Inspire Positivity

Yesterday morning, I came across a blog by Yogi Balkrishna in the Speaking Tree – Times of India, suggesting that in a tumultuous and rapidly changing world, leadership should transform to an ontological style. The author delved into ancient wisdom and its relevance to transforming one’s personality from egoistic or authoritative to ontological. Reflecting on my work as a writer, particularly when writing “Timeless Panchatantra in Contemporary Times” to expose young people to strategic thinking, I found this topic worth exploring further.

In the current global scenario, especially in a large and diverse country like India with its population of 1.4 billion, the question arises: Can ontological leadership be practically implemented by its leader? The challenges are multifaceted, including security threats that often necessitate a degree of alienation from the populace in daily life. Let’s explore how ontological leadership can be adapted and implemented effectively in such a context.

Ontological leadership focuses on the being of the leader—their presence, authenticity, and relationality. It emphasizes empathy, genuine connection, and inclusivity. This leadership style is fundamentally about leading by example and influencing through one’s way of being rather than merely through policies and decisions.

Challenges for Ontological Leadership in India

1. Security Threats: High-profile leaders in India face significant security threats, which can lead to physical and social distance from the general population.
2. Scale and Diversity: India’s vast population and diversity in terms of languages, cultures, religions, and socio-economic conditions make it challenging to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach.
3. Bureaucratic and Political Structure: The complexity of India’s administrative and political landscape can hinder direct and empathetic engagement with the populace.

Strategies for Implementing Ontological Leadership

1. Leveraging Technology:
   • Digital Platforms: Use social media and other digital platforms to maintain a direct and authentic connection with the people. Regularly share personal insights, updates, and interact with citizens to create a sense of closeness. For example, Narendra Modi’s ‘Man Ki Baat’ and his social presence and awareness is an attempt in that direction. But the sheer scale of it makes it a challenge to connect with everyone who might have a genuine issue. This necessitates a number of genuinely empathetic machinery of his personal staff to solve the problems of the people directly, genuinely adopting the leader’s style.
   • Virtual Town Halls: Conduct virtual meetings and town halls to engage with a broader audience, allowing for real-time interaction and feedback. But here too the population, size and diversity of the country are a constraint.
2. Building a Strong Team:
   • Empowering Local Leaders: Train and empower local leaders who embody ontological principles to act as intermediaries, ensuring the leader’s values and presence are felt at the grassroots level. But would all local leaders be as genuine as the Country’s Leader himself or herself? There is also a robust system of Ministries, Bureaucracy, Judiciary and departments who don’t wish interference in their domains. The best possibility is to agree on some rules of dealing with public taking aid of the social media platforms or by creating such specific platforms with regular process monitoring, evaluation and course correction with the intervention of PMO to bridge the gap between the virtual and real connect.   
   • Delegation with Accountability: Delegate responsibilities to trusted officials and ensure they uphold the same standards of empathy, integrity, and inclusivity. Delegation is unavoidable in a large country, but the million-dollar question still looms large-are all functionaries equally committed to connecting directly with people and genuinely interested in solving the issues in an unbiased manner?
   • Taking help of AI: For matters that have been hitherto the main concern of the public like the processes of development schemes of the country, tender process, prequalification of bidders, evaluation of tenders etc. that breeds corruption and hitherto notorious for this, involve robust AI models with the human evaluation teams requiring strong consensus to  overrule the findings and recommendations of AI model. This will promote public trust in the system’s credibility and genuineness.
3. Symbolic Gestures and Actions:
   • Visible Acts of Empathy: Participate in community activities, visit affected areas during crises, and engage in symbolic actions that demonstrate empathy and solidarity with the people. This is being done but sometimes the issues are too complicated and emotional and require deeper analysis before action. There should be machinery penetrating till the grass roots to carry out such an analysis discreetly and quickly to provide right advice to the central leader.
   • Inclusive Policy Making: Involve diverse groups in policy discussions and decision-making processes, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered.
4. Consistent Communication:
   • Transparent Communication: Maintain transparency in communication, especially during crises. Address the nation regularly to keep the populace informed and reassured.
   • Personal Touch: Share personal stories and experiences that resonate with the common people, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of connection.
5. Maintaining Authenticity and Integrity:
   • Lead by Example: Demonstrate integrity and authenticity in both personal and professional life. This can inspire trust and respect among the populace. But the effect is highly diluted if such actions are confined only to the top leadership. It should be agreed to and followed as a policy.
   • Ethical Governance: Ensure that policies and actions are guided by ethical considerations and the greater good, reinforcing the leader’s commitment to the welfare of all citizens.

