‘Having heard all these different stories from the Ramayan, can you sum up the essential
features of Ram as a leader?’ asked Maanav,
‘Sure, Maanav, I would be happy to do so,’ replied VR.
‘Ram’s leadership can be summed up in the following point-wise manner:
1. Always keep the vision in your mind
No matter what the situation was, Ram never deviated from his vision of Dharmik (morality-based) leadership. Dharma was His guiding principle in all decisions, and he made sure His team never forgot that as well.
2. The leader sets the precedent
Ram did not simply tell people what needed to be done; He demonstrated it in His every action. He set Himself up as the gold standard of right conduct and became a living inspiration to those around Him.
3. A leader is a good listener
On several occasions, even when Ram knew what needed to be done, He always consulted His team members and allowed them to fully express their views, even if they were contrary to His own. He made sure to address their concerns even while disagreeing with them. He made His team feel included in every decision.
4. A leader identifies and nurtures their team
Ram did not always pick the most talented people in His team. He chose them based on their alignment with His vision. However, he helped them develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, and thus were able to outperform their own expectations.
5. A leader is kind yet strict
Ram was very forgiving and spoke kindly to everyone. Yet when He sensed any indiscipline in his team members or found them straying away from their path, He was quick to take action and be strict with them. This ensured the team remained focused and happy.
6. A leader is selfless
This is perhaps the most important quality of Ram. He prioritised the welfare of others in the team over his own. He gave people enough freedom to lead without feeling threatened by their growth. This endeared Ram to all.’
‘Wow! This seems like an excellent template for leadership that has been known to us for thousands of years. Thank you so much, VR, for this whole discussion. I feel much more confident in my ability to lead, with these ideas in mind.’
‘Glad to be of use, Maanav. Thanks for using Ramayan Reboot.’
