Leadership Skills from Valmiki Ramayan

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Leadership Skills from Valmiki Ramayana Leadership Academy Seminar M Hariharan 30 March 2014, Sunday M Hariharan 1

description

Valmiki Ramayan is a rich source of life lessons. The life and times of Shri Ram has profound lessons for an individual, leader or manager. This is a presentation made by M Hariharan at Leadership Academy of Lions Club International Dist 323 A3 on 30 March 2014 at Hotel Suba International, Andheri East, Mumbai.

Transcript of Leadership Skills from Valmiki Ramayan

Page 1: Leadership Skills from Valmiki Ramayan

Leadership Skills from Valmiki Ramayana

Leadership Academy Seminar

M Hariharan

30 March 2014, Sunday M Hariharan 1

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I salute sage Valmiki - the nightingale, who sings in sweet voice the sweet name of

Rama, Rama, from the 'tree' of poetry.

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Road ahead

• Modern Management Thoughts

• Shri Ram’s traits

• Leader’s Advisors

• Leadership Lessons

• Indiscretion of a Leader

• Hanuman - Implementation – Fulfillment of Strategy

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Ramcharan on Leadership

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Leaders who do not produce other leaders is not a good leader

आगता त्वाम ्इयम ्बुद्धिः स्वजा वैनयिकी च या | भशृम ्उत्सहसे तात रक्षितुम ्पथृिवीम ्अपप || २-११२-१६

अमात्ययैः च सुहृद्भैः च बुपिमद्भैः च मन्त्रिभभैः | सवव कायावणि सम्मर्य सुमहारत्य ्अपप कारि || २-११२-१७

“ You are intelligent and competent by nature and training to rule”

“ Take counsel from intelligent counselors, ministers and companions and get the things done”

इमम ्अपप अंगदम ्वीरम ्यौवराज्ये अभभषेचय || ४-२६-१२

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Ramcharan on Leadership

• वाक्यज्ञम ्(Sentencious), स्नेह युक्तम ्(Friendly), अरररदम (Enemy destroyer)

• Learned and to the point ४-३-२९

• Faultless expressions ४-३-३०

• एवम ्पवधो यस्य दतूो न भवेत ्पाथिववस्य तु | भसद्ध्यन्त्रत हह किम ्तस्य कायाविाम ्गतयोऽनघ || ४-३-३४ (if this sort of envoy is not there to a king, really how can that king accomplishes his ways and means... )

• एवम ्गुि गियर ्युक्ता यस्य स्युैः कािय साधकािः | तस्य भसद्ध्यन्त्रत सवेऽिाव दतू वाक्य प्रचोहदताैः || ४-३-३५ ("Should a king have this kind of work accomplishers with a variety of virtues, all his objectives will be achieved impelled by such an envoy's words..." )

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Leaders have to identify early the potential high-potential leaders and really try to make self-aware what their [ God's]

gift is … and how to put them in the right jobs.

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Ramcharan on Leadership

• िद्वानरेन्द्रस्ि बलं तेन सवेि संवतृैः | हनूमत्रमुखैश्चैव यूिपयैः सह लक्ष्मि || ६-८५-२१

• जाम्बवेनाियपयतना सहसयरयेन संवतृैः | जहह तं राक्षससुतं मायाबलसमन्त्रवतम ्|| ६-८५-२२

• अयं त्वां सथचवयैः साध ंमहात्मा रजनीचरिः | अभिज्ञस्तस्ि मािानां पषृ्ठतोऽनुगभमष्यद्त || ६-८५-२३

• Take the army of Sugriva, with Hanuman as their head, protected by Jambavan, and Vibhishana who knows Indrajit’s tricks will be guiding you

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High-performance leader is different from high-performance individual. And the difference is a high-performance leader

gets things done.

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Drucker on Leadership

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Only definition of Leader is someone who has followers

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Drucker on Leadership

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An effective leader is not someone who is loved or admired. He or she is someone whose followers do the right things. Popularity is not leadership. Results are.

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Drucker on Leadership

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Leaders are highly visible. They therefore set examples

त्वम ्हह शरूैः च बलवान ्हरया एतान ्न संशयैः | स्वयम ्द्नहरतुम ्इच्छ्हभम सवावन ्एव द्नशाचरान ्|| ३-२४-१४ "You are a stalwart, a forceful one, and for sure you can eliminate them all, it is doubtless, but I long to eliminate all of the nightwalkers, personally" Rama said thus to Lakshmana.

