Leadership lessons from Rama - Part 2

            Rama is an infinite reservoir of divine and leadership qualities. We dived into this ocean and fished out some pearls to enhance our leadership understanding and practice as we saw in Leadership lessons from Rama – Part 1. This exercise will be futile if we try to extract all the great qualities in Rama, but we are merely mapping the popular leadership qualities marketed in this genre, via books and speakers. Whatever best quality that makes up to the top of this list, we find it in abundance in Rama. The insight continues.

Communications: Rama exhibits extraordinary communication skills – smita poorvabhi bhashi (smiles before speaking), poorva bhashi (initiates the communication), mita bhashi (measured and limited in speaking), madhura bhashi (speaks sweetly) and priyamvada (uses kind words to communicate). Rama’s communication skills deserve a separate blog. His communications keep the larger good in mind. When he was leaving Ayodhya, he instructed minister Sumantra to hasten the exit as the prolonging pain of watching a slow misery in progress is more excruciating. When Rama asked Lakshmana to check up on Sugriva on the delay, he senses Lakshmana bubbling with rage by combining his personal emotions with Rama’s message. He tones down the message, so Lakshmana will keep his focus on the proper message. Rama did not treat Hanuman’s spy mission as a proper communication to Ravana and hence sends Angada before the war as a messenger. Rama ensures that Hanuman have his personal ring with his insignia so Sita can be convinced. Even though Hanuman is perhaps the most outstanding communicator in Rama’s eyes, he understood the dynamics and emotions of Sita.

            Rama gives us wondrous insights into the art of communication. The message is always packaged with and around good intentions, kind words and proper etiquette. This ensures that the message is not lost due to improper signaling from the packaging or its carrier. As a leader one must bear in mind the methods and mode of communication, its impact on the target audience, their mindset in absorbing the same and most importantly the genuine intentions behind the message.

Truthfulness: Satya is more than not speaking lies. It emanates from the deepest thoughts expressed as words and finally manifests as actions. Rama was the epitome of Satya. Harischandra is the golden standard, yet Rama measures up to this example and beyond. To protect and uphold his father Dasaratha’s words, he volunteers to go on an exile for fourteen years. Rama’s entire life is a celebration of Satya, on which Dharma is upheld.

            Following Rama’s very high standards is literally impossible for mere mortals like us, but such a lofty example continues to inspire us and uplift us with such aspiration.

Listen to others: Rama is renowned for listening to every side of the argument. He listens to Kaikeyi’s logic and understands that she was well within her rights, however cruel it may be. He tries to reason out Sita and Lakshmana from joining him, but also listens to the subtlety in their arguments and changes his position. He listens to the teachings of all the Rishis. Rama listens to Sugriva’s fears and demonstrates his prowess to raise his confidence. He listens to Vibhishana’s request to surrender, despite him being his primary enemy’s brother; even as all the Vanara leaders oppose with the sole exception of Hanuman who argues in Vibhishana’s favor. Rama sends Angada to Ravana before the war, trying to convince him in releasing Sita on any terms.

            Listening is a very important leadership skill. It not only informs us of others’ viewpoint, but also makes them feel important. Listening is always understood as active listening, with a keen intent and attention on the speaker. Listening helps us understand the situation better, to analyze the options in front and arrive at proper conclusions. Rama sets the mark in proper listening.

Delegation: Rama is a master team leader. He demonstrates proper identifying and delegating of tasks to his team members. Even during the battle with Tataka, Rama gives clear instructions to Lakshmana, which is a feature seen in all battles that follow with Viraadha, Kabandha, Khara-Dhushana or with Ravana. He gives Hanuman a clear mission to search for Sita though the entire army marches southwards. Rama’s delegating skills are visible not merely in battlefield, but also during peace time.

            The ability of a leader to identify proper tasks and matching it with proper resource, giving them the right expectations and guidance on completing the task is paramount.

Humility: Rama is the personification of humility. Despite his knowledge, he regularly submitted himself to listen to the words of the Rishis, whom he sought out proactively. Even while living in the forest, his regular activities included such visits. Rama also patiently let the Devatas do their role, rather than prevail upon them. We see this during his patient payer of Sagara who responded only when he was threatened with dire consequences.

