PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM ‘THIRUKKURAL” (3)

Who are Leaders?

Leaders, it is said, are like Light houses. They stand for a value or a principle. They illuminate the thoughts, actions and pathways of several others who trust them and follow them. Nevertheless, they do not seek to share the privileges enjoyed by those who benefit from their virtue. They neither seek acknowledgement, nor praise. They are admired and respected by people even from far. Their humility is a source of inspiration to the followers.

Highlighting this virtue, Thiruvalluvar says:

நிலையில் திரியாது அடங்கியான் தோற்றம்

மலையினும் மாணப் பெரிது

(nilaiyil thiriyaathu adangiyaan thotram

Malaiyinum maanap perithu)

Meaning “The image of a humble person who has not wavered from his position is glorious than a mountain”

Such leaders command respect from the followers, seekers and the community at large.

John Quincy Adams defining roles of leaders says “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and do more, you are a leader.”

Leaders are role models whose actions speak louder than their words. These actions radiate positive energy all around and inspire the environment to replicate their models by dreaming to be like them or better and motivating them to learn and do more than what they are capable of. Thus such leaders facilitate others to generate their own energy and maximize their outputs.

Detailing the characteristics of leaders in his unit “Amaichchu” (governance), Thiruvalluvar spells out how a leader influences the followers:

கருவியும் காலமும் செய்கையும் செய்யும்

அறிவினையும் மாண்டது அமைச்சு

(karuviyum kaalamum seigaiyum seyyum

Arivinaiyum maandathu amaichchu )

Meaning “The role of governance (leadership) is to empower the instruments, the time, the operational strategies and the type of action.”

One finds a lot of agreement and coherence between the modern roleplays defined by the prominent advocates of leadership and the thought provoking communication ingrained in the powerful words of the saint.