तन्त्स्मन ्प्रपवष्टे तु गुहाम ्लक्ष्मिे सह सीतया | हन्द्त यनिुयक्तम ्इद्त उक्त्वा रामैः कवचम ्आपवशत ्|| ३-२४-१६ On Lakshmana's entering into cave along with Seetha, Rama said to himself, "thank goodness, it is a good-idea!" and thus saying he donned his shield.

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Drucker on Leadership

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Leadership is not rank, privileges, titles, or money. It is responsibility.

आत्मानं मानुषं मरये रामं दशरिात्मजम ्|| ६-११७-११ सोऽहं यस्य यतश्चाहं भगवंस्तद्धरवीतु मे |

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Boris Gorysberg & Michael Slind

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Smart leaders today, we have found, engage with employees in a way that resembles an ordinary person-to-person conversation more than it does a series of commands from on high.

Leadership Is a Conversation - How to improve employee engagement and alignment in today’s flatter, more networked organizations – HBR June 2012

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Boris Gorysberg & Michael Slind

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Intimacy: Getting close (Gaining trust, Listening well, Getting personal)

Leadership Is a Conversation - How to improve employee engagement and alignment in today’s flatter, more networked organizations – HBR June 2012

Four essential attributes of interpersonal conversation

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Boris Gorysberg & Michael Slind

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Interactivity : Promoting Dialogue

Leadership Is a Conversation - How to improve employee engagement and alignment in today’s flatter, more networked organizations – HBR June 2012

Four essential attributes of interpersonal conversation

• सुहृदा हह अिव कृच्छचेषु युक्तम ्बुपिमता सता | समिेन अपप संदेष्टुम ्शाश्वतीम ्भूद्तम ्इच्छचता ||६-१७-३३

• "An efficient and intelligent person ever desirous of everlasting well being of his friends should properly advise them well in difficult matters. Hence, tell your opinion one by one"

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Boris Gorysberg & Michael Slind

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Inclusion : Expanding employee roles (Brand ambassadors, Thought leaders, Story Tellers)

Leadership Is a Conversation - How to improve employee engagement and alignment in today’s flatter, more networked organizations – HBR June 2012

Four essential attributes of interpersonal conversation

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Boris Gorysberg & Michael Slind

अभयम ्सवव भतूेभ्यो ददाभम एतद् व्रतम ्मम | आनय एनम ्हरर शे्रष्ठ दत्तम ्अस्य अििम ्मिा ||६-१८-३४

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Intentionality : Pursuing an agenda

Leadership Is a Conversation - How to improve employee engagement and alignment in today’s flatter, more networked organizations – HBR June 2012

Four essential attributes of interpersonal conversation

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Road ahead

• Modern Management Thoughts

• Shri Ram’s traits

• Leader’s Advisors

• Leadership Lessons

• Indiscretion of a Leader

• Hanuman - Implementation – Fulfillment of Strategy

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Sri Ram’s Traits – The Person

• द्नत्यं प्रग्रहवान ्(Had always self control)

• सवंतृाकार: (Not let his feelings appear outwardly)

• गपु्तमरिैः (Kept his thoughts to himself)

• न्त्जतक्रोध: (He conquered anger.)

• न दृप्तो (Had no arrogance)

• न मत्सरी (Had no envy)

• दृढभन्त्क्तैः न्त्स्िरप्रज्ञ: (Firm devotion and steadfast mind)

• द्नस्तन्त्रिरप्रमत्त: (Free from idleness and was ever alert)

• न चालसैः (He never remained inactive)

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Sri Ram’s Traits – The Team Leader • नासद्धग्राही (Not stubborn)

• न दवुवचाैः (Not speaking evil words)

• पुरुषसारज्ञ: (Could grasp the essence of men)

• अनसयू:(He had no jealousy)

• स्वदोषपरदोषपवत: (Recognized his own errors and those of others)

• पुरुषारतरकोपवदैः (Understood difference among men)

• प्रग्रहानुग्रहयोयविारयायं पवचक्षिैः (He could judiciously discriminate whom to protect and whom to punish.)

• सत्सगं्रहप्रग्रहि: (He identified good men and protected them.)

• स्िानपवन्त्रनग्रहस्य (He knew the people worthy of reprimand)

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Sri Ram’s Traits – Organisational Head • आयकमवण्युपायज्ञैः संदृष्टव्ययकमवपवत ्(He knew the ways and means

of getting income as well as the system of spending, as perceived by economic sciences.)

• अिवधमौ च संगहृ्य सुखतरि: (He was interested in enjoying comforts only after understanding the economic realities.)

