KEY TO LEADERSHIP IS SETTING AN EXAMPLE - CHANAKYA
Sharad Puranik
Name of Paper: Times of India (MUMBAI MIRROR)
4th Aug 08 (Page 21)
KEY TO LEADERSHIP IS SETTING AN EXAMPLE
FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW
- Radhakrishnan 'Chanakya' Pillai
(This weekly column will bring out the relevance of Kautilya's Arthashastra in today's corporate world)
Being an expert in political science and even statesmanship, Chanakya emphasised the importance of discipline in a governance system. However, he also knew that the ministers and bureaucrats would have to follow the rules themselves.
Therefore, Chanakya had said:
"The Administrator and the magistrates should first keep in check the heads of departments and their subordinates" (3.18.1)
Let us see why this is necessary and how it applies in our offices and organisations:
DISCIPLINE STARTS FROM TOP
If you are the boss, you are the sole rule-maker. But then you should be the first follower of any rule. One cannot set policies and just insist that others follow it. Discipline starts with you. When you become self-disciplined, others also get disciplined automatically.
LEADERS ARE FOLLOWED
A leader's position is a very critical and sensitive one. Your subordinates do not just do what you say – they follow your every action! You are always observed minutely by people around you.
If the leader is highly enthusiastic, the subordinates will also be enthusiastic. If the leader is lazy and slack in doing his duties, so will be his subordinates.
The same thought had been brought out in the Geeta when Lord Krishna said: "Whatever standard the leader sets, others follow." So set high standards, and make sure you follow it yourself.
AN 'UNFORGIVABLE' MISTAKE
Always remember one thing: Small mistakes are not small if committed by people at the top rung of an organisation. That's because such actions impact the entire organisation.
Chanakya went to the extent of stating that if a common man commits a mistake, the punishment is one unit (like one year). But if the same mistake is committed by the leader, the punishment is four units
.
This is because – at the leadership position – it becomes a mistake of the group. Hence, a leader should think twice before taking any decision
A leader with a vision is the prime requirement of any good company, organisation or society. The next step is to make his visions a reality.
This happens through hard work and the ability to take others along with you in a spirit of dedication to the eventual goal. And all this comes through self-discipline.
(The author is a 'strategic leadership' trainer and consultant and also the Director of SPM Foundation, the vision of which is to bring back ancient Indian knowledge in modern day applications. Can be contacted at rchanak...@gmail.com)