7002 ENG

Engineering Communication & Leadership

Assignment #1:
Title: Dr. APJ ABDUL KALAM A VISIONARY LEADER
Team Leader Name and ID: SHARON THOMAS DANIEL (S2953510)
Team Member Name and ID: ANJAN KHANAL(S2930724)
Team Member Name and ID: RAMANDEEP SINGH (S2929024)
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Team Leader: Name:

Date: 04/05/2016
SHARON THOMAS DANIEL

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Team Member: Name: ANJAN KHANAL

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Team Member Name: RAMANDEEP SINGH

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Executive summary:

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Visionary leadership in business requires that, leader unmistakably see where your organization could be
in future and plan the fundamental strides to get your association to that stage. A visionary leader must
have a dream and willingness to achieve long term objectives. A person who can motivate his group to
succeed their passion to reality is believed to have visionary leadership capabilities. This report will focus
on AJP Abdul Kalams vision to make India a developed nation by 2020 (Abdul Kalam et.al 1999). It is a
report of transformation of a person from common man to an extraordinary human being whose whole life
is contributed for the sake of technological swing and building of nation.
He was a President, Scientist, Professor, Engineer, Inspiring Writer and Boss of Missile program in India.
The main job of the leader is also to transfer their capabilities to the younger generation, which Kalam did
in his era. He is also known as the peoples president.

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CONTENTS

Executive Summary ....2

1. Introduction.......................3
2. Leaders Performance..5
3. Applications and Theories of Leadership.5
4. Dr. Kalams Personality6
5. Dr. Kalam Transformation Leader7
6. Motivational Strategy.8
7. Scope of the leaders personality8
8. Acute study of leadership9
9. Conclusion10
10. Refrences11

Introduction:

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Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15 th of October 1931 AD in Rameswaram, Tamil
Nadu of India. Sir Abdul Kalam was a Researcher and Engineer who have served as the 11 th president of
India from 2002 till 2007. Sir Abdul Kalam has contributed India dramatically well, is remembered as an
elegant leader, scientist and as an energetic President. He is also known as Missile man of India. His
hard work is seen in numerous vigilant projects. Some of them were Project Devil, Valiant Project and the
launch of the missions Rohini-1, Agni and Prithivi (The Famous people, 2016).
Sir Abdul Kalam had exceptionally well leadership capabilities. He was graduated in science from St.
Joseph College in the year 1954 and got his Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Madras
Institute of Technology (MIT) in the year 1957 AD. He was extra ordinary in developing the fiber glass
technology. Abdul Kalam with his team has contributed India to become a member of space club by
successfully launching the satellite Rohini in the sky on July 1980s. He has succeeded to open Research
center Imarat for practicing advanced technologies. While working with the department of atomic energy
india, he had made India nuclear weapon state.
Sir Abdul Kalam has spent almost forty years as a research scientist and a science leader at the Defense
Research and Development organization and on the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
(Wikipedia, 2016). Kalam was also engaged in the countrys civilian space program and developing the
armys missile development processes. He was honored by the indias prestigious awards like Padma
Bhusan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna by the government in the years 1981, 1990 and 1997
respectively. He is also mentioned as Peoples president.
As an prominent researcher and the chief of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment
Council (TIFAC) and with the help of his team, he drove the nation to land at Technology vision 2020
giving a leadership for changing India from the present developing phase to the prosperous developed
country.APJ Kalam has also worked as a cabinet minister on the year 1999 to 2001 was in charge of
advancing approaches, methodologies and missions for some improvement applications (Abdul Kalam,
2016).
On the 27th of July 2015, while delivering a lecture on Creating a Livable planet Earth at the institute of
management, he suffered from sudden cardiac discomfort and later died that evening. He is always
remembered for taking India to this stage.
The following report reflects the leadership and communication qualities Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen
Abdul Kalam which elaborate on following:
a) Leaders Performance
b) Applications and Theories of Leadership
c) Dr. Kalams Personality