• अिवपवभागपवत: (He knew how to distribute the wealth.)

• नाशे्रयभस रत: (Not interested in actions, which were not beneficial)

• उत्तरोत्तरयुक्तौ च वक्ता (His eloquent speech contained a series of strategies for action)

• अमोघक्रोधहषव :(His anger and pleasure were not wasteful)

• त्यागसंयमकालपवत ्(He knew when to give and when not to give)

• न कालवशानुगैः (He had not surrendered to time)

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Road ahead

• Modern Management Thoughts

• Shri Ram’s traits

• Leader’s Advisors

• Leadership Lessons

• Indiscretion of a Leader

• Hanuman - Implementation – Fulfillment of Strategy

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Leader’s Advisors

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Leader’s Advisors - Dhasharatha’s court

• कुशला द्नयतने्त्रियाैः (Skilful in their duties with controlled senses)

• श्रीमरतैः (Affluent) • शास्िज्ञ: (Knowers of all sciences) • धढृ पवक्रमाैः (Firmly courageous) • यिा वचन काररिैः (True to their word) • क्षमा (Patient) • प्राप्ताैः (Valiant ones) • न्त्स्मत पूवव अभभभापषिैः (Smile when they

converse)

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Leader’s Advisors - Dhasharatha’s court

• क्रोधात ्काम अिव हेतोर ्वा न रूयुर ्अनतृम ्वचैः (Never speak untruthful words in anger or in greed or for monetary reasons )

• कुशला व््वहारेषु (Efficient in Administration)

• प्राप्त कालम ्यिा दण्डम ्धारयेयुैः सुतेषु अपप (Impose punishment even on their own sons, if situation demands it)

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Leader’s Advisors - Dhasharatha’s court

• वीराैः (Valiant)

• द्नयतोत्साहा (Enthusiastic on purpose)

• राज शास्िम ्अननु्त्ष्ठताैः (Administrator of political science )

• शचुीनाम ्(Clean persons)

• द्नत्यम ्रक्षक्षतारैः (Protectors at all times)

• मंि हहतैेः द्नपवष्टयैः (Conducive to the strategy)

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Vibhishana’s view of an advisor to Leader

• स मरिी – An advisor is one who

• परस्य वीयवम ्स्वबलम ्च बुद्ध्वा – Knows Own and enemy’s strength

• अप्नुमशृ्य – One who grasps

• स्वपक्षे स्िानम ्क्षयम ्वपृिम ् - our army’s Status quo, Fall and rise

• वद्धत ्क्षमम ्स्वाभमहहतम ् (६-१४-२२) – Advise which is appropriate to the interest of the king.

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Role of an advisor Lakshman’s words to Ram

• न त्वम ्व्यथितुम ्अहवभस (it is inapt of you to anguish)

• शोथचतुम ्न अहवसे (It will be inapt of you sadden like this)

• त्वत ्पवधा नहह शोचन्त्रत (The like of you will not sadden)

• सततम ्सवव दभशवनैः (Always equable in one’s outlook)

• अद्नपववण्ि दशवनाैः (Non-dispirited) • समुहत्स ुअपप कृच्छरेषु (Even if they are

undergoing desperate straits)

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Role of an advisor Lakshman’s words to Ram

• अदृष्ट गिु दोषािाम ् (Indiscernible are the rights and wrongs)

• अधवृािाम ्च इष्टम ्फलम ्(Indefinite are the fruits)

• तेषाम ्कमविाम ्(of the actions)

• क्रक्रयाम ्अतंरेि (Without performing actions) (फलम)् च न वतवते || ४-६६-१७ (fruits are also non-existence)

• (Don’t sit idle)

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Role of an advisor Lakshman’s words to Ram

• महाप्राज्ञ (Oh, Great discerner)

• ते बुपिैः (Your thinking process is)

• देवयैः अपप दअुवरवया (non-explicatory even to Gods)|

• ते ज्ञानम ्(Your thinking process is)

• शोकेन अभभप्रसुप्तम ्(slumberous due to your sadness)

• सम्बोधयाभम अहम ्|| ४-६६-१९ (It is what I’m addressing)

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Role of an advisor Lakshman’s words to Ram

• त््ज्य शोकम ्च मोहम ्च रामो धययवम ्उपागमत ्|| ४-१-१२४

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Road ahead

• Modern Management Thoughts

• Shri Ram’s traits

• Leader’s Advisors

• Leadership Lessons

• Indiscretion of a Leader

• Hanuman - Implementation – Fulfillment of Strategy

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Leadership Lessons

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Analysis and Foresight of a Leader

• क्रकम ्भरतने कदा पूववम ्– Has Bharata earlier ever,

• पवपप्रयम ्कृत वा ईदृशम ्भयम ्(done any harm or frightful thing)

• त ेन ते अद्धय भरतम ्यो अि शरकसे || २-९७-१४ (What so the reason for you to be so apprehensive of Bharata now?)