            Humility is an expression of knowledge and character. The servant leadership relies on humility, rather than using the position to enforce ideas. Humility of the leader influences more positively than aggressive showdown of power.

Focus on Dharma (standards): Mareecha, Rama’s adversary, perhaps gives us the best insight into Rama’s strict adherence of Dharma. He opines that if all the Dharma in the Prapancha were to coalesce into a human form, it would appear as Rama. Rama strives to uphold Dharma and repeatedly makes statements to the same effect. On occasion, he even declares he might give up Sita or Lakshmana, but never on Dharma. He demonstrates every role to the perfection by being the best friend to Guha, Sugriva, Vibhishana; the best husband to Sita; the best possible brother to Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna; the best King to Ayodhya and so on. Rama demonstrates Dharma to his opponents on battlefield – Viradha, Kabanda, Akampana, Vaali, Mareecha and others. Interestingly his non combative female opponents – Shoorpanaka, Tara and Mandodari also perceive his actions as Dharmic. Even his seemingly controversial action like Vaali vadam is fraught with subtle Dharma.

            Dharma is the essence of human evolution and making it as the bedrock of our existence allows us to achieve our highest potential.

Empathy: Rama displays empathy to one and all. He understands the pain of separation will linger longer if his Ayodhya exit was too slow. He is able to even reason out Kaikeyi’s selfish request empathetically. He puts the other person’s feelings, reasoning and actions as a key part of his response. Rama is able to empathize with Sita, Lakshmana and Kausalya who all want to join his exile. In all his relationships, he tries to understand from other’s shoes. He tones down his message to Sugriva through Lakshmana, when he understood Lakshmana more agitated by adding his anger with Rama’s fury. Similarly, when every vanara except Hanuman reject Vibhishana, he takes pain to explain his point of view, so the vanaras accept his position with clarity.

            Empathy is an important quality that allows the leader to realize others situation. Situational awareness is critical for a leader. It allows them to not only be perceptional but allows proper response calibration by connecting with the actual feelings of the followers. This connect is crucial to make the pull.

Ability to teach: Rama is not only a great student, but also a wonderful teacher. It is evident everytime he takes time to talk more than few words, be it for his mother Kausalya or his wife Sita or brother Lakshmana. He takes time to establish his line of thinking after understanding all the opponents’ arguments. We see this evident the way he demolishes Jaabali’s materialist arguments and Vaali’s powerful logical set of questions. Rama’s teaching side is perhaps most visible when he drops all war preparations, when Vibhishana wanted to do Saranagati. The vanaras including Sugriva vociferously oppose his inclusion into the camp. Rama takes time to educate Sugriva on the Saranagati dharma, through stories. The irony cannot be lost.

            A great leader is also a great teacher. Sometimes the lessons may be obvious through a personal example, but becomes more useful when the leader explains in a simple, coherent way. The effectiveness to communicate the message undiluted gives a definite leadership edge.

Fairness: Rama displays extreme fairness, even if it be indirectly warning Vaali in the first battle with Sugriva or the way he lets Shoorpanaka alive, despite her attempt to kill Sita. He gives Mareecha two chances to reform. Though Hanuman had already communicated with Ravana as an unofficial ambassador, he still tries peace by sending Angada. Rama gives the benefit of doubt to the procrastinating Sugriva. He even tolerates Jaabali’s materialism arguments on account of Vasishta’s interference.

            A good leader is fair in his outlook, tolerates others limitations with grace, yet tries to build them up by reposing confidence in them.

Kindness: Rama’s kindness stems from deep empathy, his listening skills and his strong, unwavering commitment to Dharma. We see it the way he gives fourteen years of salary to his staff in his palace or the way he wanted to mitigate the misery by asking Sumantra to hasten the exit. It is also evident the way he urgently relocates from Chitrakoota to Panchavati, to minimize traffic from Ayodhya. The loss of Jatayu in a Dharmic war moves Rama more than the loss of Sita. When Indra asks Rama to seek a boon, he heals all the injured and revives all the dead vanaras. In short, Rama is the personification of Kindness – Karunamoorthi.

