In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhishmachaarya continuing with his important accord on “Aapad Dharmam” wherein he explains which categories of friends we’ve to keep as close aides and which categories of friends we’ve to limit to specific purposes only. In these lines, Bhishmachaarya explains that the categories of “Sahaartha” and “Krithrima” should always be kept at a distance at all times, whereas the categories of “Bhajamana” and “Sahajan” can be encouraged into our close circles. However, the most important category called “Dharmatma” should always be our priority and should be kept as our most trusted aide. If we’ve to explain this in simpler terms for our understanding, the people who are trying to be opportunistic with us, should always be kept at a safe distance at all times. Whereas, those people who try to be with us during all happy and suffering moments can be allowed into our closer circles, and the ones who are ardent followers of “Dharma” and those who would only talk and perform actions pertaining to “Dharma” should always be our advisors at any point of time.
In leadership, this is an extremely important requirement for being successful. If we look at leaders who have been victorious (it can be across several domains like corporate CEO’s, political leaders across the world, sports leaders, etc.) over the years and who have stamped their authority in whatever they do, we will be able to see that their advisors would be extremely “Dharmic” in nature. When we say “Dharmic” in this context, we can equate this to dedication, hard work, and highly focused individuals. Only if a leader has such advisors who are extremely focused and dedicated, will he / she be able to give proper advice to the leader pertaining to several problems / situations. Whereas if opportunistic people come to this level of being an advisor to the leader, the entire mission would go for a toss, isn’t it? Hence, it is important for a leader to identify who falls under which category of “Mithra” and deploy them accordingly!
Moving on further thus, Bhishmachaarya is continuing his explanation on the four categories of “Mithra”. He says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! When you’re employing all the four categories of people, you should treat them differentially. You cannot treat all the four categories in the same way. Categories 1 and 4 – “Sahaartha” and “Krithrima” need constant monitoring. This is because the former is a one who constantly looks for something in return from you for whatever he does. Hence, chances are high that if he doesn’t get whatever he wants from you, he might start acting against you! The latter is even more dangerous – If you do not keep satisfying him with some sort of reward or wealth, he is going to ditch you at any moment! Hence, both these categories of people warrant extra bit of monitoring and attention from your end. You cannot be complacent and should not give them complete autonomy in any task. You should have the control in your hands, when you’re dealing with such people!”
Saying thus, Bhishmachaarya continues further thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Categories 2 and 3 – “Bhajamana” and “Sahajan” can be trusted, as they would stand by you at all times. However, they might not be as talented as you might want them to be and hence you’ll have to train them from time to time. Having said thus, you can be assured that unlike the previous two categories, these people might not ditch you so easily! Now when it comes to the category of “Dharmatma”, these people will need no monitoring from you at all! You can trust them completely – both in terms of talent and trust. You just need to give them the task and they will ensure that it is completed in the best way possible. However, Oh Yudishtra! You need to understand that if you start monitoring these people like the other categories, they will not like it! You’ve to give them autonomy in whatever they are doing!”
These are extremely important points of leadership which Bhishmachaarya is explaining here. In the modern day Management and Leadership context, we have all these points under the theory called “Situational Leadership Theory”. So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall take this “Situational Leadership Theory” along with Bhishmachaarya’s points forward for a more detailed discussion as we move on further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 