Leadership Wisdom: Lessons from Sikhism

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shall attain his Lord and Master”(SGGS-286) and “Through selfless service, eternalpeace is obtained. The Gurmukh is absorbed in intuitive peace”(SGGS,125).According to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, “That is selfless service, which pleases God,and which is approved by God” (SGGS, 757). Sri Guru Granth Sahib advises, “Centeryour awareness on seva-selfless service-and focus your consciousness on the Word ofthe Shabad” (SGGS,110) because “Selfless service is the support of the breath of life ofthe Gurmukh”(SGGS,229). Without selfless service, no one obtains any reward(SGGS,354) but in egotism, selfless service cannot be performed, and so the soul goesunfulfilled(SGGS, 560). However, if he eliminates his self-conceit and then performsservice, he shall be honoured. O Nanak, if he merges with the one with whom he isattached, his attachment becomes acceptable (SGGS,474). The Guru avers, “Byselfless service, they find the Lord, while ashes fall on the heads of the slanderers”(SGGS, 733). Thus, they who rid themselves of their selflessness are ever in bliss andalways beauteous.7.6 The Value of Stewardship:Stewardship means being in charge of something that is entrusted to us, but notour own possession. Leaders are the steward of the organisations they serve and at thesame time are also responsible to all the stakeholders of the organisation. They aresupposed to exercise every care in the management of their organisations. In anorganizational context, stewardship refers to leaders‟ responsibility to properly utilizeand develop its resources, including its people, its property and its financial assets.Stewardship is a principal taught in Christianity and Islam, stemming from the belief thatGod is the ultimate owner of everything and one is accountable to God for the care anduse of those possessions. Sri Guru Granth Sahib points out, “The Lord always looksafter and cares for all His beings and creatures; He is with all, near and far”(SGGS,1315). A leader is expected to play that kind of stewardship for all concerned.The activities of business enterprises affect a wide spectrum of the society. Theresources they make use of are not limited to those of the owners but many people whoare in no way connected with the enterprise feel the impact of their operations also. Themost important mission for a successful leader is to develop a healthy relation with allstakeholders. Sri Guru Granth Sahib pointing to this desirable conduct says: “ThisTownship (of the body) is maintained by truthfulness, contentment, chastity, charity andself-control all-too-naturally, one is then met with the life of life”. And “Those who havetruth as their fast, contentment as their sacred shrine of pilgrimage, spiritual wisdomand meditation as their cleansing bath, kindness as their deity, and forgiveness astheir chanting beads- they are the most excellent people” (page-1245).Sri Guru Granth Sahib declares that the purpose of human beings is to achieve ablissful state and to be in harmony with the earth and all of God's creation. The Guruhighlights: “The Lord infused His Light into the dust and created the world, the universe.The sky, the earth, the trees, and the water - all are the Creation of the Lord”(SGGS,723). And "Air the vital force, water like the father, and earth like the greatmother. Day and night are like nurses caring for the whole world in their lap” (SGGS,8).The Guru suggests: “Make this body the field, and plant the seed of good actions. Waterit with the Name of the Lord, who holds the entire world in His Hands. Let your mind be
the farmer; the Lord shall sprout in your heart, and you shall attain the state ofNirvana”(SGGS,23). Sri Guru Granth Sahib guides by saying: “Let mercy be yourmosque, faith your prayer-mat, and honest living your Koran. Make modesty yourcircumcision, and good conduct your fast. In this way, you shall be a true Muslim. Letgood conduct be your Kaabaa, Truth your spiritual guide, and the karma of good deedsyour prayer and chant. Let your rosary be, that which is pleasing to His Will. O Nanak,God shall preserve your honor.”(SGGS,140)8. Conclusion:The study is a brief summary of the wisdom and vision contained in Sri GuruGranth Sahib in connection with the six core values of ethical leadership which guidesthe business leaders to manage the affairs and activities of the business in a mannerwhich is beneficial to the society at large. It is no denying the fact that all life isinterconnected and all the constituents of this universe and the planet earth aredependent upon each other. The wisdom of Sri Guru Granth Sahib if imbibed can formthe basis of ethical leadership. These values when manifested in thoughts, speech andactions ennoble and enlighten the people. It provides us a great legacy that we can beproud of. It provides internal fulfillment and upliftment. It calls for the alignment ofthought, word and deed and motivate us to create a leadership culture of conscience,care and consciousness. It takes us to spiritual heights without hampering any materialpursuits. It avers that spirituality and materialism can go together because spiritembraces matter and matter finds its own true reality and the hidden reality in all thingsin spirit. So spirituality should have a touch of materialism and materialism should havea halo of spirituality. To conclude it can be said that in the happiness and well being ofthe people lies the well being of the business leaders and in the welfare of the peoplelies the welfare of the business leaders.References:1. Brammer, S., Williams, G. and Zinkin, J.: 2007, Religion and Attitudes toCorporate Social Responsibility in a Large Cross-Country Sample, Journal ofBusiness Ethics 71, 229–2432. Brown, M.E., L.K.Trevino and D.A.Harrison:2005, „Ethical Leadership: AsocialLearning Perspective for Construct Development and Testing‟, OrganizationalBehavior and Human Decision Processes 97,117–134.3. Chakravarty, Ajanta E., The Geeta and the Art of Successful Management, NewDelhiRupa & Co, 2005.4. Den Hartog, D.N. and A.H.B.DeHoogh:2009, „Empowerment and LeaderFairness and Integrity: Studying Ethical Leader Behaviour‟, European Journal ofWork and Organizational Psychology 18,199–230.5. Dickson, M.W., D.B. Smith, M.W. Grojean and M. Ehrhart: 2001, „AnOrganizational Climate Regarding Ethics: The Outcome of Leader Values andthe Practices that Reflect Them‟, Leadership Quarterly 12,197–217.
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Leadership Wisdom: Lessons from Sikhism

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