            A great leader always exudes kindness. It comes from a reasoning and understanding of the followers’ position. Kindness comes from the realization that all may not be able to see or reach out the same way, a leader’s position may.

Sense of urgency: Rama shows this character in his need to find Sita quickly, as she may be in grave danger. As each phase progresses from bonding a friendship with Sugriva to sending a search party in all directions to building a bridge or even the war, the urgency becomes more dominant. It reaches its crescendo when Rama is enacting the Agnipariksha episode to hasten a solution for Bharata and also return to him immediately. Not content with it, he sends Hanuman on a critical mission to give his arrival news ahead and save Bharata.

            Many projects are time sensitive. A leader communicates this by building a sense of urgency. This rallies his troops and keeps a sense of intense focus on the tasks on hand. Whether in corporate or government or military, one can see this crucial leadership character at play that makes the difference between great and mediocre; even life and death.

Enjoy the ride: Rama was content at every level. There was no difference between his coronation announcement and his exile. The way he quickly settled down in Chitrakoota and Panchavati and also made Sita feel is a great mark of leadership. The demands were not driven by desire, but quick adaptation to what was available. Rama never perceived the difference between the palace and the forest. Yet, he made the best use of the resources available. While lamenting about Sita’s loss, many instances of the fun experiences he shared with her gets remembered.

            A great leader knows smelling the roses along the way are crucial, rather than always being serious. Lighter moments of the leader provide insight into the multi faceted personality, but also make the leader relatable. Being relatable increases the leader’s sphere of influence.

Patience: Rama is extremely patient. He always allows the other person ample time to make their case. Despite giving their chance, he always stays grounded in Dharma. He is patient with Kaikeyi, even tries to defend her name whenever Lakshmana or someone tries to exude outrage. Rama patiently demonstrates his skills to the doubtful and fearful Sugriva. When he violates the agreed upon terms to send a scouting team, Rama understands the monsoon season and even Sugriva’s inclination to enjoyment patiently.

            Patience is a great leadership virtue. Patience allows new solutions to evolve and also tolerate different unexpected situations. Patience adds to the aura of the leader as it enhances the reach to the followers.

Accountability and reliability: Rama is rooted very deeply in Dharma. This makes him and his reactions very predictable. When Dasaratha was cornered by Kaikeyi, it was not surprising to see Rama was adamantly volunteering to uphold the boons. Though he was a child, Vishwamitra was able to rely on his prowess. When Rama gave his word, he maintained it at any cost. He often repeated that he may even sacrifice Sita or Lakshmana, but never Dharma. Though Vaali’s killing is easily misunderstood, but it is steeped in Dharmic grounding. Rama’s accountability gave confidence to Sugriva who was thoroughly thrashed earlier by Vaali. Rama’s dharma adherence inspires Vibhishana to see the divinity in Rama and leads to his Saranagati. Rama even coronates Vibhishana as the next Lankan ruler, ahead of the war.

            Great leadership is defined as being accountable. An unreliable person may be in a leadership position, but loses the ability to influence rapidly. Leadership is dependability.

Integrity: This is purely correlated with Dharma adherence. Rama is the epitome of Dharma. Numerous instances highlight his commitment to integrity. This may be akin to the above accountability and reliability, but the crucial difference being Dharma connection.

            A good leader becomes a great one by upholding integrity. Commitment to values and morals amplifies the depth of the message a leader stands for.  Leadership devoid of integrity leads to spectacular collapse of the position or catastrophic consequences for the followers following an Adharmic path.

Decision making skill: Rama demonstrates extraordinary ability to make good decisions. His Dharma grounding definitely serves this cause, yet additional skills like good listening ability and question unbiased to raise his information base augments his decision making skills. To constantly keep his dharma connection, Rama sets the standard by surrounding himself with Rishis. This goes on to demonstrate that we all need a constant source of elevated thoughts and inspiration from Satsangha. The decision making skill is a mere expression of all the associated skills. Rama is firm in his resolve to uphold Dasaratha’s words and refuses to go back even when Bharata and all the citizens including his guru Vasishta plead for his early return. We see this decision making skill at every turn in Ramayana.

