Ignore and do it now - Start-ups slogan - leadership quality

While I was volunteering for an NGO called Keep Moving Movement, I met a co-volunteer named Gunjan Solanki. The founder of the NGO, Mr. Narendra Goidani, asked us to make our tagline that helps us to inspire ourselves and perform the tasks everyday. So, during our volunteer meeting, Gunjan spoke out her slogan or tagline "Just do it". Not just me personally, but all the 10 members in our group, listening to her, felt it so right. Though we read this tagline of Nike many times while we cross by the shop or buy those shoes, never it had touched my mind or heart. 

Well, why did the same phrase "Just do it" uttered by Gunjan is making my mind and heart undergo a change in my thought process? Because, I was, right then looking for an answer for all the criticism I have been facing, for all the hurdles and mind blocks I was undergoing. 

The answer is "Just do your job"

I was reminded of Dr. K. J. Yesudas's life story. K. J. Yesudas as we all know, is the synonym for the voice of devotional songs of Lord Ayyappa and Guruvayurappa. The emotion that he carries through the song mesmerises you and makes you travel along with him in his space. He was never attached to any religion. Only thing that he believed in was and driven by his dad was "learn Sanskrit, and classical carnatic music." His guru insisted on " giving the best and working the best". It was the news channels and other sources who made money on creating controversies and producing content about and around him and polluting the environment.

But Yesudas, he worked on and on and released as many albums as he could and he is still continuing to do his work.  Well, for me, the take away from him was "just do your work". What stayed with him during his tough times was his 'confidence on himself'. His knowledge and his action made him lose no hope. He just did it.

Every start-up founder is the action-result achieved after facing many hurdles and many thoughts. Can every start-up be successful? If no, why?  Is confidence taking a major toll on them? Is leadership role really understood and implemented? Is societal pressure draining them? Is fear acting on them?

But, is it that easy to put our knowledge into action? Does fear not come in between?  Let's see what Krishna has for us. What does Krishna say about doing work. What is Krishna's style of looking at fear. 

हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम्।

तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः।।2.37।।

hatō vā prāpsyasi svargaṅ jitvā vā bhōkṣyasē mahīm.

tasmāduttiṣṭha kauntēya yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ৷৷2.37৷৷

Meaning - If you fail, you will go to heaven. If you win, you will enjoy on this land. That's all Kaunteya, Son of Kunti. So, get ready for the battle.

I read it as, it is better you do however good or bad. At least you have a peaceful day that you did it. The heaven for me here is the peace I have in my mind. Whether succeeded or not succeeded, once the task is done,  for sure I am granted with peace, the heaven. 

Most of the start ups attitude arises out of this thought. I am again reminded of another great personality, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. I quote - "The dream that doesn't let you sleep. " "Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts transform into action" 

How should that action be..What should the leader's attitude be? Let's see what Krishna says in Chapter 3.

सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत।

कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्िचकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्।।3.25।।

saktāḥ karmaṇyavidvāṅsō yathā kurvanti bhārata.

kuryādvidvāṅstathāsaktaśicakīrṣurlōkasaṅgraham৷৷3.25৷৷

Meaning - Just as the ignorant, attached to their work, act, O Arjuna, so too the learned should act without any attachment, and only for the welfare of the world.

Your idea of your start-up should be an idea that brings in a good change for the society around you. If many lives are organically breathing your idea and work, that naturally inspires you to create more and work more. So, you are motivated to be attached to your mission rather than to your work. There is no detachment, but there is attachment to your mission. The first leadership quality. 

Well, how should the team management be - Immediately, in the next shloka Krishna mentions - 

 न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्।

जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्।।3.26।।

na buddhibhēdaṅ janayēdajñānāṅ karmasaṅginām.

jōṣayētsarvakarmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran৷৷3.26৷৷

Meaning - He should not bewilder the minds of the ignorant who are attached to work; rather himself performing work with devotion, he should cause others to do so.

 If the manager or leader is found attached to the mission, it is not possible for all the employees or co-founders also to get attached to the mission. So, the leader cannot demean the employees. The leader cannot confuse the employees. Rather, the leader can be an example towards devoting himself to the mission. This action makes many follow the leader. Infact, Krishna says, lead by example. Not by talking but by acting.

And now, how can you stay relevant in the market with your actions? Now, take a leap to the Chapter 5. What's Krishna to say about our mind and analysis of our actions. 

सांख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः।

एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम्।।5.4।।

sāṅkhyayōgau pṛthagbālāḥ pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ.

ēkamapyāsthitaḥ samyagubhayōrvindatē phalam৷৷5.4৷৷

Meaning - Children, not the learned, speak of Sankhya /Jnana Yoga or the analytical knowledge and Karma Yoga as distinct;  but the togetherness of both will give you results. 

Freshers cannot understand the culmination of theory and practical approach to the issue. But a leader should understand and stay relevant with the knowledge attained through the experiences. Analysis of the experiences and implementing the same  knowledge in action will make the start-ups stay relevant and successful.

This clarity given by Krishna can actually make us remarkable founders and not just CEOs and followers of the big MNCs. 

We shall discuss more on how ancient Indians were creators and founders. What is their understanding of the essence of scriptures and how they are relevant till now.

But, for now, let's enjoy this leadership learning from Krishna. Let's explore Bhagavad Gita and Let's implement our knowledge in action to stay confident all time.

 - Keerthi Peratla