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Analysis and Foresight of a Leader

• त्वाम ्त ुवेहदतमु ्इच्छ्हाभम कस्य त्वम ्का अभस कस्य वा | त्वम ्हह तावरमनोज्ञा. आगंगी राक्षसी प्रद्तभाभस मे || ३-१७-१८

– "I too wish to know about you. Whose wife are you? What is your name? Or, whose daughter are you? By the way, you are with a most enthralling personality, and then you must be a demoness

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Colloboration • षड् युक्तयो लोके याभभैः सववम ्

पवमशृ्यत े(Six ideations are to be analysed for Colloboration)

• 1] sandhi a covenant with adverse kings;

• 2] vigraha continuing hostilities; • 3] yaana waging war; • 4] aasana sit out for proper time; • 5] dvaidhii bhaava creating

factions and vicissitudes in enemy groups;

• 6] samaashraya taking shelter under a coequal.

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Colloboration • वानरेरिो महावीयवैः (Sugreeva is a masterful

one among vanaras, highly mettlesome)

• तेजोवान ्अभमत प्रभैः (self-resplendent, and illimitable is his self-radiance..)

• सत्ि संधो (he is also truth-bound )

• द्वनीतिः च (and culture-bound)

• धदृ्तमान ्मद्तमान ्महान ्(... a mastermind, master-hand and a taskmaster... ) ३-७२-१३

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Colloboration • दक्षैः (capable adventurer)

• प्रगल्भो (a courageous exploiter )

• द्धयुद्तमान ्(his personality will be coruscating ever)

• महा बल पराक्रमैः (incomparably fearless) | • भ्राता द्ववाभसतो (banished by his self-conceited

brother )

• वीर राज्य हेतो ( owing to reasons of kingdom)|| ३-७२-१४

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Colloboration • सुग्रीवो वानर अथधपैः || (Lord of

Monkeys, Sugriva)

• न च ते सो अवमरतव्यैः (Cannot be looked down upon) ३-७२-१८

• कृतज्ञैः (He is a faithful one)

• काम रूपी च ((presently he is in the need of a bolsterer), and if you render help he will be obligated to you for ever...

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Preparedness of a Leader

• कतवव्यम ्(Preventive measures are to be effectuated)

• शभुम ्इच्छ्हता |(by any well wishing person)

• अनागत पवधानम ्(for any imminent situation)

• आपदम ्शंकमानेन (for any dangerous situation)

• पुरुषेि पवपन्त्श्चता || ३-२४-११ (by a person of talent)

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Reaction to a crisis

• आवां तु दृष््वा पद्ततौ पवसंज्ञौ | द्नवतृ्तयुिौ हतरोषहषौ| ध्रुवं प्रवेक्ष्यत्यमराररवासं | असौ समादाय रिाग्रलक्ष्मीम ्|| ६-७३-७२

– "Finding both of us fallen unconscious without displaying any joy or anger as also having desisted from fighting, Indrajit will certainly return to Lanka, after having obtained laurels of battle in its beginning itself."

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Reaction to a crisis

• ततस्तु तापवरिन्त्जदस्िजालयर ्| बभूवतुस्ति तदा पवशस्तौ| स चापप तौ ति पवषादद्यत्वा | ननाद हषावद्धयुथध राक्षसेरिैः || ६-७३-७३

– Thereafter, Rama and Lakshmana there became struck by a multitude of arrows of Indrajit. That leader of demons also there, causing affliction to both of them, roared with a thrill of rapture in battle.

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Getting work from an Expert

• कामं न त्वन ्समाधेयैः पुररदररिोथचतैः | ययुतु्सुरहमेकाग्रैः स्मारिे त्वां न भिििे || ६-१०६-१३ – "You need not be instructed by

me, accustomed as you are to drive the chariot of Indra the lord of celestials. Keen as I am to fight with a close attention, I am just reminding you and not teaching you."

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Four strategies

• न साम रक्षह्सु गुिाय कल्पत े| न दनम ्अिव उपथचतषेु वतवत े| न भेद सा्या बल दपपवता जनाैः | पराक्रमिः त ुएष मम इह रोचत े|| ५-४१-३

• "In the case of demons, the strategy of negotiation is not practicable.

