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”
Thank you for sharing
Radhanath swami ki jai!!
Jai, Hari Bol
Maharajah is so inspiring, any so difficult situation he makes it so easy, Amazing definition of leadership
“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”.
great lesson on leadership, dont try to impress just give love…thank you maharaj!
Because Radhanath Swami is humility personified, everything is just so easy, simple and straight forward for him.m 🙂
Hare Krsna, Thank you v.much for sharing this experiance with Radhanth Maharaj.
YS’rohan
Maharaj has brought put a very valuable lesson for all leaders. Maharaj emphasises on Servant Leadership.
Very amazing lesson!!
Thank you for sharing!
Radhanath Swami lives what he speaks and the community he has developed is the live example of it.
Servitor ship attitude is the key of progress in spiritual life.
Radhanath Swami always emphasizes on being in the mood of a servant, especially for a leader. He once said that “overall coordinator” means “all over you” for you to serve!
And Radhanath Swami preaches what he practises for years – perhaps all his life.
Radhanath swami is teaching the lessons on leadership & demo we can find by seeing his life – an example like this one!
Such a precious lesson.
Thank you
If we follow Maharajah just this advise our life can be perfect
“So just be yourself,” he concluded. “Don’t try to impress, but give love.”
All of HH Radhanath Swami’s instructions are simple to follow and practical.
Thank you so much for sharing.Really Maharaj makes everybody feel comfortable & gives exact guidelines to follow for progressing on spiritual path.HH Radhanath Maharaj ki jai.
Our life will be wonderful if we follow in the footsteps of Maharajah,who distribute love to everyone instead of expressing it.
great experience.. thanks for sharing.. Maharaj gives the toughest to understand concept in such simple words.. JAI !
Thankyou for Posting!
Haribol!!!!Wonderful leadership tips by HH Radhanath swami maharaj. All glories to him.
Radhanath swami is a true leaders who makes other take up leadership roles in life.
What an amazing Quote – ” Dont try to impress but give love”. Radhanath Swami maharaj is a true such leader
Thank you for sharing so many wonderful examples in your story. Radhanath Swami shows by his example of leadership as love for those he serves.
That is so true. Because people don’t love you for your accomplishments but for who you are. So if the leaders exude love, that is what the followers reciprocate with
thank you maharaj for explaining about love.
very inspiring
Thank you Maharajah for explaining what is true
leadership about, just giving love to those we lead.
Amazing explanation of the meaning of being a leader from Radhanath Swami.
Leadership is about giving, not about impressing. What an invaluable lesson!
Great! It’s interesting that you learnt such an important lesson on leadership in a casual conversation with Radhanath Swami. This fundamental aspect of leadership is missed by many even after attending expensive seminars on this topic.
The word dont try to impress just give love is very impressive. Thank you Maharaji.
THis is an instruction for all management. Thank you for sharing.
‘To become leader is to become servant!!!’ such a seemingly contradictory statement?? When one takes leadership role, it means becoming boss..having power and becoming master..but here Radhanath Swami is teaching just the reverse…to become servant!!! This is the true key to success of a leader. If this mood kept intact, one can be the best leader in true sense and thats the reason of successful leadersip of Radhanath Swami. Due to his humble heart and genuine loving mood he is able to lead 10000s around the world so beautifully. GREAT lesson and in fact should be learnt by all the leaders.
” Don’t try to impress, but give love” This is the key of being a leader. GIVE LOVE Thank you so much for sharing this.
A very possitive and nice advice is given herein by HH.Radhanath Swamiji.Thank you very much for sharing with us.
thank you for sharing a nice experience.
Radhanath Swami has given such an amazing insight to the true meaning and essence of leadership.
Thankyou for sharing! Haribol!
A real leader—that is Radhanath Swami.
Thanks for sharing the experience with Radhanath swami.
Radhanath Swami has a good snse of humor & he applies it at opportune times to ease out nervousness in herats of those around him.
He also has a perfect understanding of what leadership means to be – very sincerely trying to serve & please those whom we lead.
Just amazing way of answering questions.
Guru is the leader of all so called leaders. All glories to Radhanatha Swami.
Radhanath Swami has amazing ability to pacify his followers in such a way that his all presuure vanishes in just a second’s conversation.
Great insight
This reply by Radhanath Swami is in direct contrast to what people take up leadership in today’s selfish world. The world today needs the farsightedness of selfless personalities like Radhanath Swami to bring everlasting peace and prosperity.
simple but a deep statement
What a beautiful management lesson taught by Swamiji…..quite different from today’s leaders who are motivated by lust & greed….