Aung San Suu Kyi: A Transformational Leader and A Symbol of Hope Essay Example

her recent address to the House of Commons at Westminster Hall, she seeks foreign investment to support the democratic reform process (Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2012). As a Buddhist, ASSK draws inspiration from her religious beliefs of peaceful reflection and also from Dalai Lama, who is the Buddhist spiritual leader of Tibet (The Economist 2012). Her non-confrontational leadership styles are also influenced by Nelson Mandela, who has fought against apartheid in South Africa, and Mahatma Gandhi, who has fought for India's independence.

Gandhi once said “I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. ” The Road Ahead Lao-Tzu, the famous Chinese philosopher, once said, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. The NLD victory has certainly put ASSK and her party one step closer to democracy and freedom for her people. It is paramount for Burma to receive international community support towards the establishment of a truly democratic and just society (Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2012). There are important lessons for us and even world leaders to learn from ASSK.

She has shown us that we can resolve differences through non-violent approaches. Some think that only a gun can defeat another gun, but she believes that education, calm determination, and the truth will set everyone free and a better world for all of us (Ball 2004). She has taught us to treasure the democracy we enjoy and not to take freedom for granted; something which the Burmese would yearn to have. ASSK once famously said, “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of

losing power corrupts those who wield it”. Indeed, the fear of losing power by former rulers such as Gaddafi and Mubarak has caused their downfall.

Many innocent lives were also lost in the leadership transition. More recently, we also witness the Syrian uprising where thousands of lives were lost as protesters demanded an end to five decades of Ba’ath Party rule. ASSK is not just a symbol of hope for the people of Burma; she is an inspiration to millions worldwide for her full-hearted devotion to fighting for democracy, freedom, and justice. (Word Count = 659)

References:

1. Ball, H. (2004) Great Women Leaders – The Women’s Hall of Fame Series. Second Story Press. Toronto, Canada.
2. Bass, B. M., and Bass, R. (2008). The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial Application. th ed. New York Free Press
3. Bass, B. M. and Avolio, B. J. (1994). Improving Organizational Effectiveness Through Transformational Leadership. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. BBC News Asia. (2012).
4. Burma poll: Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD sweeps by-elections.  Available from: http://www. bbc. co. uk/news/world-asia-17588313Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2012).
5. Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at Westminster Hall  Available from http://www. fco. gov. uk/en/news/latest-news/? view=Speech;id=778619482 Rueters (2010).