration and respect for leaders in their organization. Good leaders can easily relate to other people. They can build strong rapport with others, which leads to their popularity. A good leader is unprejudiced, astute and passes impartial judgment, which is just an acceptable solution to all so that no further conflict arises. A leader is expected to be fair-minded and handle each decision in a manner that is respected.

A fair-minded leader analyses both sides of an issue and develops a resolution that is viewed by others as right. A good portion of being fair-minded is tied to how honest a leader is perceived to be. Fair-minded leaders are tolerant and non-discriminating, accepting and considering the views of others. They are true to their own beliefs without forcing them on others. Fair-minded leaders give everyone an equal opportunity to succeed, devoid of favoritism.

They treat bosses and subordinates with the same level of respect. They discourage any real or perceived favoritism that may result from conducting business with friends or acquaintances. Fair-minded leaders are empathetic, willing to walk in another person’s shoes before making a judgment. They climb the ladder of success, they lift up others and are genuinely happy for their success.

Fair-minded leaders employ clear and sensible thinking. They examine both sides of an issue before forming an opinion. They make decisions based on hard evidence and reason rather than emotion. They are free from personal bias and they disclose any bias before offering an opinion. Fair-minded leaders are tolerant and non-discriminating, accepting the views of others. They are true to their own beliefs without forcing them on others.

Being consistent and just will earn people’s trust and respect, so a good leader is always fair-minded and consistent in his dealings with all others, based on a personal code of values.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

தகுதி எனவொன்று நன்றே பகுதியால்

பாற்பட்டு ஒழுகப் பெறின். (111)

मध्यस्थता यथेष्ट है, यदि हो यह संस्कार ।
शत्रु मित्र औ’ अन्य से, न्यायोचित व्यवहार ॥ (१११)

Explanation by Scholars

That equity which consists in acting with equal regard to each of (the three) divisions of men [enemies, strangers and friends] is a pre-eminent virtue.

பகைவர், அயலார், நண்பர் எனப் பகுத்துப் பார்த்து ஒருதலைச் சார்பாக நிற்காமல் இருத்தலே நன்மை தரக்கூடிய நடுவுநிலைமை எனும் தகுதியாகும்.