PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM ‘THIRUKKURAL”

PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM ‘THIRUKKURAL” (1)

introduction

Thirukkural is one of the most celebrated literature in Tamil. It is considered more as a scripture that prescribes and guides people for living a worthy life. Authored by Tiruvalluvar, the book is a collection of poems in the format of “Kural” – a style that conveys its essence in two lines as a couplet. The entire book comprises of 1330 kurals captured in 133 titles and each title encompassing various dimensions of the theme in ten couplets. Broadly the entire work is articulated in three major Heads – Araththuppaal, portutpaal, and kaamaththuppaal – the first dealing with a spectrum of issues relating to dharma and righteousness for a value based life, the second dealing with an array of issues dealing with material domains of life that help to understand the fine line of difference between materialism and spirituality including their co-habitation, and the third dealing with personal emotional rainbow that glitters in human hearts as a part of a glorious family life.

Easy to understand, captured in a simple language that reveals itself, the poems impact every reader and acts as a radar for operating one’s life both successfully and righteously in the theatre of life. The entire book is a repository of wisdom and practical guidelines capsuled into simple lines of effective communication. Examined and understood closely, they are intensive suggestions that facilitate leadership through meaningful and purposeful social activism. A large number of suggestions and insights that would help students of leadership and management are effectively interwoven in structured thoughts. It is interesting to note that many of these thoughts are totally and extensively relevant to modern social structures and organizational operatives.

Students of Management and leadership who search for global views on such matters would find that these principles, thoughts and ideas have already been spelt out both directly and indirectly by Tiruvalluvar. One really wonders how this great saint could comprehend many of these difficult issues in those early days and suggest guidelines that are eternal and span over the space and time. Interestingly, all these inputs that blossom from the deep and intense understanding of Tamil culture and social environment, transgresses language and communities, and of course crosses the barriers of oceans into continents across the globe.

No wonder, the book is called “ulaga marai” (global scripture ) and hence has been translated into almost all known languages in several countries.

It has been my long desire to give a meaning and shape to these insights in the context of the concepts that influence the modern schools of leadership and management so that the global community can receive and absorb the light and positivity of this wisdom that radiates from Tamil literature and culture.

While I am not sure, how successful I would be in shaping this dream, I am again by the famous kural which advises how we should approach in evaluating a subject

குணம் நாடிக் குற்றமும் நாடி அவற்றுள்

மிகைநாடி மிக்க கொளல்.

(Gunam naadik kutramum naadi avatrul

Migainaadi mikka kolal )

Meaning – Seek the values in everything and find its defects; evaluate them objectively and take the maximum out of the best in them.

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

Who is a leader?

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.

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

What characterizes a leader?

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.

  

PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM ‘THIRUKKURAL” (4)

What are the objectives of leadership?

One wonders often – what leadership really means?  The root of the word ‘leader’ is from the Anglo-Saxon noun “laed” meaning –a path, road, way or the course of a ship at sea. It is a word that relates to a journey.

A leader therefore is pathfinder. He designs the course of a journey or blazes the trail for his followers.  Therefore, anyone who heads a team of people is not necessarily a leader unless he develops a vison, details the mission, designs the strategies and delegates the responsibilities.

Focusing on these qualities of a leader Thiruvalluvar beautifully comprehends

இயற்றலும் ஈட்டலும் காத்தலும் காத்த

வகுத்தலும் வல்ல தரசு

(Iyatralum yeettalum kaaththalum kaaththa

Vaguththalum valla tharasu.).

Leadership is a mindset. One doesn’t acquire it just because he or she is in a positon that bestows him certain responsibilities to discharge. Talking of the characteristics of leadership John C Maxwell, a leading international expert on this subject says “Job titles don't have much value when it comes to leading. True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed or assigned. It comes only from influence and that can't be mandated.”

Any amount of textual learning or financial positioning or physical or political power may not bestow a person with the qualities of leadership. It is felt, learnt and experienced through adherence to certain principles, values, practices, ethics and sensitivities.

Detailing the qualities of leaders, Thiruvalluvar calls for a deep understanding of nature, both external and the internal. In his Kural in the “Amaitchu” adhikaaram, he says

செயற்கை அறிந்தக் கடித்தும் உலகத்து

இயற்கை அறிந்து செயல்.

(seyarkkai arinthak kadaiththum ulagaththu

Iyarkkai arinthu seyal)

We could see several people who are bestowed with limitless competencies and skills, but unable to take leadership positions. Many of them lack vision and self- confidence. They suffer from “Learned helplessness” – a feeling and conviction that they cannot go beyond a given level of performance or they suffer from self-pity that they cannot compete with others.

George Bernard Shaw in his own inimitable style puts it “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I do not believe in circumstances. The people who get on this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they cannot find them, make them.”