• For those persons having abundant wealth, the strategy of bribery is not suitable.

• For persons who are proud of their strength, the strategy of sowing dissension is not amenable.

• Prowess alone is agreeable for me here."

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Implementation Kumbakarna to Ravana

• यैः पश्चात्पूववकायावणि (He who performance duties to be done earlier at a later stage)

• पूव ंचोत्तरकायावणि (and duties to be done later, at an early stage)

• न स वेद नयानयौ (does not know what is a right course and what is a wrong course.“)|| ६-६३-५

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Implementation Kumbakarana to Ravana

• ियािाम ्पञ्चधा योगम ्कमविाम ्यैः प्रपद्धयते | सथचवयैः समयम ्कृत्वा स सम्यगभभवतवते || ६-६३-७ – "He, who acts

according to an agreement done with his counsellors, considering three types of duties*, by harnessing five types of means**, moves along a right course."

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1). Conclusion of peace through conciliation. 2) Acceptance of allegiance through gift. 3) Invasion, as a method of coercion

1The method of initiating an actions (How). 2) Personality and material to be worked upon. (Who) 3) Time and place of action.(When and Where) 4) Provision against mischance (Negative Branch Resoulution) and 5) Chances of success. (Probability)

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Implementation Kumbakarana to Ravana

• पवनाशयरतो भतावरम ्सहहताैः शिभुभबुवधयैः | पवपरीताद्न कृत्याद्न कारयरतीह मन्त्रििैः || ६-६३-१७

– "Some counsellors, colluding with some learned adversaries, spoil their king and make them do wrong deeds."

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Individuality

• इह इदम ्धनवुवरम ्पाणिना संस्पशृाभम – Now, I want to feel this bow.

• रिम ्आरुह्य गच्छचामैः परिानम ्अकुतैः भयम ्- – Let us quickly mount the chariot and take a route which

has no fear from any quarter

• तस्मात ्गहृीत्वा वयदेहीम ्शर पाणिैः धनरु ्धरैः | गुहाम ्आश्रय शयलस्य दगुावम ्पादप संकुलाम ्|| – "Hence, wield your bow, keep arrows ready at hand, and

taking Vaidehi with you seek shelter in a impassable cave of a mountain overgrown with trees.

• दत्तम ्अस्य अभयम ्मया – I have given an assurance of safety to him.

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Road ahead

• Modern Management Thoughts

• Shri Ram’s traits

• Leader’s Advisors

• Leadership Lessons

• Indiscretion of a Leader

• Hanuman - Implementation – Fulfillment of Strategy

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Leader’s Indiscretion - Surpanaka Episode – Joking with her

• अनुजैः तु एष मे भ्राता शीलवान ्पप्रय दशवनैः | श्रीमान ्अकृत दारैः च लक्ष्मिो नाम वीयववान ्|| ३-१८-३

• "He is my younger brother named Lakshmana, he is with a good conduct, good looking, a promising and valiant one, and he is without a wife

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Leader’s Indiscretion - Surpanaka Episode – Joking with her

• अपूवी भायवया च अिी तरुिैः पप्रय दशवनैः | अनुरूपैः च ते भताव रूपस्य अस्य भपवष्यद्त || ३-१८-४

• "He is without a wife and in need of a wife he is youthful, good-looking and he can become a fitly husband of yours, fit enough to your kind of features..

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Leader’s Indiscretion - Surpanaka Episode – Ram’s Order

• कू्ररयैः अनाययैः सौभमि ेपररहासैः किंचन | न कायवैः पश्य वयदेहीम ्किंथचत ्सौम्य जीवतीम ्|| ३-१८-१९

– "Punning in any way with the base and brutish is inapposite, oh, gentle Saumitri, mark note of Vaidehi, somehow surviving

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Leader’s Indiscretion - Surpanaka Episode – Ram’s Order

• इमाम ्पवरूपाम ्असतीम ्अद्तमत्ताम ्महोदरीम ्| राक्षसीम ्पुरुषव्याघ्र पवरूपद्यतुम ्अहवभस || ३-१८-२०

– "She is freakish, knavish and overtly ruttish, oh, tigerly man, it will be apt of you to deface this paunchy demoness " Thus Rama said to Lakshmana.

