The Inspiration of "Gandhi"

The life of Mohandas K. Gandhi, the leader of the nonviolent resistance movement in India that eventually won independence from British rule, is one of the most compelling leadership stories of the 20th century, and it's one that should be studied by every serious student of leadership.

Gandhi, the 1982 multiple Oscar-winning film biography directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Ben Kingsley in the title role, spans about 55 years of Gandhi's life, giving the viewer as accurate a sense of his metamorphosis from unknown lawyer to international leader as any three-hour film can.

While it is a grand and sweeping film, it is also able to vividly capture the intimate personal struggles and triumphs in Gandhi's life. The film reminds us that leadership is not reserved for only a few generals, senators, prime ministers, presidents, or CEOs. Leadership can also emerge from someone who is, as Gandhi himself put it, "the change you want to see in the world."

By Jim Kouzes

 |  February 17, 2009; 12:08 PM ET
Category:  Pop culture
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