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d) Dr. Kalam Transformation Leader

e) Motivational Strategy
f) Scope of the leaders personality
f) Acute study of leadership
Leaders Performance:
APJ Abdul Kalam is considered as a talented leader in research and development organizations, who
have directed country India for being technological self sufficient and member of space club. A prominent
pioneer has an extreme aim to lead so they possess the characteristics like clear vision of an effective
and desirable future. A leader always tries to inspire his group to navigate them to achieve their aim. They
clearly have an image of the future they want to create so are called far sighted person. Likewise, APJ
Abdul Kalam has the vision of India in 2020(Singh, 2006). He has the character to manipulate the ideas to
reality and have extraordinary communication skills to make the peoples understand that in an inspiring
way.
While he was a child he was curious about flying, and his passion was in the sky. Thus, he followed his
dream and was successful. Abdul Kalam is an inspiration to many youngsters because he has made them
to trust themselves and believe in their dreams. He has ignited youths mind.
Before Kalam was in the Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) in 1982, scientists working
there were very frustrated because of the unsuccessful Devil missile project. They were not satisfied with
Defense ministry of India (Dwivedi, 2006). He knew that anything is not possible without having a healthy
and trustworthy environment. Thus, he introduced many managerial techniques to accelerate the climate
to its up most point at DRDL.
He used appropriate communication and navigated correctly to all the team members so that the aim
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) is launched. As, he has mentioned Know
where you are going, The great thing in the world is not so much in knowing where we stand, as in what
direction we are moving." It was set a milestone for Missile program in India which could compete with
western world (Dwivedi, 2006).
Applications and Theories of Leadership:
The process of leading a team or organization is called leadership. Dr. Abdul Kalam get the idea to open a
science council locally called panchayat to give emotional motivation to his fellow scientist. As a leader
he confirmed that his team members were frustrated and dissatisfied. Thus he proposed to open a forum
where the issues were discussed in general and take common decisions. It helped all the scientists to
stabilize their feelings and concentrate on the work (Dwivedi, 2006).

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In 1985 the Missile Trishul was launched, it had succeeded. This accomplishment leads to the success of
pilotless test flight Target aircraft. After this, Prithivi made its launch on 1988 February 25. In the history of
space program this was a huge success. The missile agni was launched on may 22, 1989 after their hard
five years of work. This had proved the Indias development in the advance technologies (Dwivedi, 2006).
It was one of the largest achievements of Kalams team. On the republic day of 1990 Dr. Kalam received
Padma Vibhusan, which is considered as the biggest award in India. Having all the capabilities and
characteristics within, made him a best leader. His hardwork, vision, intelligence had let him to this stage
in his life. He will always be remembered among all Indians and with the whole world.
Dr. KALAMS PERSONALITY
Dr. Kalam followed a unique personality which attracted many people towards him. He had a vision of
success and his dedication made him different from other leaders. He had spent all his lives for the
enlargement of the technology and at the same time he ensured that the society is getting benefited from
his deeds. He encouraged his team when they failed in a rocket launch to not to get discouraged rather to
see it in a positive way. In one of the famous books written by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, WINGS OF FIRE, he
has mentioned a small incident which had happened to him in childhood. His mother had cooked a
particular dish for the family. Unfortunately, it got burned and mother was sad as well as afraid to present
it to his father. However, the young kalam took that dish and started eating it, he said to his mother in an
encouraging manner that he have never tasted a burned food and its tasting well. This is one of the
important qualities that a leader should possess in his life. A leader should always support his followers at
all times of difficulties and also in successful moments (Bhattacharyya et.al, 2013).
.
Everything is Possible
Dr.Abdul Kalam, Former President of India, a son of a small boat owner, from far end of the Country
reaching the heights which a person can ever reach that too only one out of a billion people. He did not
achieve it overnight but through sheer hard work, dedication and, sincerity, backed by destiny.
Leaders Ignite the minds of Others
Dr. Kalam was a destinys child. A man with nothing except curiosity and passion for flying, with wings of
fire, flew as high as he could in the sky. And, like a special satellite that orbits the Universe, he went about
his mission, igniting millions of young minds and many nations.
Leaders care, share and maintain transparency
Dr.Kalam boasted nothing but learnt as much as he can till his last breath. He kept nothing to himself but
shared with transparency and sincerity to each and every one, everything he learnt, who crossed his life
till his last breath at IIM,Shillong.