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Ravana as a Leader– Hanuman’s first observation

• अहो रूपम ्अहो धययवम ्अहो सत्त्वम ्अहो द्धयुद्तैः | अहो राक्षस राजस्य सवव लक्षि युक्तता || ५-४९-१७

– "What figure, what courage, what strength, what splendor and what amalgam of auspicious marks, alas, this king of demons has!"

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Ravana as a Leader– Hanuman’s first observation

• यहद अधमो न बलवान ्स्यात ्अयम ्राक्षस ईश्वरैः | स्यात ्अयम ्सरु लोकस्य सशक्रस्य अपप रक्षक्षता || ५-४९-१८ – "Had this lord of demons perhaps

not strong in unrighteousness, he would have been a protector of even the world of celestials together with Indra the lord of celestials.“

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Ravana as a Leader– Hanuman’s first observation

• अस्य कू्ररयनृवशम ्सयश्च कमवभभलोककुन्त्त्सतयैः | सवे बबभ्यद्त खल्वस्माल्लोकाैः सामरदानवाैः || ५-४९-१९ अयम ्ह्यतु्सह्ते कु्रिैः कतुवमेकािववम ्जगत ्| – "By his cruel and violent acts despised by the world, all

people including gods and demons indeed remain frightened of him. If enraged he is indeed capable to turn the entire world into a single ocean."

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Vibhishana’s Advice to Ravana

• त्यजस्व कोपम ्सखु धमव नाशनम ्| भजस्व धमवम ्रद्त कीद्तव वधवनम ्| प्रसीद जीवेम सपुि बारधवाैः | प्रदीयताम ्दाशरिाय मयथिली || ६-९-२२ – "Abandon soon your anger, which

destroys happiness and piety. Resort to righteousness, which augments joy and fame. Become placid so that we may live with our sons and relatives. Let Seetha be given away to Rama."

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Vibhishana’s rebuke of Prahasta

• अयम ्च राजा रयसनाभभभतूो | भमियरभमिप्रद्तमयभववद्भैः | अरवास्यते राक्षसनाशनािे | तीक्षिैः प्रकृत्या ह्यसमीक्ष्यकारी || ६-१४-१७ – "This king who is overcome by evil addictions, * is rude in

nature and acts inconsiderately. Such a king is being surrounded as a caucus by you who are his companions taking the form of his enemies for the ultimate destruction of demons.“

• *The following are the seven evil habits to which kings are generally found addicted: --Harshness of speech and severity of punishment, extravagance, drinking, love of women, hunting and gambling.

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Vibhishana’s last words to Ravana

• सुनीतम ्हहत कामेन वाक्यम ्उक्तम ्दश आनन || ६-१६-२० न गहृ्िन्त्रत अकृत आत्मानैः कालस्य वशमागताैः – "Those who have an ill composed mind and who

get conceded to the occasion do not assimilate the words of prudence, spoken by a well wisher."

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Vibhishana’s last words to Ravana

• सुलभाैः पुरुषा राजन ्सततम ्पप्रय वाहदनैः || ६-१६-२१ अपप्रयस्य तु पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दलुवभैः | – "O, king! Men who forever speak pleasing words

are easy to be obtained. But one who speaks of useful but unpleasing words as also the one who listens to them, are rare to be obtained"

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Kumbakarna’s rebuke of Ravana • दृष्टो दोषो हह योऽस्माभभैः पुरा मरिपवद्निवये | हहतेष्वनभभयुक्तेन सोऽयमासाहदतस्त्वया || ६-६३-२ – "The same bad consequence,

which was imagined by us earlier while taking the final decision after our consultation, is faced by you now, due to your utter disregard of the words spoken by your well-wishers."

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Kumbakarna’s rebuke of Ravana • प्रिमम ्वय महाराज कृत्यमेतदथचन्त्रततम ्| केवलम ्वीयवदपेिनानुबरधो पवथचन्त्रततैः || ६-६३-४

– "O emperor! This course of action was not excepted by you at first. You did not conceive this consequence, only because of your sheer arrogance of power."

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Ravana as a Leader - Hanuman’s advice

• न हह धमव पवरुिेषु बह्व ्अपायेषु कमवसु | मूल घाद्तषु सज्जरते बुपिमरतो भवत ्पवधाैः || ५-५१-१८

– "Intellectuals like you indeed are not engrossed in acts, which are antagonistic to righteousness, which are attended with many dangers and which even ruin the doer at the roots."

