During 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.
185 replies on “Radhanath Swami’s Lesson in Leadership”
“Don’t try to impress, but give love.” Amazing statement. thank you very much
very inspiring article and wonderful statement “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” thanks for sharing and thanks to Radhanath Swami
very inspiring article.
very nice article.Thanks for sharing.
Very inspiring article…thank you for sharing
Really inspiring!
Radhanath Swami never tried to impress others but always very very loving has captivated everyone’s heart whoever has come in touch with him.
Very touching thought by Radhanath swam..to be a leader means give love and serve as simple….
v. inspiring- we need such incidents to motivate us!
Radhanath swami is a true leader
Only an exemplary leader could define leadership in this way.
Just be yourself. Don’t try to impress but give love – very instructive and inspiring
Thank you so much for these wonderful instructions.
Very nice incident !
Thank you so much mataji for sharing us.
Thanks for sharing this great experience.
Very nice realizations – Thank you so much for sharing
every word spoken by Radhanath Swami Maharaj as a message, we have just to follow it to perfect our lives
“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” I wish more leaders would adopt this approach.
very nicely explained about leadership.
What a deep lesson…this kind of leadership will last and transform lives!
Thank you for sharing your experience with Radhanath swami
I am sure everyone would love to be under such leaders who follow Radhanath Swami’s teachings.
Great lesson in a great setting! Radhanath Swami is the most magical personality I know 🙂
Very inspiring, thanks for sharing!
One should learn from Maharaj what it is to be a true leader. Very nice article. Thanks for sharing.
Radhanath Swami’s way of explaining anything, from a petty easiest thing to the most complicated ones is so unique that it is just perfect.
Radhanath Swamiji has a unique way of explaining how to serve and love in the mood of a servant.Thank you for sharing.
Jai
Inspiring!!!
Inspiring!!!
Inspiring!!!
Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki jai!
Thank you
Thank you. I will try to imbibe this in my life. Jai !!
Wonderful experience !
Thank you os much mataji for sharing the same.
maharaj’s words are just a reflection of the glorious life he has led.
nice incident
everyone is in a leading role in some or the other front in life…’not try to impress but give love for the welfare of others’,this is such an important principle to remember
Thank you Radhanath Swami.
nice article and wonderful lesson derived from it
Thank you very much for sharing the words of Radhanath Swami “Don’t try to impress, but give love”
Amazing advice from an amazingly unassuming person. Radhanath Swami ki Jai!
This is all together a new dimension meaning to leadership I am reading here. Becoming a servant of those we lead. I am going to meditate on this forever 🙂
very inspiring
I love the Body Rocking Laughter of HH Radhanath Swami.. Its soooo beautiful when he laughs!!! Nice Incident by the way… very inspiring indeed!
so inspiring..
“Don’t try to impress, but give love” — very instructive
Many thanks for sharing this beautiful exchange with Radhanath swami
thank you for sharing such a nice article.
very nice & inspiring!