            The ability to arrive at a good decision, quickly and remain firm in its implementation is the hallmark of a good leader. Leadership relies on the vision of the leader. Decisions are the practical expressions of such a vision.

Equanimity: Rama treated everyone with same great respect. He did not favor one over the other. His respect was grounded in the vision of seeing the Atma in everyone, not the body that clothed it. We see him paying his last respects to Jatayu, as if it was his own father. We do not see such an amazing feat before or since. Source of truth and information was also treated equally, be it from Kabandha or Hanuman. Rama subjected everyone to the same elevated Dharma standards, which gave him the conviction and right to punish powerful Vaali. He did not see any differences in the source of love. He accepted the boatsman Guha, bhakta Sabari, oppressed Sugriva, and surrendering Vibhishana equally with love.

            Good leadership demands that distinctions of rank and position be not a barrier for influence. This comes only when the leader treats the rank and file the same with respect and love.

Interested in feedback: Rama strived hard to seek others inputs and opinions, instead of prevailing over others with his superior intellect or dharma understanding. Rama listened patiently to the concerns of Kausalya, Sita and Lakshmana. He was nimble enough to factor the feedback and process it against a dharma background. It did not matter if the arguments were loaded like with Jaabali or trying to listen to the dying words of Jatayu, Rama was a master listener. We see this repeatedly when he tries to seek the counsel on the options before marching to Lanka or building the bridge. He even took every vanara leader’s opinion before speaking up for Vibhishana saranagati. Even in the case of Ravana, he sent Angada as a special messenger, when Hanuman had already given the same message. On battlefield, he gave Ravana a chance to ponder after the loss in his very first encounter.

            Feedback is very crucial for leadership. Listening to the subtle messages allows for course correction, fine-tuning the message or gauge the effectiveness. Any project without a proper feedback processing is doomed for disaster.

Self reliance and confidence: Rama was always grounded in his own strength. He never rushed to show his prowess. Even for Tataka or Mareecha he uses low grade arrows till Vishwamitra sounds the warning. The same is true when he used a relatively weak arrow for Vaali. Being grounded in Dharma and his strength gave him the calm nerves to handle any situation. The situation may be a violent response of Khara and his army or the lustful attack of Shoorpanaka. This calmness rooted in his strength gets tested facing the almost endless troops of Ravana. For our sake, he shows the way that when one’s confidence is shaken, it is very uphill climb. Aditya Hridayam by Agastyamuni only highlights the need for Satsangha to keep our batteries charged. The same is true for tapping the internal resources to build a bridge to Lanka.

            Self reliance and confidence are vital qualities for any leader. Being resourceful comes only for a calm, collected mind. This also requires in understanding one’s real strengths and also assessing the situation faced in an unbiased manner. Intelligent repurposing of the resources available constitutes an important element in the self confidence. Continuous association with the right subject matter experts expands the horizons.

Character: Rama’s character is still the role model for all of us. He is Maryada Purushotama. The people of Ayodhya had a great insight into his character as he was eagerly watched and projected as the next King. Rama kept close association with Rishis that kept him always grounded in Dharma vichara. Whatever role he played he was the best example. As a son, brother, husband, friend, ruler and even under duress he exudes the highest character.

            Character is crucial for every person and a must for leaders. As leaders project their influence over the masses, they amplify whatever they stand for. Thus, being a good character casts a wonderful role model for the society.

Shastra commitment: Rama was all the time engaged in discussions with the Rishis. He spent a lot of time imbibing the best and the remaining time living by the nectarine wisdom he had absorbed. The long list of Rishis Rama seeks out is impressive though after his coronation many seek him. This teaches us a crucial message that a good leader seeks the knowledge and wisdom, rather than waiting to be given on a platter. This allowed Rama to have cutting edge Dharmic thoughts.

            A good leader has to have dharma connection. This does not come from personality worship or cult leader following for new age babas. This wisdom comes only when there is a connection to the ancient rishis wisdom through Itihasapuranas, Upanishads, Gita, and Vedas.

