Radhanath Swami’s Lesson in Leadership
By It So Happened on June 20, 2011 | Category: Miscellaneous | Tags: belgaum, guidance, leader, leadership, love, Pressure, radhanath, Radhanath Swami | 185 CommentsDuring a press conference, former tennis great Billie Jean King was asked how she dealt with pressure, and she responded, “Pressure is a privilege. It only comes to those who have earned it.” This quote is one of my favourites, but it’s nonetheless hard when pressure gets on your nerves.
I remember. My husband and I were called upon to take a major responsibility some years ago. Bhakti Rasamrita Swami, the charismatic leader who developed a flourishing congregation of thousands in Belgaum, India, had moved out of Belgaum to answer an emergency elsewhere. The congregation, desperate for a leader, approached us. But how could my husband and I—even when put together—match the leadership calibre of Bhakti Rasamrita Swami? Fretful, I awaited an opportunity to seek the guidance of my guru Radhanath Swami before accepting the offer.
In my seventy-odd years in this world, I have often learnt lessons in the most informal settings. And this time I learnt one on a walkway. My daughter-in-law and I were on a stroll. Suddenly, we spotted Radhanath Swami walking out of Vrindavan Forest, his favourite garden in Mumbai, unaccompanied. My daughter-in-law probed me to grab this opportunity to discuss-out the Belgaum issue. So I walked to Radhanath Swami and burst out, “I am scared!”
“Are you scared of ME?” He first faked a quizzical look, before his body rocked in laughter. Even this initial exchange lifted half the pressure off me. “No,” I replied. “I am scared of taking up a leadership position.” I then went on to explain him my situation.
In the conversation that followed he explained how leadership is about becoming a servant of those we lead, it is about giving love to those we lead, it is all about being the best we can be—for the welfare of those we lead. “So just be yourself,” he concluded. “Don’t try to impress, but give love.”
The conversation lifted off all the remaining pressure.
–Kirtida Devi Dasi.
Vaibhav Sharma
Maharaj is ocean of spiritual wisdom and sweetness !!!
Ydas
Radhanath Swami is himself the walking talkign example of a leader who simply gives and is not trying to “impress”
sundar ananda das
very warm and friendly way that Maharaj calmed her down!
sarika
Very nice thank you for sharing
sreenath
Good Leadership principle..
Bharat
Useful for IITn’s
Radhasangi Devi Dasi
Radhanath Swami gives a very clear understanding of what leadership should comprise of.
Thank you for sharing
ramnika
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Haribol!
anand
wow 1 that was really a different and such an appropriate perspective of leadership. thanks for sharing this..
vraj
Thanks you for sharing this.
surekha
Thank you for sharing this article. Radhanath swami is showing how to be a good leader by his example.
vkarekar
“Just be yourself” what a nice way of easing the pressure
prasad
dont try to impress people but please them
Tallam Sita Ramaiah
“Leadership is about becoming a servant of those we lead, it is about giving love to those we lead, it is all about being the best we can be—for the welfare of those we lead. Don’t try to impress, but give love.” These words of H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj should make one humble who generally are proud of very small positions. Thank you Maharaj.
The conversation lifted off all the remaining pressure
SAILESH
Every leader must read this article.
so fortunate to hear this.
Thank you very much for sharing.
Haribol.
mohit bhatt
Don’t try to impress, but give love. the real key to become a successful leader. amazing statement
Vinay K
I liked the sentence ” Leadership is all about giving the love to one we lead “.
Thank You for posting this article..
sundar ananda das
Don’t try to impress, but give love
Pranjal Dixit
Thanks for sharing such nice pastime .
VAIBHAV
wonderful leadership principle
Vinayak
Radhanath Maharaj is the True leader leading our lives towards the eternal realm, which is the real goal of life.
deepak bagla
amazing article
anjan
A million thanks for sharing this wonderful incident of Swami Radhanath
bipin
All Glories To H,H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
How exemplary is this lesson of leadership. Only a spiritual leader can give this lesson of loving the people and being their servant.
Hare Krishna.
Manasa
Principle of Leadership!!
saurabh
Amazing lessons to apply. Thank you very much
harshad
Maharaj really means what He says and applies everything ! Fantastic answer
Jagannath Dham Das
Wow ! What an incredible lesson on Leadership by Srila Radhanath Swami ! “Don’t try to impress, but give love !”
Hare Krishna !
govind
very wonderful
Biswajit
Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai!!
vrushali
Very nice instruction by Radhanath swami about being a true leader.
Smriti Gupta
Very amazing pastime of Maharaj.
surekha
Thank you Radhanath swami for giving a wonderful meaning to the leadership that it is being a humble servant.
Rajeev
Powerful meaning of Leadership, thank you very much for sharing.
Vidya Patham
Thank you for sharing this wonderful lesson in the form of this pastime.