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Radhanath Swami’s Lesson in Leadership

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.

 

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185 replies on “Radhanath Swami’s Lesson in Leadership”

I always thought leadership was about being pro-active, very organized, and being ambitious.. it always felt stressful position to be in.. Its just amazing how maharaj has summarized leadership in a single quote – “Dont try to impress, but give love..” …i am touched!

Wonderfil lessonby Radhanath Swami. I am impressed by his nack to simplify things

HHRNSM is simply exemplary with his words, just amazing, haribol, rajesh karia

wonderful explanation given by HHRNSM about leadership and the qualities that a leader most possess, very inspiring, haribol, bhakti

Radhanath Swami is in the true sense, an Acharya, one who leads by example. This can be seen by the explanation that he gave about leadership, so simple and yet so profound. Very inspiring experience….thank you for sharing this. The last words mentioned by Radhanath Swami is most touching to the heart – “Don’t try to impress, but give love.”

Whataaaaa definition of leadership. Soooo different from material world. If every leader follows this principle then the full world will be Krishna Conscious.

All glories to Radhanath Swami.

Very nice experience. HH Radhanath Swami is always the best guide and relieve all pressures leaving only most pleasurable experiences. Thank you for helping us understand what is real leadership through a great leader HH Radhanath Swami.

Two beautiful lessons or quote I should say to be learned, ” Pressure is a privilege it only comes to those who have earned it ” and “leadership is about becoming a servant of those we lead”.

Very Very important message form Radhanath Swami
“Don’t try to impress, but give love.”

Is is so very imp to remember this quote of Maharaj wen v r handling big big services in temple… an eye opener

H.H.Radhanath Swami is a living solution for all problems in the world. He preaches by his own conduct.

radhanath swamis instructions are very simple yet unique due to his pure form of compassion towards his followers and believers,

Radhanath Swami is an expert. His sense of humor is amazing. And I’ll never forget the sentence, “Don’t try to impress, but give love.”

It’s amazing how Radhanath Maharaj makes problems look so simple. The way he summed up leadership in just one sentence is such a realization. thank you.

If advice of Radhanath Swami is considered and implemented leadership would become joyful rather than stress giving.

Amazing !

Amazing instructions.

Thank you so much Mataji for sharing wonderful expereince.

All Glories to HH Radhanath swami.

“Don’t try to Impress, but give love”
Maharaj explained Leadership in such simple words which even big seminars and thousand of books couldn’t explain…

All glories to H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaji. Through his instructions we learn a simple lesson: to serve everyone as servants by giving love and compassion.

Don’t try to impress, but give love…. too good, what else can be success of leadership. Thank you Radhanath Swami for such a wonderful lesson on leadership

Only Radhanath Swami can give sunch a paradigm shift to the management funda’s that we mug in bschools. He is excellent in this.

Thank you for sharing. Glories to Radhanath swami for enlightening us with the right

defination of leadership.

Excellent post! Maharaj is one such exemplary leader! He has always thought himself as the servant of whom he is leading!

“Don’t try to impress but give love.” H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj ki Jai!

many thanks for the inspiring story. many many thanks to Radhanath swami for the words of wisdom.

This message holds good for even family heads who lead their family members.

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