PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM “THIRUKKURAL” (6)

Adequate knowledge in the relevant field of activity is only one facet of the leadership. It helps the leader to get some light in the direction in which he should move or operate. But unless the leader takes the first step towards the direction he has to move, rather he would like to mobilize the team behind him, nothing will change. This ability to take the initial step requires self-confidence and courage of conviction.

The step, one takes, towards any direction should be voluntary, well-considered and with faith. It should not be an outcome of an advice of any other person or either to protect or please them. It should be born out of their own courage of conviction.

“If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life”

says Marcus Garvey

Insisting on this need for the courage of conviction of a leader, Thiruvalluvar says:

வினைத்திட்பம் என்பது ஒருவன் மனத்திட்பம்

மற்றய எல்லாம் பிற.

(Vinaiththitpam yenpathu oruvan manaththitpam

Matraya yellam pira)

Meaning – The successful exection of an action depends on the self-confidence; others are irrelevant.

This self-confidence and courage of conviction provides the much needed energy for an individual to face all the ordeals with positivity and strength. He is not defeated by the difficulties that encounters him on his way towards his goal.

Thiruvalluvar advises that even if one encounters challenges and difficulties in his progressive path towards a given goal, he needs to carry on doing whatever he does with courage. If one persists, with courage the end result will certainly be rewarding.

துன்பம் வரினும் செய்க துணிவாற்றி

இன்பம் பயக்கும் வினை.

(Thunbam varinum seiga thunivaatri

Inbam payakkum vinai)

Leaders need to have courage of conviction. In its absence, his leadership will always be looked at with suspicion.

When a person is not deterred by the roadblocks in the path of progress and considers them as a routine course of life and enjoys the challenges with the same state of mind as he would deal with happiness, even his opponents love him for his commitment, courage and conviction. Thiruvalluvar calls such people ‘exemplary’ and says ‘they are commended even by their rivals.”

இன்னாமை இன்பம் எனக்கொளின் ஆகுந்தன்

ஒன்னார் விழையுஞ் சிறப்பு.

(innamai inbam yenakkolin aagunthan

Onnar vizhayunj chirappu)

He further adds:

இடும்பைக்கு இடும்பை படுப்பர் இடும்பைக்கு

இடும்பை படாஅ  தவர்

(Idumbaikku idumbai paduppar idumbaikku

Idumbai padaa thavar)

Meaning: “People who are not afraid of facing roadblocks, create roadblocks to challenges and thus win over”

Thus one finds the message of Thiruvalluvar is crystal clear in respect of leadership and management concepts, even though they were authored several centuries before. No wonder, the book is considered as one of eternal value.

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