Self-control

Leadership Qualities                          

One of humanity’s most useful skills, without which advanced civilizations would not exist, is being able to engage our higher cognitive functions, our self-control, to resist temptations. Psychologists have found that self-control is strongly associated with higher self-esteem, better interpersonal skills and better emotional responses. Self-control is vital to success.

In an organization people who have good self-control tend to be more popular and successful and those with low self-control, though are at risk of under achievers.

Building self-control can be challenging, but it helps create change in life and manage impulsivity.

Feeling more in control of oneself can lead to feeling more in control of life, feeling more empowered, and help boost feelings of self-esteem.

Self-control is vital for overcoming obsessions, fears, addictions, and any kind of unsuitable behavior.

It improves relationships, develops patience and tolerance, and is an important tool for attaining success and happiness in professional and personal life.

One of the obstacles to self-control is lack of knowledge. By developing and strengthening the willpower and self-discipline, we can develop and strengthen self-control.

It makes responsible and trustworthy human being and a great leader in the organization.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

செறிவறிந்துசீர்மை பயக்கும் அறிவறிந்து

ஆற்றின் அடங்கப் பெறின். (123)

कोई संयमशील हो, अगर जानकर तत्व ।
संयम पा कर मान्यता, देगा उसे महत्व ॥ (१२३)

Explanation by Scholars

Knowing that self-control is knowledge, if a man should control himself, in the prescribed course, such self-control will bring him distinction among the wise.

அறிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டியவற்றை அறிந்து அதற்கேற்ப அடக்கத்துடன் நடந்து கொள்பவரின் பண்பை உணர்ந்து பாராட்டுகள் குவியும்.

Fearless leadership

Leadership Qualities                         

Leadership, by its definition, is creating a change for the better. To do so it needs boldness, courage, persistence, faith and fearlessness.

Most people spend the majority of their day by reacting and therefore operating from a fairly low level of their consciousness. They let events and their most reactive emotions drive their actions and their thoughts.

Fearless leaders are the opposite. Their courage makes them proactive and their mindfulness keeps them from reacting and provides them with better options, so that they can continue to operate from a position of self-awareness and goal orientation.

Fearless leaders influence others to become more fearless, more open to change, grow and adapt. They develop people, see their strengths and challenge them to fulfil their potential.

Fearless leaders are able to embrace their own failures, weaknesses and imperfections without using them as excuses.

Fearless leaders instinctively seek out growth opportunities and learning for themselves, their people and their organizations.

Fearless leaders see themselves as in service to others, to the mission of the organization, and to its many stakeholders.

A fearless leader masters the control of his mind by staying in the present and being mentally available and focused on positively engaging the situation at hand.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

அஞ்சாமை அல்லால் துணைவேண்டா எஞ்சாமை 

எண்ணி இடத்தால் செயின். (497)

निर्भय के अतिरिक्त तो, चाहिये न सहकार ।
उचित जगह पर यदि करें, खूब सोच कर कार ॥ (४९७)

Explanation by Scholars:

You will need no other aid than fearlessness, if you thoroughly reflect (on what you are to do), and select (a suitable) place for your operations.

ஒரு செயலுக்குரிய வழிமுறைகளைக் குறையின்றிச் சிந்தித்துச் செய்யுமிடத்து, அஞ்சாமை ஒன்றைத் தவிர, வேறு துணை தேவையில்லை.

Success, Failure & Courage

Leadership Qualities

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

The success and failure are cyclical and are part of life. Both are not permanent.

Striving to achieve a goal is part of the excitement, but what about when you do achieve it?  Is that the end of striving?

What we often don’t consider is that failure. It is not forever and we can recover from it.

What implications do success and failure have in common for those who experience them?  It is their ability to continue afterwards, which means they need courage.

In the face of disaster, when everything that has been tried has not worked, you feel dejected. Instead of feeling to run and hide, turn to actions with more immediate results.

Look for reasons to continue instead of making excuses. It is always going to be courage and the most compelling way to overcome fear. That’s really what holds many of us back.

