Leadership Qualities of Mother Teresa

If not for her leadership qualities the Albania born Mother Teresa would not have risen to great heights to win the hearts of the millions of people worldwide. She served the poor, orphaned and dying people for more than forty five years and never ever was tired of her service. When the people affected with leprosy were considered as untouchables, she extended her service to them and cared for them by starting many homes.

When she started her missionary work she had only three saris and a five rupee note in her hand. She proved to the world that one can achieve anything in this world even without money. When she saw orphan children dying out of hunger she went to a bakery man and begged him to give some bread. The enraged man spit on her hand. But Mother Teresa told him softly that she would keep the spit for herself and begged him to give something to eat for the poor and orphaned children holding out her other hand. The man realized her gentle character and later donated her with bread whenever she needed. This incident shows her magnanimity, one of the wonderful leadership qualities in her.

She was very simple and humble that she never cared for her own comforts. The sari she wore costs only one US dollar. The white sari with blue border has become a symbol of peace and solace to the poor and destitute. She knew very well that if she should heal other people she must suffer herself and this was what she stated to Princess Diana once when she met her. She took initiatives during a famine in Ethiopia, spread the message to the then US President Ronald Reagan and he sent his help to the place with food and medicine.

Mother Teresa was very humble and never cared about her own image, a rare quality that could hardly be seen in any leader around the world. Whenever she happened to travel in flights, she used to collect the leftover food from all the travelers on the plane and distributed the collected food to the hungry and needy people. Though she had no money many times, she never hesitated to beg to help people.

She was extremely courageous in helping people suffering from leprosy. She never was tired in helping the refugees, blind, homeless, flood and famine victims and lepers. The poor and forlorn people were brought to the homes and they were given medical attention. They were given an opportunity to die with dignity and during their last moments, the Muslims were read the verses from Quran, the Hindus received holy water from the Ganges and the Christians received the Last Rites. Though she was a Christian, this is just enough to portray the best leadership quality of generosity in her.

 After her death on 5^th September 1997 she has been memorialized through museums, educational institutions, films on her life, Mother Teresa photos and Mother Teresa videos. Though this world lost a great leader, she left thousands of followers to spread her message and take up her service.