The Nine Lessons from Maryada Purushottam
- Vulnerability is Strength
- Duty Bound / Dharma is Divine
- In the Present (Now & Here)
- Harnessing the Potential
- Beyond the Comfort Zone
- Compassion to Accommodate
- Devoted to Commitments
- Self-Aware
- Empathy over Equity
Harnessing the Potential – (Not restricting the assessment only on Past Performance)
Three instances from Lord Ram can be seen related to harnessing the potential, first being in Kishkindha Kand when Lord Ram meets King Sugriva. King Sugriva’s past was not full of valour nor his behavior was apt for a King (when he was made a King after his brother Vali was killed, he in fact forgot his promise to send search parties to find Sita).
Second was Hanuman’s initial meeting with Lord Ram in Kishkindha Kand which was full of devotion but there is no reference or proof from his past that indicated he could deliver the expected during the mission of finding Sita Maa or fighting Ravan.
Third classic example is seen when Vibhishan, the younger brother of Ravan requests to meet Lord Ram in the Sundara Kand. No one knew what to expect; in fact, Lord Ram was advised by his council to be careful as he could turn out to be a spy.
In all the above cases one common thread that emerges is Lord Ram’s ability to Focus on the possible ‘Potential’ rather than restricting his judgement on their past ‘Performances’. We can infer another leadership trait that is ‘Check the Commitment to the cause and harness the same to its full potential’.
As a leader, we have been groomed to pick our teams based on their past performance rather than checking the ability/intent/competence to handle the incoming crisis. Sometimes, our lack of conversations with the team members at the very beginning of the project or mission to check their intent and commitment to the cause, which we all are attempting to accomplish, results in a huge mismatch. The difference between a hero and superhero is this valuable insight that is the Ability to focus on the potential and opting for someone who is committed to the cause.
By K. Srini