Embrace life with all its challenges and uncertainties.

Looking ahead, no matter if the goal is easy or tough, no matter whether you doubt your abilities and strength, let alone perseverance and motivation, call upon your inner reservoir of courage to help you take the first step.

The best thing about courage is that it is constantly renewable, cannot be extinguished and fuels us most in the time of need.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

கேடும் பெருக்கமும் இல்லல்ல நெஞ்சத்துக்

கோடாமை சான்றோர்க் கணி. (115)

संपन्नता विपन्नता, इनका है न अभाव ।
सज्जन का भूषण रहा, न्यायनिष्ठता भाव ॥ (११५)

Explanation by Scholars: 

Failure & Success come not without cause. It is the ornament of the wise to preserve evenness of mind (under both).

ஒருவர்க்கு வாழ்வும், தாழ்வும் உலக இயற்கை; அந்த இரு நிலைமையிலும் நடுவுநிலையாக இருந்து உறுதிகாட்டுவதே பெரியோர்க்கு அழகாகும்.

Dynamic Leader

Leadership Qualities

Leaders help themselves and others to do the right things. They set direction, build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about mapping out where you need to go to "win" as a team or an organization. 

Leadership is not a position, it is the responsibility of directing  successfully an organization towards the fixed goals. 

With all precise planning, if there is no dynamic leadership, any organization will Collapse. The CEO/ Leader should have courage, generosity, knowledge, zeal and alertness.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

அஞ்சாமை ஈகை அறிவூக்கம் இந்நான்கும்

எஞ்சாமை வேந்தற் கியல்பு. ( 382)

दानशीलता निडरपन, बुद्धि तथा उत्साह ।
इन चारों से पूर्ण हो, स्वभाव से नरनाह ॥ (३८२)

Explanation by Scholars

Never to fail in these four things, fearlessness, liberality, wisdom, and energy, is the kingly character.

Courage, a liberal hand, wisdom, and energy: these four are qualities a king adorn for evermore.

அஞ்சாமை = Courage,   ஈகை = Generosity,  அறிவு = Knowledge,
ஊக்கம் = Motivation. 

Kural says:

தூங்காமை கல்வி துணிவுடைமை அம்மூன்றும்

நீங்கா நிலனாள் பவற்கு. ( 383)

धैर्य तथा अविलंबना, विद्या भी हो साथ ।
ये तीनों भू पाल को, कभी न छोड़ें साथ ॥ (३८३)

Explanation by Scholars

A sleepless promptitude, knowledge, decision strong: These three for aye to rulers of the land belong.

தூங்காமை = Alertness    கல்வி = Qualification

துணிவுடைமை = Capable to take strong Decision

நிலனாள்பவற்கு= CEO

Leadership Qualities

Leadership Qualities     

The five qualities of great leader are

Kindness: Strong leadership and kindness are not mutually exclusive and fit together effectively. The most successful leaders treat their team members with kindness. They realize that kindness is motivating.

Feel shy to blame others:

Leadership is not about blaming others, but realizing any blame levied should rest solely upon the leader. The best leaders will only point the finger at themselves. The truth of the matter is no victories are won by participating in the blame game. True leadership means having the courage to step up and accept responsibility for mistakes.

Self-discipline:
A leader tends to live by a set of rules or principles that he determines are appropriate for him and acceptable to his team. Self-discipline is the basic ingredient of self-control and the foundation of self-respect. He should be a role model for his team members.

Benevolent:
Benevolent leaders are those who create observable benefits, actions, or results for the common good. Benevolent leaders exemplify whole-hearted and genuine actions at work that benefit people around them. They all create an environment of open communication, honesty and confidence, delegating both minor and critical tasks. 

Truthfulness:

Leadership that is not deeply rooted in a foundation of truth is leadership destined to fail. The reality is that the best leaders are also absolutists when it comes to truth, they view truth as non-negotiable. Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says about five qualities of great leader.

