An ineffective leader. Review on Saurav Ganguly

Disclaimer: This review is not intended to bash Saurav Ganguly the person, but to evaluate his leadership skills.

I have been away from active cricket reading / viewing for the last 10 years. The recently concluded world cup fever did get hold of me and I willingly paid $80 to watch the finals via the satellite. Irrespective of the result, I enjoyed watching the game. The game was won by a far superior team who had the winning attitude.

This review is about the leadership qualities of India’s captain – Saurav Ganguly.. I am not knowledgeable about his previous exploits on the field. This review is based on watching about 7 hours of the world cup finals and the application of basic management principles.

Saurav Ganguly is not an effective leader.

Let us examine three factors for an effective leader. (Though there are several factors that make a good leader, I have selected three, to present my views).

# 1. Decision Making

A good leader makes sound decisions – they may be wrong. The decisions are based on facts and knowledge about the situation and not based on emotions, superstitions etc. Having won the toss and with a weather forecast of rain, his decision to field looked more of a “gut” decision. I am not here to do a post-mortem or a “what-if” situation – it will be a futile exercise and will not change the result of the match - but even before the first ball was bowled, it was apparent that is was an error prone decision.

# 2. Lead by Example

A leader sets a personal example to his team.

His “cocky” grin gives a false sense of aggression. Several instances where he did not exhibit ''leading by example'' like qualities:

* The incident where he tried to scoop the ball from the ground and then make a confident appeal for catch was in a very poor taste. Did he not realize the magnitude of the game ? – the finals of the world cup. This gesture was in poor taste and may have had some influence on the youngsters in the team.

* During his batting, he was throwing all caution to the winds. There was a perception of recklessness and a sense of gay abandon. Maybe that was the strategy in the dressing room but one gets the feeling he was determined to just keep hitting and hitting and hitting. I am sure the Australian bowlers must have wondered why is this guy hell bent on committing hara-kiri.

* The overall posture of the Indian team members on the fields was pathetic – whenever the cameras were focused on them. At one stage, could see the three slip fielders – casually slouching with hands in their pockets during a crucial stage in the game. Saurav himself was busy adjusting some jewellery around his neck and grinning stupidly.

# 3. Provides Guidance

A leader constantly provides guidance to the team, especially in dire situations. During India’s bowling, when the young bowlers who were bowling their heart out were wayward in their line of attack, I did not notice the captain trying to have conversations with them and providing them guidance or encouraging. Same would be applicable during critical field placements. It looked as if they were just going through the motions.

I have tried to express some of my thoughts while writing this review. The intention is not to hurt anybody’s feelings who adore Saurav and are his strong supporters.

Saurav may be a talented cricketer, an excellent sportsman and a good person but if he had come to me seeking for a job requiring leadership skills on Sunday with the cricket match as his resume, I would have rejected him.

I am not asking for him to step down or be dropped. As I said, I am not in any position to do so – all I am saying is we have a bunch of young and dedicated cricketers who need a good, able and effective leader to help them achieve cricketing glories. As a cricket loving nation, we owe it to them.

Keep it up, the men in blue. You have played well and should be proud of yourselves.