To further delve into the issue, let us draw some guidance about leadership from our ancient scriptures. When I was writing my book, “Timeless Panchatantra in Contemporary Times”, I came across an interesting dialogue between the crow king Meghavarna and his veteran minister Sthirajeevi in the third tantra ‘Kakulokiya,’ we learn essential principles of good leadership:

श्रूयते हि पुरा राजन् नीतिशास्त्रविशारदः।

रघुना वसुधेन्द्रेण हितं वक्तुं व्यवस्थितः॥ (Panchatantra 4.27)

Translation: “O King, it is said that in ancient times, the wise and learned in statecraft were always ready to offer beneficial advice to the king.”

Interpretation: This verse sets the context for Sthirajeevi’s advice, emphasizing the tradition of wise counsel in leadership. It underscores the importance of leaders seeking and valuing the guidance of those knowledgeable in statecraft. A leader’s decision should not be influenced by personal bias and ego. They should make enlightened choices based on collective wisdom, acting with an open mind for the greater good of society.

Modern Leadership Examples

Reflecting on contemporary leaders handling crises, Jacinda Ardern’s leadership during COVID-19 stands out. Her ontological style, characterized by empathy, inclusiveness, and authentic communication, fostered high public trust and compliance, resulting in low infection and mortality rates in New Zealand.

In contrast, Narendra Modi faced the mammoth task of controlling a pandemic in a nation of 1.4 billion people, diverse in socio-economic conditions. His swift, decisive actions, including a nationwide lockdown, managing migrant workers’ panic, and implementing the world’s largest vaccination program, highlight a different but equally effective leadership style. Modi’s use of technology and social media to communicate directly with the populace, along with his symbolic gestures, show elements of ontological leadership, despite the inherent challenges.

Balancing Leadership Styles

अव्यग्राः कार्यकालेषु श्रीमन्तः सन्ति पण्डिताः।

आत्मानं यो न रक्षेत् स कृतं सर्वं वृथा॥ (Panchatantra 4.28)

Translation: “Leaders who remain composed during times of action, who are learned and affluent, but who do not protect themselves, render all their achievements useless.”

Interpretation: This verse emphasizes the necessity for a leader to maintain composure, wisdom, and resources while also ensuring their own safety. An ontological leader, by definition, will be composed and ensure sufficient resources to manage crises. However, an authoritative leader can also be composed and effective if they are receptive and adaptive.

Historical Insights

Late Manohar Parrikar, known for his simplicity and integrity, demonstrated practical, hands-on governance. His leadership style, though seemingly authoritative, was marked by deep commitment and humility.

Dr. Abdul Kalam, with his humble and genuine demeanour, epitomized ontological leadership through his commitment to scientific inquiry, inclusiveness, and empathy. His ability to connect with the next generation and address their aspirations with engagement and humility set a high standard.

Balancing Righteousness and Pragmatism

नालस्यं नैव दुर्वृत्तं नच कामवशानुगः।

नाप्रियं प्रियतामेति नृपतिः सततं जिता॥ (Panchatantra 4.29)

Translation: “A king who is not lazy, not ill-behaved, not driven by desires, and who does not seek what is pleasant but rather what is right, always achieves victory.”

Interpretation: This verse highlights the essential virtues of diligence, good conduct, self-control, and righteousness. Leaders like Dr. Abdul Kalam and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel exemplified these qualities, setting high standards with their integrity, professionalism, and humility.

Conclusion: Timeless Leadership Principles

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।

स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते॥ (Bhagavad Gita 3.21)

Translation: “Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.”

Interpretation: Effective leadership is about setting an example through one’s behaviour and presence, inspiring others to follow suit. Whether ontological or authoritative, the key is integrity, inclusiveness, and timely action. The effectiveness of leadership lies not in rigid adherence to a particular style but in the leader’s commitment to the overall welfare of the state and its people.

In conclusion, the minimum gap between intent and delivery is more impactful in leadership than the style of functioning, which could seemingly be authoritarian but with an honest intent to deliver promises with dharma and Vivek, or ontological like President Abdul Kalam or Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. Ultimately, it is the overall welfare of the state and its people that matters.