From the Battlefield to the Boardroom: Krishna’s Life as a Guide to Leadership
by Braj Ras Rasik Dr. Shri Krishna Kinkar ji
Shri Krishna is, undoubtedly the divine leader and strategist who was considered to be the celestial thinker on the pages of one of the ancient Indian epics, Mahabharata. Lord Krishna comes out as the pioneer of leadership, providing Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes, with a divine charioteer and offering insightful guidance on morality, leadership, and decision-making in the epic tale of Mahabharata. Moreover, Shri Krishna Charit Manas, a sacred compilation of lord Krishna’s teaching, states that if thoughts are in alignment, working together becomes a harmonious experience, essentially a playground. But if thoughts are not in alignment, they can quickly transform into a battleground. This wisdom can be directly applied to the corporate world, where strategic alignment amongst teams and leadership is very important. Misaligned teams or conflicting strategies could derail even the best of goals when initiated with good intentions.
The Value of Strategic and Flexible Thinking
Lord Krishna was known and remembered for his strategic thinking and ability to adapt to different situations. Throughout the ‘Mahabharata’, it is very much visible how he used his alliances, diplomacy, and military strategies to secure victory for the Pandavas. A long term perspective and the flexibility to adjust to shifting market conditions are necessary for strategy in the corporate sector. Leaders need to be able to change their plans as circumstances change and act quickly when needed.
The Power of Leadership: Identifying the True Worth of People
Lord Krishna had this profound sense of leadership where he knew the other person’s right potential. Just like in Mahabharat, where Krishna identified the real potential of Arjun, a corporate leader’s first and primary job is to determine the true potential of his subordinates and help them reach their maximum capacity. Shri Krishna Charit Manas has further highlighted the fact that working based on assumptions without understanding the problem causes harm and disturbance. In the management of people, one must get rid of assumptions and judgments and actually witness the capabilities and strengths of others.
Guiding Light: Showing the Right Direction
Lord Krishna was always a guide to his people, showing the way and leading from the front. In the corporate race, a leader is the one who takes on the journey, being in the front and guiding his team in the right direction. In order to accomplish their goals, a leader should constantly mentor and provide the appropriate guidance to their staff. As we witness in the Mahabharat, days were spent fighting back and forth between Bheema and Jarasandha. Amidst this intense rivalry, Bheema also sought counsel from Lord Krishna. Krishna’s example demonstrates that inspiring people and fostering an environment of trust and independence are key components of effective leadership. Empowered teams foster better results and a sense of accountability and ownership.
From battlefield strategies to boardroom tactics, the lessons of leadership from Krishna’s life are profound and timeless. Focusing on meaning, emotional intelligence, adaptability, ethically founded choices, and empowering others, the model of leadership that Krishna evolves is far from prophetic, as it was conceived thousands of years ago. Krishna’s wisdom is a great source of inspiration for today’s leaders as they navigate the very complex modern leadership, inspired by leading with compassion, integrity, and strategic vision.
