Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of humans. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant?

An attitude is a learned tendency to evaluate people, issues, objects or events in a certain way. It plays an important role in the development of every human. Fortitude, Probity, Leadership etc are some of the attributes of a suitable attitude for a public servant. 

There are mainly three stages of building a suitable attitude:

1. Identification: It is utmost important to identify and understand attitude requirements for the public servants.

2. Compliance: there is a need for a systemic mechanism for compliance to inculcate a suitable attitude. It includes codes of conduct and ethics, training, monitoring and evaluation, etc.

3. Internalization: it is a time taking process. With consistent compliance one internalizes the required attitude over the period of time.

All the three stages of attitude building can be perfectly seen in armed forces and young IPS personnel.

Methods of building attitude:

1. Persuasion: Logos (logic), Ethos (ethics/credibility) and Pathos (emotions) are the three successful ways of persuading to build required attitude.

2. Classical Condition: Through it, stimulus such as fear, pleasure or pride can be used to instil the required attitude.

3. Role model approach: The most effective method of attitude building. Icons such as A PJ Abdul Kalam, TN Seshan, and Ashok Khemka inspire and motivate many public servants.

Public servants are also human beings, their thoughts and behaviour affect their duty towards people. Hence it is important to shape and build an attitude required for serving in the public interest.