Leadership Qualities: Insights from the Mahabharat
The Mahabharat is an Indian Epic narrating the history of the Kuru (Pandavas and Kauravas) dynasty. It has numerous insights on various aspects of our life and many of these insights are relevant and practically applicable even today.
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The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharatha, which is the longest book and having the most number of verses, has excellent insights on leadership and governance. We shall see the 36 qualities to be possessed by a leader as spoken by Bhishma Pitamah to Yudhishtira. Bhishma Pitamah, who is badly injured in the war, is lying on a bed of arrows. Shri Krishna, Yudhishtira and other sages and kings approach him for counsel. Bhishma ji says that Shri Krishna, being a more competent person on these matters of life and leadership, should take the lead in counseling. Shri Krishna replies that Bhishma having mastered various principles should be known to the future generations through his words and achievements. Hence it would be better that Bhishma ji himself counsel them so that Bhishma ji’s fame will last for several thousands of generations. In the 76th chapter of Shanti Parva, Bhishma ji lists 36 qualities to be possessed by a leader. It is amazing how these verses of Bhishma ji are timeless and are applicable to leadership of all eras.
- Observance of virtues without wrath and malice
- Not abandoning kindness
- Having Shraddha
- Acquiring wealth without persecution and cruelty
- Pursuing pleasure without attachments
- Approaching with Cheerfulness
- Liberal but with caution
- Prowess without cruelty
- Making alliance avoiding the wicked
- Not acting with hostility towards friends
- Not employing untrustworthy persons as spies
- Accomplishment without aggression
- not disclosing purpose before the wicked
- Speaking of others merits but not one’s own
- Taking wealth from subjects but not from those who are helpful through other means
- Not employing those with negative qualities
- Not inflict punishment without proper enquiry
- Never disclosing plans
- Giving away charity but not to covetous
- Having confidence on trustworthy subordinates
- Not cherishing malice
- Protection of spouse
- Pure in thoughts words and deeds
- Not indulging in too much pleasure of companionship
- Partaking food that is wholesome
- Paying regards to elders and respected persons
- Worshipping Gods without pride
- actively seeking prosperity without doing anything that brings infamy
- Serving others with humility
- Good business acumen but should wait for appropriate time
- Comforting people with proper words and not empty speeches
- Not abandoning someone who has been supported
- Never acting out of ignorance
- Never indulging in repentance (considering that the actions have been based on dharma)
- Display temper only when it is necessary
- Should be mild but not to those who have offended
http://www.anaadifoundation.org/blog/mahabharata/leadership-qualities-mahabharat-shanti-parva/
