A Good Leader Uses mind and intellect - Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha.
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Monday, November 28, 2022. 06:00.
A Good Leader Uses mind and intellect - Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha.
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Humans are always led by their mind, which in turn, needs guidance from intelligence. Intelligence is the only agency to act on the mind, eliminating undesirable traits and imbuing emotional strength, stability and poise. A close integration of mind and intelligence is what makes a good leader, who should excel in leading the mind and intelligence of his team. In public administration, corporate management, manufacturing, defence, education, sports, household or any other field, sterling leadership qualities are indispensable.
Dedication, competence and welfare of people, which determine the enrichment and growth of a nation, verily rest upon enlightened leadership. Using intelligence as the tool, but fostering no special fondness or dislike for any in particular, the leader should embrace all alike. He should display sufficient equalness and inclusiveness, evoking participatory response from the rest. Everyone should think of his profession in the larger social, national and global perspective. Productivity of any professional is a contribution to the societal pool. Unless people avail of products and services thus generated, of what relevance and utility will such production be? A manager endowed with exemplary leadership should discuss the subject with his team to generate full-fold understanding in them.
Only then will the mind shed its constrictions, and imbibe wider dimensions. Home and workplace are complementary. Both should be viewed as equally relevant. To be devoted at home, but not so at work, is a dichotomy, enfeebling domestic and professional fronts alike. An enlightened view does not approve of remuneration as the major persuasion to work. Productivity of any employee caters to society, employee families being its constituents. To benefit society is to enrich them as well.
All public systems — roads, schools, colleges, research centres, hospitals, ports — are for the use of all. Many public organisations cater to one segment or another of these. Their employees should derive special satisfaction that their efforts are vital to society’s welfare and advancement. To enable such collective societal identity, special discussions or courses should be held exposing the societal nature of corporate endeavour. An exemplary leader is concerned more with sustainable growth, beneficial to society at large.
He is averse to superficial display and short-term benefits. Cherishing integrity himself, he instils it around. Vikramaditya, an illustrious king of the fifth century, had nine reputed scholars as advisers. Their enlightened, impartial, impersonal discussions moulded the king’s insight and resolve every time. Was it not like the present brainstorming sessions? Vikamaditya ruled well, to the fulfilment and esteem of his subjects. The Bhagwad Gita illustrates the marvellous effect of true leadership. Even after 13 years of austere preparation, Arjuna crumbled in the battlefield, saying he would not fight the unrighteous war.
Krishna disapproved of this, terming it dishonourable and derogatory. Arjuna, though stunned, reflected, seeking necessary clarity and courage from Krishna. Their dialogue runs into 18 chapters of the Mahabharata, a historical document written about the decline and fall of the Kuru empire. Four-and-a-half million warriors were looking mainly for Arjuna’s resolve. How immensely sensitive was the occasion, how consequential was the mission Krishna fulfilled. Krishna’s initial 22 words wiped Arjuna’s tears. Becoming vibrant, Partha put specific questions before Krishna. An enlightened leader’s articulation redresses mind’s resistance and clears intellect’s confusion. This is how a leader steers the mind and intelligence of those around him. ■
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