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