One could find that Thiruvalluvar expresses the same point of view – “Even if one faces a series of ordeals continuously , on witnessing the conviction of a strong person, the ordeals wade away.”

அடுக்கி வரினும் அழிவிலான் உற்ற

இடுக்கண் இடுக்கட் படும்.

(adukki varinum azhivilaan utra

Idukkan idukkat padum)

Strong leaders are entrepreneurs of circumstances.

  

PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM “THIRUKKURAL” (5)

General Characteristics of Leaders?

A leader is characterized by certain basic characteristics.

Some basic characteristics of a leader are:

•      Personal Mastery

•      Self-confidence

•      Imagination

•      Initiative

•      Enterprise

•      Enthusiasm

•      Charisma

•      Team spirit

•      Decision making skills

•      Emotional intelligence

•      Honesty

•      Tolerance

•      Mentoring

•      Value profile

Let us try to analyze the significance of each of the above components.

Personal Mastery:

A leader is expected to be having thorough knowledge of the subjects under his domain and experience in relevant skills. As he is supposed to guide others, he should be aware of and sensitive to the knowledge dynamics and should be familiar with the universe of his work station. In the absence of contextual knowledge and concurrent skills, he will be sidelined or marginalized by the people under him. The leadership will be always under debate and subject to challenge. Hence, a leader must have deep insight of the subject matter he would be dealing with, much beyond what one has learnt through his formal education. The word “Mastery” calls for authenticity and “credibility” of his knowledge. Further the knowledge and skills of the leader must be inspiring and motivating. Many of these are not awarded by certifications and the personal indulgence of the leader to prove his worth counts.

 Thiruvalluvar says

நுண்ணிய நூல்பல கற்பினும் மற்றுந்தன்

உண்மை அறிவே மிகும்.

(Nunniya nool pala karpinum matrunthan

Unmai arrive migum)

Meaning – ‘even if one has studied advanced books, what remains will be one’s real knowledge.

He also details the function of the leadership in the following verse:

தெரிதலும்  தேர்ந்து செயலும் ஒருதலையாச்

சொல்லலும் வல்லது அமைச்சு.

(therithalum thernthu seyalum oruthalaiyaach

Chollalum vallathu amaichchu)

Meaning – The duty of leadership is to know, to analyze and  mentor, and to speak out courageously

Leaders with personal mastery only can go in search of factual knowledge and will be able to mentor and speak courageously.

The kurals of Thiruvalluvar written several centuries before reflect concepts which are true for any time 

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

Confidence profile of Leaders

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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PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FROM “THIRUKKURAL” (7)

Self- Assessment for leaders

While many people aspire for the leadership and want to play a pro-active role in shaping systems, institutions and concepts, their desire, competency and style do not necessarily match the skills required for an effective leadership. Consequently when they take up positions of responsibility they are not able to discharge their duties effectively. They exhibit absence of vision, direction and focus.

Such situations arise when the leaders do not assess their competencies effectively and meaningfully. They are also not aware of the challenges facing them, the strength of competitors and the environment in which they are functioning. It is a demonstration of pragmatic vision. Talking of such leaders Thiruvalluvar says

வினைவலியும் தன்வலியும் மாற்றான் வலியும்

துணைவலியும்  தூக்கிச் செயல்

(vinaivaliyum thanvaliyum maatran valiyum

Thunaivaliyum thookkich cheyal)

Meaning “Before you engage into an action, assess your strength, strength of others, strength of the action and the strength of the support systems.”

If a leader is hasty in his actions without considerations and judgment of all that is listed above, he is bound to face defeat and suffer humiliation.

Mere desire to do something, mere curiosity and a sense of enterprise will not help or assure one of success. As such this curiosity and enterprise has to be weighted against the competence. Otherwise, the leader is likely to desert his actions even half-way, just because his strength and that of the resources that support are not good enough to take him to the path of success.

Says Thiruvalluvar:

உடைத்தும் வலியறியாதார் ஊக்கத்தின் ஊக்கி

இடைக்கண் முறிந்தார் பலர்.

(udaiththum valiyariyaathaar ookkathin ookki

Idaikkan murinthaar palar)

Meaning “Many have broken halfway just because they got into action catalyzed by their enterprise without knowing their actual strength.

In trying to mobilize support the leader should be extremely careful about the persons with whom they associate. The choice of supporters is vital for safe mobility towards the path of success. If the people who stand by the leader is not dependable, their support will always be subject of suspicion and doubt. Similarly, if the leader always suspects the association of dependable person, he will again be in trouble because such actions will have frustrated those who want to give unqualified support.

According to Thiruvalluvar

“தேரான் தெளிவும் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்

தீரா இடும்பை தரும்”

(Theraan thelivum thelinthaankan aiyuravum

Theera idumbai tharum)

(To be continued)