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quality of a leader
> Guest contributors > What a leader should not do: Forgetting what leadership is about

What a leader should not do: Forgetting what leadership is about

Radhakrishnan Pillai observes, "If a leader cannot differentiate between what to agree and what to disagree with, he will always be in a tense situation."

Continuing from where we left off

Chanakya says, “Reasons for dissatisfaction of subjects: By Starting unrighteous injuries not current before, by indulgence in impiety and suppression of piety, by doing acts that ought not to be done” (7.5.19-26)

These are basically three more reasons cited by Chanakya which could alienate a leader from his subjects. First, if a leader starts harming others in a way that was not present before. Second, by indulging in wicked deeds and suppressing good deeds. Third, by doing the actions that should be avoided.

How does the leader know if he is doing the right things given above? Here are some tips for the same:

Never ever try to do any serious injury beyond the given laws.

Do not start new punishments

In every company or organisation, there are methods of punishing. For example, warnings and memos are issued. At times, employees are even suspended. But note that these are within the laws of the company. Never ever try to do any serious injury beyond the given laws. For example, never slap or hit an employee—even for a serious lapse or bad action on his part—in front of others. After all, this is not only a physical injury but also an emotional injury. Punishments within the right limits is always respected and honoured.

Be a person of character

We find that many leaders are hypocrites. They show a very different face in front of their employees, while their private life is generally not a very ideal one. As it is said, “The character of a man is what he is in the dark”. So a leader, even in his non-public life, should remain a man of great integrity. Be truthful to yourself.

A leader, even in his non-public life, should remain a man of great integrity.

Differentiate between the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’

This is the greatest quality that a leader should develop. While running an organisation or a company, there are times when the leader comes across conflicting situations. Sensitive issues like money, people management etc becomes his common topics of concern. If he cannot differentiate between what to agree and what to disagree with, he will always be in tense situation. To master this art, learn from those who are far more experienced or others whom we call the men of wisdom.

Always, remember that the well-known serenity prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr also applies to a leader when he walks into an office: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference!”

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