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Ravana as a Leader - Hanuman’s advice

• न तु धमव उपसम्हारम ्अधमव फल सन्त्म्हतम ्|| ५-५१-२८ तत ्एव फलम ्अरवेद्त धमवैः च अधमव नाशनैः | – "The fruit of righteousness does not exist together with

the result of unrighteousness (eventhough he practices virtue). That consequence of unrighteousness alone follows him. Righteousness in abundance destroys unrighteousness."

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Ravana as a Leader– Failing to heed to advice

• यत ्क्रकल एतत ्अयुक्तािवम ्मारीच मद्य कथ्यते | वाक्यम ्द्नष्फलम ्अत्यिवम ्बीजम ्उप्तम ्इव ऊषरे || ३-४०-३ – "All these meaningless

words that are being said to me are decidedly worthless, in effect, like the seeds seeded in wastelands

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Ravana as a Leader - An Autocratic Leader

• वाक्यम ्अप्रद्तकूलम ्त ुमदृ ुपूववम ्शुभम ्हहतम ्| उपचारेि युक्तम ्च वक्तव्यो वसुधा अथधपैः || ३-४०-१०

• "The king being lord of the land is to be addressed preceded with gentility, with auspicious and beneficial words that do not contradict the interests of that lord, more so, they shall be inclusive of etiquette.

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Road ahead

• Modern Management Thoughts

• Shri Ram’s traits

• Leader’s Advisors

• Leadership Lessons

• Indiscretion of a Leader

• Hanuman - Implementation – Fulfillment of Strategy

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Hanuman- the Redoubtable ally of a leader - वाक्य कोपवदैः

• संभ्रमैः त्यजताम ्एष सवयैः वाभल कृते महान ्| मलयोऽयम ्थगररवरो भयम ्न इह अन्त्स्त वाभलनैः || ४-२-१४ – "Perplexity be warded off... all of you discarded

that great fear from Vali or his cruelty... there is no scare from Vali here on this best mountain, for it is Mt. Malaya...

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Hanuman- the Redoubtable ally of a leader - वाक्य कोपवदैः

• बुपि पवज्ञान संपरन इङ्थगतयैः सववम ्आचर | न हह अबुपिम ्गतो राजा सवव भूताद्न शान्त्स्त हह || ४-२-१८ – "Keep your intellect and wisdom firm, and express all

your intents rightly in your body language in all your undertakings... certainly, a king getting into unintelligence cannot command all his subjects..." So said Hanuman to Sugreeva.

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Hanuman – The four Traits

• यस्य त्वेताद्न चत्वारर वानरेरि यिा तव || ५-१९८ धदृ्तदृवन्त्ष्टमवद्तदावक्ष्यं स कमवसु न सीदद्त

• "O best among Vanaras! Whoever has the four qualities of courage, vision, intellect and skill, all these four virtues like you, such a person will not fail in any task."

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The Fifth Trait

• अद्नवेदैः थश्रयो मलूम ्अद्नवेदैः परम ्सखुम ्| अद्नवेदो हह सततम ्सवव अिेषु प्रवतवकैः || ५-१२-१० – "Non-depression is root of development. Absence of

despondency is the greatest comfort. Self reliance always is indeed the promoter in all matters."

• करोद्त सफलम ्जरतोैः कमव यच ्च करोद्त सैः | तस्माद्ध अद्नवेद क््तम ्यत्नम ्चषे्टे अहम ्उत्तमम ्|| ५-१२-११ – "Whatever action a human does that action of man is

made to be successful by non-depression. For that reason I will perform a best effort together with non-depression.

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Implementation Capabilities

• काये कमवणि द्नहदवष्टैः यो बहूद्न अपप साधयेत ्| पूवव कायव पवरोधेन स कायवम ्कतुवम ्अहवद्त || ५-४१-५ – "He alone can accomplish his purpose, who implements

many (secondary) tasks even after the initial task has been carried through, without impairing the previous achievement."

• न हह एकैः साधको हेतुैः स्वल्पस्य अपप इह कमविैः | यो हह अिवम ्बहुधा वेद स समिो अिव साधने || ५-४१-६ – 'There is indeed no single exclusive method to accomplish

a purpose however small a task may be. On the other hand, whoever knows to do a task in many ways, he alone is capable of achieving that task."

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Implementation Capabilities • ग्रहिे चापप रक्षोभभमवहरमे गुिदशवनम ्| राक्षसेरिेि सम्वादस्तस्माद्धगहृ्िरतु माम ्परे || ५-४८-४४

– "Even if I were captured by the demons, a great advantage is foreseen. There will be a dialogue with Ravana. Therefore, let the enemies capture me."