அன்புநாண் ஒப்புரவு கண்ணோட்டம்  வாய்மையொடு

ஐந்துசால் ஊன்றிய தூண் (983)

लोकोपकारिता, दया, प्रेम हया औ’ साँच ।
सुगुणालय के थामते, खंभे हैं ये पाँच ॥ (९८३)

Explanation by Scholars:

Affection, shy to blame, self-discipline, benevolence and truthfulness are the five pillars on which perfect goodness rests.

அன்பு கொள்ளுதல், பழிபுரிந்திட நாணுதல், உலகஒழுக்கம் போற்றுதல், இரக்கச் செயலாற்றுதல், வாய்மை கடைப்பிடித்தல் ஆகிய ஐந்தும் சான்றாண்மையைத் தாங்கும் தூண்களாகும்.

Restraining Anger

Leadership Qualities

Anger has no place. It plays no role in leading your employees towards success – theirs or yours. Many companies are left scrambling to survive because  “leadership” is angry. You don’t get people to perform at their best when you spend your time beating them down.

Anger comes from one of a couple of places – insecurity, fear or mistrust.

When you're angry, people around you know it, no matter how hard you try to hide it. They'll react by fleeing, fighting or freezing. This behavior wastes time, energy and survival of the organization.

Anger always has the effect of damaging relationships—at home, at workplace.

Anger runs counter to every positive effect that leaders should try to create in their teams.

Aiyan Thiruvallur cautions the dangers of Anger

தன்னைத்தான் காக்கின் சினங்காக்க காவாக்கால்
தன்னையே கொல்லுஞ் சினம். (305)

रक्षा हित अपनी स्वयं, बचो क्रोध से साफ़ ।
यदि न बचो तो क्रोध ही, तुम्हें करेगा साफ़ ॥ (३०५)

Explanation by Scholars:

If a man would guard himself, let him guard against anger; if he do not guard it, anger will kill him.

தன்னைத் தான் காக்கின்  = If a man would guard himself

சினங் காக்க = let him guard against anger

காவாக்கால் = if he do not guard it

தன்னையே கொல்லுஞ் சினம் = the anger will kill him.

Let us resolve today that we will stop using anger as a leadership tool. Let us be a much better leader.

Pain & Pleasure

Leadership Qualities

Most of the time, we are trying to avoid what we perceive to be painful and try what we perceive to be pleasurable. As time goes on, our perception of pain and pleasure changes.

Every decision we make, the results are either short term/long term pain or short term/long term pleasure. The decision we choose to make will depend on how we interpret pain and pleasure in our life and our past experience.

When we make a decision based on gaining pleasure or avoiding pain, it is associated with the factors like, time, emotion, logic and survival which influences them to act. 

These are the things standing in our way and preventing us from moving forward.

People know that they are motivated to avoid pain and to gain pleasure. The individual levels of motivation depend on how much pain and pleasure a person associates with achieving or not achieving their goals and dreams.

A good leader maintains equanimity in pleasure and pain. Leaders should be resilient in their actions and should not be weakened by pain. 

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

இன்னாமை இன்பம் எனக்கொளின் ஆகுந்தன்

ஒன்னார் விழையுஞ் சிறப்பு. (630)

दुख को भी सुख सदृश ही, यदि ले कोई मान ।
तो उसको उपलब्ध हो, रिपु से मानित मान ॥ (६३०)

Explanation by Scholars 

The elevation, which even his enemies will esteem, will be gained by him, who regards pain as pleasure.

ஒருவன் செயல் செய்யும்போது துன்பம் வந்தால் மனம் தளராமல் அதையே இன்பம் எனக் கொள்வான் என்றால், பகைவராலும் மதிக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு 

அவனுக்கு உண்டாகும்.

Fair-Minded Leaders

Leadership Qualities

Employees have great admiration and respect for leaders in their organization. Good leaders can easily relate to other people. They can build strong rapport with others, which leads to their popularity. A good leader is unprejudiced, astute and passes impartial judgment, which is just an acceptable solution to all so that no further conflict arises. A leader is expected to be fair-minded and handle each decision in a manner that is respected.

