In the year
86, I have met one of the greatest leaders I have ever known. Much before I
heard of all theories and examples of female leadership, before I even thought
about studying the topic of leadership, she was already performing it, and very
successfully.
I then ask
myself: what went wrong with leadership?
News and social perception indicates a big lack of leadership in the world, and
I guess Dadi’s method could be used to recover a bit of that.
Dadi
Prakashmani was the leader of Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual university originally
from India, to which I am part for almost 40 years. Her smile and energy used
to motivate anyone just by seeing her and probably that is the first thing all
leaders should take into account: smile…
But I would
like to focus on her eyes, from which you would experience: you are the most important person in the
world and I am your friend.
Her eyes
used to see others’ specialties, even when they were wrong; of course she would
notice others’ errors and correct them, but the feeling was that it was like a
mother: I love you no matter what, but I
must correct you because I want you to be the best.
Last things
I could see in her eyes that could be helpful for any leader:
- There used to be a deep calmness that could calm us very deeply, more than anything we have experienced.
- At the same time, there was such a power; it was as if she was telling: you are going to win, don’t worry about that.
What
do you see in your own eyes, leader?