उत्साहः पौरुषं सत्त्वमानृशंस्यं कृतज्ञता।
विक्रमश्च प्रभावश्च सन्ति वानर राघवे।।
— Valmiki Ramayan 5.37.13।।
Maryadhapurush Ram exhibited seven effective leadership traits which are Enthusiasm, Fearlessness, Goodness, Kindness, Gratitude, Commitment to work and Prowess as told by Sita Maa to Hanuman when Hanuman met her at Ashok Van.
When you think of an sucessful “leader,” many people conjure up a vision of someone aloof, stern, and task oriented. But that sort of behavior does not work in the real world. What does work then? Kindness. Being kind as a leader is essential for building solid relationships with others and creating a positive work environment. Kindness in leadership can manifest itself in various ways, such as being empathetic, providing support, recognizing accomplishments, and fostering collaboration.
Why is Kindness important for a good leader?
- Kindness has a direct impact on the morale and motivation of employees. It creates a positive culture where people feel valued, supported, and respected. When employees feel genuinely appreciated, they are more likely to be productive and motivated. Kind leaders make time to praise their people and celebrate wins, both big and small.
- Kind leaders foster a culture of cooperation and teamwork. They understand that everyone has unique skills and strengths and that working together leads to better outcomes. Kind leaders encourage open communication and collaboration, creating a more harmonious work environment. Leaders who exemplify kindness make it safe for people to speak with candor. They build a culture of psychological safety.
- Kind leaders develop strong relationships with their employees, which leads to increased team member engagement and loyalty. Employees who feel connected to their leaders are more committed to the organization and its goals. The most significant factor in retaining top talent is that they work for a leader they trust, respect, and admire.
- Kind leaders set a positive example for others to follow. Their kindness and positive attitude towards others trickle down and influence people across the business to adopt the same behaviors. This creates a virtuous cycle of kindness that benefits the entire organization. They also understand the importance of “symbol management.” Doing little things that exemplify the values of the organization.
Lord Ram was a role model for showing exemplary kindness. He listened to the sanguine advice from his army. He earned complete trust and respect from the entire vanara sena. This has come out in many slokas in Valmiki Ramayan. That is one of the reason that he could defeat the mighty army of Ravana with the help of the primitive vanara sena.
Some so-called “leaders” think kindness, love and gratitude show weakness. It’s just the opposite. It is a sign of courage. The courage to be authentic.
A story on Rama’s compassion in the next episode.
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