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Implementation Capabilities • स द्नन्त्श्चतािवैः परवीरहरता | समीक्ष्यकारी पवद्नवतृ्तचेष्टैः | परयैः प्रसह्याभभगतयद्नवगहृ्य | ननाद तयस्तयैः पररभत्स्यवमानैः || ५-४८-४५

– That Hanuman, the destroyer of enemies and who acted after fully considering the pros and cons, ascertained his objective and stayed motionless. Approached and captured forcibly by the enemies as also frightened by them, he made a loud scream.

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Opinion on Vibhishana

• न वादान ्न अपप सम्घषावन ्न आथधक्यान ्न च कामतैः | वक्ष्याभम वचनम ्राजन ्यिा अिवम ्राम गौरवात ्||६-१७-५२ – "O, king! O, Rama! I am talking neither for argument, nor

for competition (with other counselors, nor for superiority, nor out of passion for debate but on account of importance of this matter in hand."

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Opinion on Vibhishana • अज्ञात रूपयैः पुरुषयैः स राजन ्पचृ्छच्छयताम ्इद्त | यद्ध उक्तम ्अि मे पे्रक्षा काथचद्ध अन्त्स्त समीक्षक्षता ||६-१७-५९ – "O, king! Whatever was told by your counselors that let

Vibhishana be questioned by spies of unknown identity, my considered view is as follows:

• पचृ्छच्छयमानो पवशरकेत सहसा बुपिमान ्वचैः | ति भमिम ्प्रदषु्येत भमथ्य पषृ्टम ्सखु आगतम ्||६-१७-६० – "A wise man being questioned suddenly would be

apprehensive of that questioning. In those circumstances, an easily obtained friend becomes faithless upon facing a deceitful questioning."

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Opinion on Vibhishana

• न त्वस्य रुवतो जातु लक्ष्यते दषु्ट भावता | प्रसरनम ्वदनम ्च अपप तस्मान ्मे न अन्त्स्त संशयैः ||६-१७-६२

– "I am not seeing any bad intention at all in his talk. His face is also bright. Hence, I do not doubt him.“

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Opinion on Vibhishana • उद्धयोगम ्तव सम्पे्रक्ष्य भमथ्या वतृ्तम ्च राविम ्| वाभलनैः च वधम ्श्रतु्वा सगु्रीवम ्च अभभषेथचतम ्||६-१७-६६ राज्यम ्प्रािवयमानैः च बुपि पूववम ्इह आगतैः | एतावत ्तु पुरस ्कृत्य यजु्यते त्व ्अस्य सम्ग्रहैः ||६-१७-६७ – "Seeing your perseverance and the improper conduct of

Ravana as well as hearing about Vali having been killed and Sugriva anointed as king, he deliberately came here, with a desire to obtain the kingdom of demons. On consideration of this aspect alone, he is worthy of acceptance by us."

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Eight Excellences • अद्तलक्षिसंपरनं माधयुवगुिभपूषतम ्||६-११३-२६ बुद्ध्या ह्यष्टाङ्गया यकु्तं त्वमेवाहवभस भापषतुम ्– "You alone can utter these words, endowed with exceedingly

good attributes, embellished with a grace of style and filled with an intelligence, consisting of eight excellences.*"

• *1) Keenness to hear discourse on the Spirit 2) readiness to hear such discourses, 3) receptivity, 4) retentive power, 5) reasoning for and 6) against a proposition, 7) the faculty of comprehension and 8) realization of truth

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Final word(s) on Hanuman • तेजो धदृ्तयवशो दाक्ष्यं सामथ्य ंपवनयो नयैः | पौरुषन ्पवक्रमो बुपियवन्त्स्मरनेताद्न द्नत्यदा || ६-१२८-८२ – Sharpness, firmness,

renown, dexterity, competence, modesty, prudence, virility, prowess and intelligence are ever present

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Conclusion

• आयषु्यमारोग्यकरं यशस्यं | सौभ्रातकंृ बुपिकरं शभंु च | श्रोतव्यमेतन्त्रनयमेन सद्भ | राख्यानमोजस्करमपृिकामयैः || ६-१२८-१२५ – This narrative is to be

listened invariably by good people, seeking for wisdom, longevity, health, fame, fraternity, intelligence, welfare and brilliance.

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Bibliography

• Valmiki Ramayan Text from www.valmikiramayan.net

• Ramcharan’s Interview (by Steve Singer, HBR Ideacast)

• HBR June 2012 – Leadership is a Conversation by Gorysberg and Slind

• Peter Drucker on Leadership

• Pictures from various sources

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