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Leaders humble themself

Such was his leadership style that Dr.Abdul Kalam's accession to power and position was just occasions
to further humble him as much possible as he can, so that the people who met him can feel stronger and
taller in their heart and life (Kalam et.al, 2009).
Dr. KALAM -TRANSFORMATION LEADER
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a transformational and admirable leader not only for the Indians but also for the
whole world. He was a role model to others. His life is like a study material from which we can experience,
how one can transform from an ordinary human being to an extra ordinary leader even in the midst of
poverty and hunger.
A leader should understand where your organisation could be in future and has to plan each steps of
journey to fulfill the aim. Dr. Kalam was a researcher and engineer .Lately he got a golden opportunity to
serve India as president from 2002-2007(Gupta et.al, 2015).
Dr Kalam had many contributions towards the development of the nation both as a president and as a
scientist. He had worked very hardly for many vigilant projects such as PROJECT DEVIL,VALIANT
PROJECT and the launch of missions ROHINI_1,AGNI AND PRITHVI.
On July 1980, when the satellite Rohini launched successfully in the sky, India became a member of the
space club. Dr Kalam along with his team had a great contribution towards this achievement.
Dr Kalam spend his life for the upliftment of the nation .He spend about 40 yrs. as a science leader at the
defence research and developmental organization ,as a research scientistand on the Indian space
research organization.
Dr APJ Abdul kalam was one of the ever honoured president of India .He had great achievement in
influencing the people specially children by his unmistakeable works and developmental projects, which
mainly centralised in the rural society.
Dr Kalams achievements are valuable experiences and driving force to the younger generation .Without
any doubt we can say that Dr Kalam was a transformational leader (Kalam et.al, 2003).

MOTIVATIONAL STRATEGY
The leadership without influence is difficult to achieve the required aims and goals. Dr. Kalam has been
very active in influencing his followers.

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Dr. Kalam always followed a clear and sound decision making skills which benefited in various ways to
accomplish the tasks. Thus the organisations and government believed in his dedication towards work.
He always gave importance for the attitude, opinions and standards in his workplaces and also in society.
His subordinates were pleased with the influence tactics of Dr. Kalam since he encouraged coming
forward and doing the progress for the assigned duties. His words were very calm and motivational as his
followers always felt honored for performing their duties and responsibilities. He is used to have a good
listening attitude as he used to hear the least team member of his group, giving a suggestion or an idea to
make the work better.
Leaders inspire others and make them dream rather than making them believe in their own dreams.
Dr.Kalam inspired millions of young hearts to dream and made them to believe in their dreams. He
wanted people to dream, to transform their dreams into thoughts that can result into actions. Dr.Kalam
envisioned a developed India that is very much a reality through strong vision.
A man of science, equally adept at designing ballistic missiles and coronary stents, nuclear devices and
tablet computers, writing computer code or poetry etc. may have made him famous and renowned.
However, when it came to leadership, Dr. Kalam trusted more on faith, humility and integrity (Kalam et.al,
2003). At the time of rocket launch mission, as a scientist he handled the pressured situations tactfully
and also did the right thing which could help him to gain the full support of his entire team members. They
never repudiated his commands and appeals. He involved his followers in the important decision making
scenarios thus showing his collaborative way of approach.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, as a president of India was an inspiration for the world leaders. His systematic and
wise approaches helped a lot for improving the Indian economy. The politicians respected Dr. Kalam for
his deeds and enthusiasm, towards leading the nation towards glory. He was really a great inspiration for
many leaders who have excelled in the field of technology and the young generation of India follows his
motivational words towards success.
SCOPES OF THE LEADERS PERSONALITY
There are different personality dimension's that always possess by a great man, APJ abdul kalam had
grown up as an eminent scholar, leader and entrepreneur with the help of five big personality dimensions
that are given below:
Sincerity
APJ Abdul Kalam is very realistic person,
Also act as a family determined person,
He born and grow up in small town of Tamil Nadu,
He had also receive several prestigious award including Bharat Ratna,

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 He had done all his job with sincerity and by honesty,

