6 Attributes of A Good Leader - From ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta

Hanuman Ji

ॐ नमो नारायण ! जय श्री कृष्णा

While discussing the 3rd chapter of Shrimad Bahvat Geeta, Acharya Shri Shivender Nagar Ji explained the Attributes of a Good Leader. Following is a record of my learnings from yesterday evening.

The discussion is based on the 2 verses from ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta, both are mentioned after the following the 6 points.

1. Visionary or Prescience: A good leader should be able to see the change before it happens. He Should be able to predict any inevitable major-minor changes. If you cannot predict changes in the future due to signs in the present then you cannot lead people.
   Like right now, due to the Corona pandemic, the gathering of large crowds may not happen for at least a year or two. So, anyone in the business of organizing or supplying to big marriages, or someone who wants to have a huge gathering at his party should really start to think of alternatives.
   
   
2. People will follow you: Acharya Ji quoted "Culture Comes from top and revolution comes from the bottom". This quote is applicable to a small family, big organization, and countries as well. People follow superiors, they will do what their superiors are doing.
   When India got freedom in 1947, the zeal, zest, and enthusiasm were so great and pure that if someone was caught taking a bribe, then people use to gather to see the convict's faces. Because it was an anomaly. At that time people of India were following their leader to greatness. But as time passed. The corruption tricked down from top to bottom. Now, people considered bribes as a normal affair. यथा राजा तथा प्रजा
   SMBG Verse 21, Chapter 3, Bhagwan Ji says to Arjun that if a superior being like you leaves the biggest battle of his life and becomes a sage then people will follow you and renounce their obligated duties.
   Sidharta left his home to become Buddha. Then millions of people left their homes to become just like Buddha. But there is only one Buddha.
   A true leader should be aware of this fact that people will follow him, hence he should set higher standards and the right example for people to follow.
   
   
3. Knowledgeable: If someone is running a Software development company then the owner or the manager must be aware of the business. Otherwise, the workers will confuse, misuse, and take advantage of not knowing. Ideally, the owner should be a master of the trade, but if not then at least should be aware of how the business runs.
   Acharya Ji told us that big hoteliers send their family members to other hotels in foreign countries for an apprenticeship, the intention is to gain knowledge.
   
    
4. Plan: Well thought plan is half work done. A good leader should be able to plan where I will be in 2 years, where my company will be in 5 years and where my country will be in 10 years. Set goals and plan to achieve them
   
   
5. Silence: Moun(मॉन) The oath of secrecy. 2 Ministers of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh and PV Narsimha Rao were able to rule our great nation only because they were silent. Bhagwan Shri Raam kept secrets from Lakshman and Bharat, which he proclaimed were part of him. Keeping secrets is the reason managers and leaders get separate rooms to work. Classified information for specific people only.
   Romans used to use alcohol to get the truth out of other leaders. Because by drinking alcohol people lose their restraints. Plato suggested that a leader should never drink.
   In simple words, if you have a tendency to speak your heart out with anyone, then you are not a leader.
   
   
6. Capacity to Punish: Irrespective of the fact that you may not and would not punish anyone, but a leader should have a capacity to punish. if you don't have the capacity to punish then people will not take you seriously. A manager who can give promotions can also terminate his employes. This capacity makes a leader.
   All Hindu Gods have a flower or a book in one hand and a weapon in another. Suggesting although I spread peace still I have the capacity to punish as well.

To conclude, people cannot be made leaders, the heir to a king or a big businessman can be made to sit on a seat of position. But he won't be able to lead. But people can learn to become a leader.


The discussion actually started while Acharya Ji was explaining Chapter 3 Verse 21 

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जन: |
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥21॥

Translation:

Whatever a superior person does, another person does that very thing! Whatever he upholds as the authority, an ordinary person follows that.

Also, Acharya Ji mentioned Chapter 10 Verse 38

दण्डो दमयतामस्मि नीतिरस्मि जिगीषताम् |
मौनं चैवास्मि गुह्यानां ज्ञानं ज्ञानवतामहम् ॥38॥

Translation

Of the punishers I am the rod; I am the righteous policy of those who desire to conquer. And of things secret, I am verily silenced; I am the knowledge of the men of knowledge.

ॐ नमो नारायण ! जय श्री कृष्णा