            Nama Ramayana sings the glory of Ramayana, highlights the qualities of Rama as infinite – aganita gunagaana bhushita Ram. As we gathered in this analysis, we fail to appreciate Rama and Ramayana from a practical perspective, lost in the overhyped western narrative. Yet if we take the same lens to dig deeper, our Itihasapuranas are brimming with wondrous information to elevate our lives in all aspects. It is imperative for us study our Itihasapuranas with a stated objective of applying it in our daily lives. This creates the unique opportunity to ease into the subtler deeper dharmic ideas that will eventually lead us to mokshamarga.

 

ॐ तत् सत

Leadership lessons from Rama - Part 1

             New ageism is a marketing ploy to rebrand all the ancient wisdom with attractive monikers for a modern crowd. For the last hundred years, a new genre of self help books promise us to teach solutions that can fix anything. One of the prominent sub-genres is Leadership that teaches how to develop these qualities. Many great historical leaders are extolled for specific qualities. Books sell like hot cakes making lots of money for these speakers and authors. They list numerous qualities, but hardly find more than a few in any personality, including their own favorite character, Jesus. Even the so called Leadership Guru John Maxwell hardly lists the same personality as example for the laundry list of leadership traits.

            Ignorance of Rama can be an excuse for all these myopic western authors, but willful ignorance and deep Tamas of Hindus is the only reason why we cannot see all the prominently marketed leadership qualities are present in abundance in one personality, Rama. Valmiki has repeatedly and extensively elaborated Rama’s wondrous qualities in numerous places. In Bright sun on a full moon night we saw Valmiki’s perspective of Rama’s extraordinary Gunas. In Rama’s living guide to happy relationships, we reveled in the wondrous relationships of Rama and its lessons for ours. The modern Hindu has been repeatedly shamed for knowing the Itihasapuranas. Worse yet spurious versions are marketed via different media clouding our understanding. So let us take a reverse approach by listing the most prominent leadership qualities and inspect Rama to see if he is exemplary in these traits.

Prominent Leadership qualities: The highly marketed Leadership traits will be analyzed one by one with Rama and Ramayana incidents as the backdrop. These qualities definitely make a person to exert a positive influence by creating a strong pull through great character. As the list is long, we will see this article in multiple parts. The traits are not listed in any order.

Likability: Rama was liked by one and all. The citizens of Ayodhya unanimously wanted Rama as their next ruler. They were ready to renounce their beloved abode and go after him to the forest. Needless to talk of the love his family had for him. He was very dear to the Rishis who understood that his mere darshan was far better than all the years of Sadhana. He was so endearing to even his opponents – male and female. The best example is of Shoorpanaka, who despite getting her nose chopped was spellbound while describing Rama to Khara. It is said his form was so likable but also dharma inducing. Ravana wanted to take his form and trick Sita, but Rama’s form gave him only good thoughts.

            A leader must have a likable personality. This comes not from a superficial act but from deep within. Again having only charisma alone is not the index of likability, it comes from the character.

Organization: RamaRajya is still the golden standard for how to govern. Rama adapts quickly to the resources available. He commands the meager resources available in the forest towards his cause. He is careful not to overexploit the forest resources. He understands the need for strong rule in his absence, hence guides Bharata to be the caretaker in his absence. With Ayodhya in safe hands, his focus shifts to his Avatara prayojana after Sita gets kidnapped. He strengthens his side by tapping the strengths of Sugriva, after empowering him first. Rama taps the right resource, Hanuman, for the search mission. Even during the phase of building a bridge, appropriate resources – Nala and Nila are given the monumental task. The war phase sees his military deployment skills. Rama’s organization skills come to the fore, once his rule is restored. It was obvious from the way he deployed his brothers, ministers and whatever resource came his way to the benefit of his citizens and uplifting Dharma.

            Organizing skills are an important expression of leadership. The ability to delegate is one dimension of organizing. Rama puts Dharma at the real foundation of the society and individual, thus encouraging organizing inside out.