He was very passion able person towards his work, cheerful personality and very frank behaviour
with his colleagues at work, friends and family members.
Excitement
APJ Abdul Kalam did the innovative things in his life and named as Missile Man of India because of his
work in technological department in which he develop ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. He
also acts as an excitement president of India and his speech excited for listeners. With his power of
imaginations and innovative mind new trend in the construction and engineering field had been created by
him. His work is always identified by unique work and imaginative skills and he always updated his
knowledge regarding construction and new technology.
Competence
APJ Addul Kalam, in case of handling projects act as a reliable entrepreneur toward his organisation and
government of India. Moreover, he was a time oriented person and act as a hard working personality, also
all project under his circumstance finished securely. In his industrial field, he was a tuff competitor for
other engineers and has huge knowledge in technical and corporate field. So that in his career, his
personality develop as a successful and eminent leader, as a result of which other team members are
confident about him.
Sophistication
APJ Abdul Kalam dress up style is very simple and traditional.
Also his character looks charming and smooth.
Ruggedness
APJ Abdul Kalam was outdoorsy and the detection that had taken by him was very firm and tough.
ACUTE STUDY OF LEADERSHIP
Leadership performance
As we already discussed APJ Abdul kalam concentrate on his work or job in a best way. In 1903 at the
Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune, a system of automatic weir and water floodgates were designed and
patented by him. To raise the level of storage of flood supply, these gates were employed in the reservoir
to attained highest level without causing any harm and effect to the dam.
The same system was installed at the Tigra Dam in Gwalior and Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) dam in
Mysore based on the success of these gates. The idea to built up the Krishnaraja Sagara dam in
Mysore was developed by APJ Abdul kalam and was also working for that project but did not get a

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good output from that project. In able to increase the wages and reduce the cost of production in
the construction site, he thought both on the behalf of workers and manager.
Then, to make a famous his theory he decided to guide other companies and universities. He also did
not take those tools but also explained those theories as a whole philosophy. He also explained the
importance of those theories of worker, staff relationship, the training and reward of employees in
order to defend them. To make a right decision at right time key stone his approach was adopted
and put managers under new responsibilities so that they should know and understand the technical
aspects of the job. In this way he changed the process to done the job at that time and also he
motivated workers very naturally.
Style
As a best engineer, APJ Abdul Kalam received lot of compliments by the people and follower on tweeter.
He control and strict the standard of workers in his style which is explained in his biography and
achievement focus in the civil aspects of his ideas. He exhibited some democratic style and to check
those style and ideas, he organised a meeting of his hardworking workers in which they suggest some
ideas regarding the project. In addition to this he insists on workers motivation dilemma and organise
meetings to explain the importance of manager in order to solve the issues.
Furthermore, he always believes that workers are motivated with the help of manager, who is encourage
and trained them in a best way. With the help of this technique, he proved that new employees learn from
his leader experience and speech and well known about what to do or ignore what not to do.
CONCLUSION
According to APJ Abdul kalam "Remember, your work may be to sweep a railway crossing, but it is your
duty to keep it clean and tidy so that no other crossing is as clean as yours".
Sir APJ Abdul kalam inspired many people of his generation and future generation with his inspirational
quotes and speeches. All his leadership qualities and traits are mentioned in the theories which reflect a
great leader personality. He is rewarded as a respectful person in India and act as an institution in himself
for his achievements. There are un-countable leadership qualities achieve by him from his experience
and in his whole life that are honesty, confidence, commitment, psychological openness and positive
behaviour towards people. His millions of followers not only in India but also worldwide which shows that
he is a one of the best leader and engineer because of his ability and leadership qualities.

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Refrences:
Abdul Kalam, A.P.J., 2007, January. Energy independence and plant and earth. In Inaugural address on
94th Indian Science Congress. Annamalai University, Chidambaram, January (Vol. 5, p. 3).
Abdul Kalam, A.P.J. and Tiwari, A., 1999. Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APf Abdul Kalam.
"Address by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India", 2012, Nursing Journal of India, vol. 103, no.
4, pp. 5.
Bhattacharyya, K.K., 2013. Science Communication As A Tool For Development. Global Media Journal
Indian Edition.
Dwivedi, R.S., 2006. Visionary Leadership: A Survey of Literature and Case Study of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
at Drdl. Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective, 10(3), pp.11-21.
Gupta, H.K. 2015, "A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (19322015): My interactions with him and his love for Earth
Sciences", Journal of the Geological Society of India, vol. 86, no. 3, pp. 249-252.
Kalam, A P J Abdul 2009, "Address by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam during the inaugural function of Centenary
Conference of the Trained Nurses' Association of India, Mumbai", The Nursing journal of India, vol. 100,
no. 1, pp. 3.
Kalam, A.A., 2003. Ignited minds: unleashing the power within India. Penguin Books India.
Kalam, A.A., 2003. IT strategy in defence environment. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information
Technology, 20(1&2).
Singh, Y.P., 2006. Indian Villages 2020 (in 2 Volumes) vision And Mission (vol. 1) strategies And
Suggested Development Models (Vol. 2). Concept Publishing Company.

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