PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM ‘THIRUKKURAL” (2)

An African proverb says “It takes a whole society to raise a leader.”  It really means that  a leader is shaped by a number of external forces and thought architects. Hence a leader is a social being. As a part of a vibrant society that has shaped him .he needs to have adequate social sensitivity and inclusivity. Thus, his social consciousness goes a long way in shaping his own  image. Unless he is conscious and responsive to the needs of the society, unless the society recognizes and elevates him/her to the position one deserves, one doesn’t emerge as a leader in its true sense. Therefore anyone who is aspiring to be a leader should not do anything that would be detrimental to the social fabric.

Leaders are usually evaluated by their actions. The society will qualify them to be a leader only by evaluating their actions. Even if a given action is sure to make a person as an illuminating star with a brand value, if it is not in the interest of the society, the individual is not expected to do it. Thiruvalluvar foresees the consequences of such actions on the social architecture, and goes to advise through the following lines:

இன்றி யமையாச் சிறப்பின் ஆயினும்

குன்ற வருப விடல்

(inriyamaiyaach chirappin aayinum

Kunra  varupa vidal )

Meaning “one should not do any action that brings down the glory of the society even if it is unavoidable.”

All actions of leaders should be focused on building values, ethics, confidence and positivity in the community. One cannot even dream of seeking avenues to leadership if his intentions are not focused on righteousness and building glory through positivity.

பெருமை உடையவர் ஆற்றுவார் ஆற்றின்

அருமை உடைய செயல்.

(perumai udayavar aatruvar aatrin

Arumai udaya seyal )

Meaning “Glorious people will do all actions which are exemplary.”

In a world of self-proclaimed leaders one has to understand that pseudo-leadership doesn’t stand for a long time. A real leader needs to have relevant and visible competencies.  As Rudyard Kipling puts in his poem “If” – he/she should be able ‘to walk like a king amongst the commoners and a commoner amongst the kings.’

The following Kural of Thiruvalluvar illustrates this idea:

பணியுமாம் என்றும் பெருமை சிறுமை

அணியுமாம் தன்னை வியந்து.

(Paniyumaam yenrum perumai sirumai

Aniyumaam thannai viyanthu)

Meaning: Great people will always show humility; small people always glorify themselves wondering their own actions)

It is important that the aspirants for leadership should display the quality of humility.

  

G.Balasubramanian

(contd..)