Lead by example: Rama sets the dharma standard so high that even his mortal enemy, Mareecha, is referring as “ramo vigrahavan dharmah”. He remains the standard for every positive trait, be it courage or kindness or honesty or diplomacy. In every situation Rama strives his best to adhere to dharma to the best possible extent. He is the role model for every role he plays – as a son, brother, husband, ruler, friend and even a warrior.

            Being the best and leading from the front is not an easy task. It becomes easier for the leader to lead by example. The standards set by the leader inspire the followers to raise their standards as well.

Time Management: Rama is a stickler for time. During Tatakavada, Vishwamitra mentions that her strength will multiply after dusk. Rama immediately gets the message and goes for the kill. When Kaikeyi mentions Dasaratha’s predicament due to his boons, he immediately sets out for the forest. The longer he lingered around, the risk of a revolution and also increased misery for everyone was growing exponentially. Similarly, he understands the longer his stay with Guha, he risks being exposed by the devoted Ayodhya citizens. Time is always understood along with space. When his location was found out at Chitrakoota, he ventures deeper into Dandakaranya.

            The fact he chose Panchavati buffered him in space and time to spend more time with Sita. After she gets kidnapped, he embarks on a mission to quickly find Sugriva. Though he was made a King, Sugriva loses time in pleasure. Rama sends Lakshmana to invoke a sense of urgency. When the Vanaras were sent in all directions, they were given only a month. The southern contingent comes back successful, though exceeding the time, but with the news that Sita is in dire straits. Rama’s urgency is seen when he shows his anger on Sagara who was merely delaying the Lanka access. The pace of bridge construction also reveals his masterly time management.

            The war brings the vanaras face to face with Ravana’s moolabala sainya. Rama’s valor is recorded in detail, yet one cannot forget his focus on time. Sita’s Agnipariksha is one of the least understood episodes. In Understanding Sita’s Agnipariksha, we gained insight that the entire drama of putting Sita and himself to peril, only to salvage the cause of Bharata. The continued focus on Bharata, who was determined to jump in a pyre if Rama did not return in time, is evident as Rama sends the supersonic messenger Hanuman ahead.

            Timely implementation of a project is crucial trait of leadership. Projects usually have a domino effect on other projects. Hence the proper completion has consequences far beyond the project itself.

Appreciation: Rama distributes fourteen years of salaries as advance payment to all those in his direct employment in Ayodhya, when he left for the forest. Rama appreciated Jatayu’s sacrifice by performing the last rites for the birds’ mokshaprapti. Rama appreciates Hanuman with a warm hug, which meant more than all the riches of the universe to both, when he came back victoriously after interacting with Sita in Lanka. Rama seeks a personal boon to bring back all the dead vanaras and heal all the injured ones.

            When one realizes that we can never be independent in this world and are always interdependent, we develop a respect and appreciation for all the small and big blessings that come to us from others. Appreciating the efforts of others properly is the hallmark of true leadership, which not only rewards others actions, but also sets up for better outcomes in the future along with strengthening the relationship.

Rewarding: Rama rewarded everyone he came in contact. He enriched their lives at whatever level they wanted. The Rishis were eager merely of his Darshan, be it Bharadwaja, Sarabhanga, Suteeskshana or Sabari. When he left Ayodhya he payed all the servants in his employment fourteen years salary when any Ayodhya ruler would have taken care of their plight. He ensures Jatayu is compensated for his supreme sacrifice and the purity of his actions. Rama rewarded Sugriva even ahead of seeking his help and we see a literal repeat with Vibhishana. Rama’s supreme gesture to reward a triumphant Hanuman was a big warm hug with his eyes filled with streaming tears.

            Rewarding is a crucial leadership component. This makes appreciation tangible. Making the team players feel important and compensating in a measure appropriate to the contribution sets the foundation for a loyalty based relationship. Though the leader may be able to retain the followers by mere personality and policies, suitable rewards encourage the team to get more cohesive and stay motivated. Rewarding as a bribe is selfish but an appropriate reward can be motivational.

 Forgiveness: Rama never held any grudge against anyone. When Vaali was killed, he displayed his anger against Rama, yet Rama took time patiently to explain the reasoning behind. When Sugriva forgets his promise and is lost in his own indulgence, even against a ticking clock, Rama chooses to forgive him. Rama never applies Vibhishana’s birth as a reasoning to hold it against and declares that even if Ravana came to surrender he would have treated him with same dignity and respect.

