By: BK Sister Usha 
Source: The Daily Guardian 
Dated: October 26, 2024

There are many ways to define a leader. One is that a leader never reacts – they observe, understand, and analyse situations and then act decisively. If a leader is influenced by a situation and becomes excited or worried, they may not be able to make the best decision.

It often happens that someone in a position of authority gives directions to their subordinates, and their words are very clear, but their vibrations and body language send a different message. Those listening to them pay more attention to the vibes and the body language, interpret the boss’s message accordingly, and act upon it. What follows is an argument over what exactly was the direction given. Such disagreements create bad feelings, further eroding proper communication, cooperation, and trust among individuals. So, a leader needs to communicate clearly, and also be a good listener.

The second quality required for good leadership is availability. We may be physically present to meet people, but if our attention is elsewhere, we are mentally unavailable. We can see and hear others, but their words do not register on our mind, which is occupied with other thoughts. We can end up missing important information, and when we act on the basis of incomplete knowledge, the results are not what we expect.

Even when we are alert and attentive and understand all that is communicated to us, we need to be able to discern if the information is correct or not, have it verified if needed, and then take the necessary action. In the absence of accurate discernment, we can be misled by false information, or give it too much or too little weight. The resulting decisions will not be the best.

Tolerance is another quality required in a good leader. When working with a group of diverse individuals, we have to tolerate certain things in order to remain calm and happy, keep our relationships cordial, and have the work done smoothly.

A good leader should also have the power to adjust or adapt. Some people pride themselves on their ability to adjust to any circumstance and all kinds of people, but because of now knowing where to draw the line, they keep adjusting beyond reasonable limits and become victims of the situation. To adapt successfully, we need to know when and how to adapt, and to what extent.

Each of the abilities mentioned above is connected to an innate virtue of the human soul. Once we activate that virtue by putting it into practice, we automatically acquire the corresponding ability. 

To be a good listener, we must have patience; to be mentally available to our team, we need humility. Tolerance comes from love; this is why mothers are able to tolerate all the shenanigans of their children. Correct discernment and adaptability are closely related and they come from knowledge and maturity – once we understand a situation, we know when, how, and how much to adapt. The power of decision-making comes from mental stability. If the mind is under the influence of a weakness, we cannot make the best decision.

The values that underpin our different abilities are intrinsic to the human soul. When we recognise the fact that we are souls, and remember our original goodness, this new awareness begins to inform our thinking and behaviour. Regular practice of such remembrance strengthens our virtues, nurturing within us the qualities of a leader. When we go a step further and connect to the Supreme Soul, the Father of all souls, who is the Almighty, His power and virtues empower and enrich the soul. Over time, the soul becomes virtuous and strong enough to overcome all its weaknesses, developing into a powerful leader.

B.K. Usha is a Rajyoga teacher 
at The Brahma Kumaris headquarters 
in Abu Road, Rajasthan.