"Unlike great thinkers and great artists, the most effective political leaders must often yield to public opinion and abandon principle for the sake of compromise."
An opinion has been expressed that effective political leadership builds with yielding to public opinions and abandoning principles for the sake of compromise in order to improve the leaders image in the society as whole. In my opinion that is a very exaggerated view since effective political leadership depends on the way you yield to public opinions without endagering the well being of the nation.
Compromising of self set principles is a common practice which is observed by almost all the political leaders in the world. This has been taking place for years. Politicians have to yield to public demands since they have to maintain their place as well as increase their power.
Public opinions and demands vary depending upon several circumstances e.g. economic downfalls, unemployement rates, social problems,etc. But, the effectiveness of the leader is evident by the actions he takes in shaping the society and the vision he keeps in his mind to achieve it. The leader should stick to his principles when the situation is demanding. The recent example which i would like to cite is that of the unrest in Egypt. The increase in unemployement rates and the ignorance of the president towards the needs of the egyptian people lead to unruly masses gathering protest against the president and demanding his immediate removal. Effective leadership depends on the kind of vision you keep in mind and the serious steps you take in order to make it happen. The stern steps that a leader takes during demanding and crucial circumstances distinguishes him from the ordinary. In India, Indira Gandhi, the former Prime minister had very well used her political leadership skills by yielding to the demands of the people of then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) by providing them support as well as economic help. This resulted in the indirect weakening of the Pakistani army during the war.
It is also equally important to know as to which public demands and opinions should be supported and which opinions should be refuted.