A fair-minded leader analyses both sides of an issue and develops a resolution that is viewed by others as right. A good portion of being fair-minded is tied to how honest a leader is perceived to be. Fair-minded leaders are tolerant and non-discriminating, accepting and considering the views of others. They are true to their own beliefs without forcing them on others. Fair-minded leaders give everyone an equal opportunity to succeed, devoid of favoritism.

They treat bosses and subordinates with the same level of respect. They discourage any real or perceived favoritism that may result from conducting business with friends or acquaintances. Fair-minded leaders are empathetic, willing to walk in another person’s shoes before making a judgment. They climb the ladder of success, they lift up others and are genuinely happy for their success.

Fair-minded leaders employ clear and sensible thinking. They examine both sides of an issue before forming an opinion. They make decisions based on hard evidence and reason rather than emotion. They are free from personal bias and they disclose any bias before offering an opinion. Fair-minded leaders are tolerant and non-discriminating, accepting the views of others. They are true to their own beliefs without forcing them on others.

Being consistent and just will earn people’s trust and respect, so a good leader is always fair-minded and consistent in his dealings with all others, based on a personal code of values.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

தகுதி எனவொன்று நன்றே பகுதியால்

பாற்பட்டு ஒழுகப் பெறின். (111)

मध्यस्थता यथेष्ट है, यदि हो यह संस्कार ।
शत्रु मित्र औ’ अन्य से, न्यायोचित व्यवहार ॥ (१११)

Explanation by Scholars

That equity which consists in acting with equal regard to each of (the three) divisions of men [enemies, strangers and friends] is a pre-eminent virtue.

பகைவர், அயலார், நண்பர் எனப் பகுத்துப் பார்த்து ஒருதலைச் சார்பாக நிற்காமல் இருத்தலே நன்மை தரக்கூடிய நடுவுநிலைமை எனும் தகுதியாகும்.

Secret of Success

Leadership Qualities

We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and hard work.  Success is less often a straight line and more of a meandering journey with twists, turns, ups and downs. Some have navigated this journey and have become successful.

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what we are doing or learning to do.

If five things are followed  then success can be achieved.

• Having a great aim
• Acquiring knowledge
• Hard work
• Courage
• Perseverance

Courage and Perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says about the Secret of Success

ஊழையும் உப்பக்கம் காண்பர் உலைவின்றித்

தாழாது உஞற்று பவர். (620)

विधि पर भी पाते विजय, जो हैं उद्यमशील ।
सतत यत्न करते हुए, बिना किये कुछ ढील ॥ (६२०)

Explanation by Scholars: 

They who labour on, without fear and without fainting will see even fate (put) behind their back.

ஊழ் என்பது வெல்ல முடியாத ஒன்று என்பார்கள். துணிவுடன் சோர்வில்லாமல் விடாமுயற்சி மேற்கொள்பவர்கள் அந்த ஊழையும் தோல்வி அடையச் செய்வார்கள்.

Modesty

Leadership Qualities

Modesty means the quality of being unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one’s abilities. Modesty is concerned with standards of decency.  A modest person does not seek the spotlight, preferring to let their accomplishments speak for themselves. They do not regard themselves as special and rather let others recognize and value their modesty. Leaders should have a dynamic personality that compels everyone to follow them.

While having a captivating personality is essential, it should never cross the limits to become intimidating and bossy. Although a leadership position requires taking decisions on a daily basis, instead of trying to be superior to the team, if he becomes modest and down to earth, sure he will get better results.

Confidence is a great trait, but must be tempered with modesty. This quality can be a powerful tool for entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders who are willing to put the time and effort into developing them. The modest leader is quick to admit when he/she has done wrong and deals with the fault-out without casting blame or making excuses. They seek forgiveness when the mistakes they make impact others.