            Holding a grudge is suicidal for any leader. Having a magnanimous heart allows the opportunity to reform for even the wayward followers. Forgiveness enables one to rise above the pettiness of egocentric disputes.

Loyalty: Rama would not give up his commitment owing to changing scenarios. Rama continues to search for Sita when there was no proof of her existence. He deploys all the resources through his friend Sugriva in searching for Sita, when it would have been lot easier to abandon the efforts. Even when Sugriva fails to live up to his promise, he is extremely loyal to his friendship. Mere Vibhishana’s surrender was proof enough for Rama to put his entire weight behind him. When Lakshmana was rendered unconscious, he was ready to question the futility of even winning the war in his absence. Such is his loyalty.

            Loyalty is a key leadership quality that is foundation for team building and uplifting societal structures. Loyalty is not blindly supporting someone over their mistakes, but overlooking the errors and guiding them to the path of Dharma. Loyalty is not at the cost of Dharma but to uphold it at any cost.

Vision: Rama not only had an extraordinary vision for himself that guided his standards, but also one for his Kingdom Ayodhya. Rama’s vision comes from his staunch commitment to Dharma. While the citizens benefited from all the material comforts, peaceful reign, the real uplift came in their dharmic and spiritual way of life. The elevated standards of Rama deep-rooted in the grand vision of Brahmajnana help transfer the same vision to the masses.

            The leader is responsible for casting a vision for the followers. The greater the vision the greater the pull exerted. Living up to this vision by the leader exerts a positive influence in others believing and working towards the vision. The vision if rooted in dharma accentuates the benefits accrued.

Networking/relationship building: Rama is the master of relationship building. His personal relationship skills were the joy of life for those who encountered it. Rama proactively sought out the contact of rishis and sant mahatmas. Whenever he found extraordinary people like Guha, Sugriva and Vibhishana, he established bonds of brotherhood by accepting them as brothers from a different mother. Whenever he built any relationship, it was built on the strong foundation of Dharma. The relationships were predicated on his personal contributions to strengthening it. He first eliminated Vaali before even asking a favor from Sugriva. Similarly he gave protection and crowned Vibhishana as the next Lankan king ahead of seeking any return favor.

            Relationships form the backbone of good networking. In a good relationship, voluntarily offering friendly acts without any expectations form the basis for a firm relationship foundation. Rama sets the standards that Dharma and selfless acts as key ingredients for lasting friendship. The importance of relationships is not lost when Rama who left Ayodhya with only Sita and Lakshmana, returns back with great friendships spanning the entire sub-continent.  A leader always offers the warm hand of friendship first without any prejudice.

Humor: Rama seems to be very focused and intense. There is reference of his playful nature with Sita. But, his sense of humor is not lost. When Shoorpanaka comes with intense lust, he redirects her towards Lakshmana who was without his wife.  Rama literally plays a practical joke on Lakshmana, who wriggles out of the situation by declaring that he is dasa to Rama, so her situation would become miserable by playing a reverse joke. The tamasic mind of Shoorpanaka could not enjoy the subtlety of the joke. She understood Sita as the root of all the obstacles between her lust realization and her.

            Leadership is serious stuff, yet humor is one of the important attracting aspects of a personality. Humor also allows the leader to use it as a powerful vehicle to deliver the message.

Honesty / Straightforwardness: Rama was always straightforward even with his enemies. He never hides or twists his credentials, intention or actions. Even when Shoorpanaka questions, he recites the entire Ramayana in summary giving all the information though she was a stranger. Rama demonstrates arjava everywhere.

            Leadership is a reflection of good character and honesty has to be its bedrock.

