Forgiveness

Leadership Skills

Secret of Great Leadership

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong” 

              - Mahatma Gandhi.

Forgiveness is a bold leadership skill. It is a muscle that we can all strengthen with intentional effort. Great leaders recognize their role in helping others forgive someone who has disappointed them.

They acknowledge the trauma, harm, and injustice that their organization members have experienced, but they define the occurrence of hurtful events as an opportunity to move forward. Instead of settling scores, great leaders make gestures of reconciliation that heal wounds and get on with business.

Forgiveness is not a weakness or a retreat. It is a gift that requires strength and the ability to create transformational change. Forgiving individuals experience positive outcomes such as greater life satisfaction, empowerment and self-esteem. It also reduces anxiety, depression, anger, and physical illness.

Forgiving organizations experience more trusting alliances, social capital, and humanity in the workplace, productivity, quality, customer care, and a sense of calling among employees. Forgiveness is active not passive. It involves not only the cancellation of negative emotions and attitudes, but also the development of positive emotions and attitudes. Forgiveness restores hope and productivity in the workplace.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

அகழ்வாரைத் தாங்கும் நிலம்போலத்  தம்மை

இகழ்வார்ப்  பொறுத்தல் தலை.(151)

क्षमा क्षमा कर ज्यों धरे, जो खोदेगा फोड़ ।
निन्दक को करना क्षमा, है सुधर्म बेजोड़ ॥ (१५१)

Explanation by Scholars:

To bear with those who revile us, just as the earth bears up those who dig it, is the first of virtues.

தன்மீது குழி பறிப்போரையே தாங்குகின்ற பூமியைப்போல் தம்மை இகழ்ந்து பேசுகிறவர்களின் செயலையும் பொறுத்துக் கொள்வதே தலை சிறந்த பண்பாகும்.

குறள்;

பொறுத்தல் இறப்பினை என்றும்  அதனை

மறத்தல் அதனினும் நன்று. (152)

अच्छा है सब काल में, सहना अत्याचार ।
फिर तो उसको भूलना, उससे श्रेष्ठ विचार ॥ (१५२)

Explanation by Scholars:

Bear with reproach even when you can retaliate; but to forget it will be still better than that.

அளவுகடந்து செய்யப்பட்ட தீங்கைப் பொறுத்துக் கொள்வதைக் காட்டிலும், அந்தத் தீங்கை அறவே மறந்து  விடுவதே சிறந்த பண்பாகும்.