We all like to be recognized for accomplishments, but a modest leader is quick to divert attention to others, sharing the limelight for successes with those, who many times, may have even had more to do with the success than the leader did. They celebrate the success of others louder than personal success. A modest leader should not have an ego. Pride is a struggle for many leaders, but we must strive to bring Modesty to our leadership roles.

Modesty helps a leader make good choices while maintaining a levelled head. On the outside a modest leader might seem quiet and reserved, but to those who come to know them, they are intense workers who are obsessed about getting results.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

நிலையின் திரியாது அடங்கியான் தோற்றம்

மலையினும் மாணப் பெரிது. (124)

बिना टले निज धर्म से, जो हो संयमशील ।
पर्वत से भी उच्चतर, होगा उसका डील ॥ (१२४)

Explanation by Scholars

More lofty than a mountain will be the greatness of that man who without swerving from his domestic state, controls himself.

தன் நிலையிலிருந்து மாறுபடாமல் அடங்கி ஒழுகுவோனுடைய உயர்வு,

மலையின் உயர்வை விட மிகவும் பெரிதாகும்.

Patience

Leadership Qualities

Patience is too often overlooked as a leadership virtue, but outstandingly patient persons prove how valuable it can be to effective leaders. Leaders require patience because they deal with people, not machines.  Unlike machines, people have many quirks.  People are reluctant to change.  It takes patience to effectively work with people and accomplish the organization’s goals and objectives. Although there are appropriate times to be impatient and push an agenda, the astute leader knows that patience is very often his or her secret weapon in getting things done.

Patient leaders understand that having a purpose and sticking to it is essential for a meaningful change. They are open to change and understand the value in being accessible. Tolerant leaders know that intolerance stunts growth, while tolerance powers it. Patient leaders are independent and straightforward, cool and self-assured without being cocky and conceited.

Patience is not one-dimensional, but has several facets. Patience can be categorized into three competencies, ie., perspective, politics and persistence (3P’s). Perspective allows the leader to choose his battles and ultimately win the war, knowing that losing some battles is acceptable.  When he maintains his perspective, he can see the big picture and not get caught up in the small stuff.

Being attuned to the politics of the organization is the second essential facet of patience.  The successful leader must have a sense of the political environment in which he operates, and use good judgment in timing. A good leader will wait for the right time to make a proposal and use that timing to his advantage.

Persistence is the most important characteristic of patience.   Persistence is a great quality and one that we should all look to nurture. The ability to hold on or to get back up after we have been knocked down is essential for us to achieve any real success, because there will be failures along the way and it is how we deal with these failures that will determine the outcome of any endeavour that we undertake.

By gaining and maintaining the perspective of the job and the organization, by understanding the political climate, and by persisting with passion, the leader can practice and perfect his patience. Seeing patience succeed in the long run will be the best reward for his efforts.

Aiyan Thiruvalluvar says

நிறையுடைமை நீங்காமை வேண்டின் பொறையுடைமை

போற்றி யொழுகப் படும். (154)

अगर सर्व-गुण-पूर्णता, तुमको छोड़ न जाय ।
क्षमा-भाव का आचरण, किया लगन से जाय ॥ (१५४)

Explanation by Scholars

If you desire that greatness should never leave, you preserve in your conduct the exercise of patience.

பொறுமையின் உறைவிடமாக இருப்பவரைத் தான் நிறைவான மனிதர் என்று உலகம் புகழும்.

Kural says

மிகுதியான் மிக்கவை செய்தாரைத் தாந்தம்

தகுதியான் வென்று விடல். (158)

अहंकार से ज़्यादती, यदि तेरे विपरीत ।
करता कोई तो उसे, क्षमा-भाव से जीत ॥ (१५८)

Explanation by Scholars

Let a man by patience overcome those who through pride commit excesses.

ஆணவங் கொண்டு அநீதி விளைவிப்பவர்களை, நாம் நம் பொறுமைக் குணத்தால் வென்று விடலாம்.