Empowerment: This is an extension of delegation. Rama is seen in numerous places encouraging people to follow Dharma. He advises his mother, Kausalya, to stay with Dasaratha. He tests both Sita and Lakshmana for their resolve, but gladly encourages their adherence to Dharma. Sugriva, who is barely alive by hiding, finds Rama’s friendship as his only way to get out of Vaali’s clutches. Rama empowers Hanuman by giving him the signatory ring, which reinforces Hanuman’s faith in his self and proceed with the mission. Rama naama, Rama Bhakti and Rama kainkarya all repose faith in us as Jivatman and the continuous reassurance from Paramatman. Rama’s message through Hanuman also gives Sita hope and something to live for in a world of asuras. Rama empowered Sugriva to lead his army and manage the resources. This was evident when Nala Sethu was built.

            Empowerment is a very important Leadership trait. Empowerment may partially happen due to delegation, but for most it happens in the form of actions and interactions. Empowering the team members brings the best of their potential. A leader must also uncover the hidden potential that the members may not even have discovered in themselves.

Courage: Rama displays tremendous courage at all times. It may be changing fortunes of being on the verge of the throne to relinquishing it for no fault of his. In the ever changing stressful life of the forest, Rama made his surroundings as heaven with his attitude and actions. Even while facing the sudden attack of Viradha or Kabandha, he was ever alert and quick in his brave response. To instill confidence in Sita ahead of her abduction, he single handedly destroys Khara-Dhushana and his fourteen thousand rakshasas. The loss of Sita does shake him up due to his exceeding love for her, but doesn’t dent his courage. He faces the search mission calmly. Rama’s attack on Lanka sets the record very high with setbacks ranging from losing Lakshmana’s consciousness to facing Maya Sita tactics to facing slight dejection seeing the unending Ravana army.

            Courage is a key Leadership trait. The ability to face any situation boldly rallies not only the followers but also one’s own self to navigate the odds. Courage is the ability to follow Dharma at all costs. Courage is the stickability to higher ideals, irrespective of the situation.

Respecting enemies and protocol:  Rama not only respected his friends, but also his opponents. This way, he did not let prejudice affect his judgment. His personality towered so high that even the opponents respected him in return. The expression of his respect came in many forms. With Kabandha, it was to follow his instructions to destroy his corporeal existence, so that he could attain his divine body. With Khara and Dhushana it was in the form of personally and single handedly taking them head on. With Vaali, it was deliberately using a low grade arrow to give him enough time to clear his doubts. With Vibhishana, it was to uphold the saranagati dharma. With the Ravana’s spies – Shuka and Sarana, it was to grant them access to all their army information. With Ravana, it was to send Angada as a reminder and to grant a second chance after the first encounter. Rama’s high standards not only impressed the male antagonists, but also the female ones.

            This may be a surprising leadership quality, very rare in today’s world. Some glimmer of its presence can be seen with there is a great Statesman as a politician. This results in the unthinkable like the fall of the Berlin wall or the collapse of the Soviet Union. Respecting the opponent’s real strength and treating them with respect gives the leader an unprejudiced position to think and act.

Selflessness: The recurring theme running across Ramayana is Selflessness. Rama demonstrates this quality at numerous instances. He volunteers to uphold Dasaratha’s boon so that Satya can be upheld, even if it be at his cost. He argues with Sita to stay back in the palace, until she convinces him that she will join him with her own volition and sense of dharma. He enacts the entire drama of Sita’s Agnipariksha and even today bears the ridicule of the ignorant critics for being misogynistic. Yet the above article goes in depth to highlight the real reasons are for Bharata, Kaikeyi and even Dasaratha’s betterment.

            Selflessness is a very important step that can expand our consciousness from the confines of our ahamkara and mamakara. It is definitely a stepping stone to the next steps of Tyaga and eventually Sannyasa.

            Rama is the treasure trove of all great and divine traits. Though the divinity is masked, it exudes enormously as the very exalted good traits that set the standards for each one of us. Rama is a big book of lessons as big Ramayana itself. It is hard to fathom this ocean of greatness. Every single ray of greatness of Rama is a gateway to the infinite. Leadership is certainly the lowest lesson one can absorb from Rama. As one sheds the sickular lens one’s mind is elevated to stratospheric heights of Rama’s charana, the supreme abode of bliss and peace. Let us merge into this Ocean of mercy and divinity by recounting the wondrous qualities and trying to mimic them in our own lives.

 

ॐ तत् सत