It is easy to get to the top but difficult to stay there. Once you are in a leader’s position, the whole dynamics of the game changes. It is a matter of maintaining your achievement. Kautilya was aware of this fact, and hence, guided the leaders in how to avoid his and his organisations’ downfall.
He points out, “Control over senses, which is motivated by training in the sciences, should be secured by giving up lust (Kaam), anger (Krodha), greed (Lobha), pride (Mana), arrogance (Madh), and over-excitement (Harsha).” (1.6.1)
A leader is carefully watched by every person around him. Apart from the external observers like the media and intelligence agencies, his team members also watch every move he makes. All his subordinates look upon him as a role model. Such a leader should be careful in his private as well as his public life. As Stephen Covey says in the book Seven habits of highly effective people, “Private victory leads to Public victory.”
A leader’s success is maintained by control over the senses. For this, Kautilya pointed out the following six negative aspects that need to be avoided:
Maintaining a cool head is very essential. A short-tempered leader is neither appreciated nor liked by his team members.
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