Leadership Lessons from Goddess Durga

Navratri is the most exuberant and zesty festival. Goddess Durga is celebrated with an unmatched fervor at this time. She is one of the strongest links that noticeably binds this nation of diverse people. While the Goddess inculcates great devotion in us, she also offers us some very profound life lessons that hold a wealth of meaning even for the management world.

The word Durga, from the root word ‘Durgam’ itself, embodies fearlessness. Remaining true to our convictions in the face of each adversity, however, big or small it may be, gives us an unshakeable inner strength. The stronger we are from inside, the move fearless we are perceived on the outside. These three together go a long way in ensuring success in the long run. Goddess Durga rides a tiger, it’s a metaphor showing – a fearless being can go on to tame problems and situations even as fierce as a tiger and came out as the winner.

Durga Maa with her eight hands epitomizes the word ‘multi-tasking’. Multi-tasking not only saves time, but it also keeps us mentally active and agile. Multi-tasking makes us independent of the vagaries of time and resources. Notice any idol or statue of Goddess Durga – the most prominent feature that arrests our attention is her beautiful, calm and serene visage which sports big yet watchful eyes.

Big eyes are a symbol of having a 360 degree vision so as to know where one needs to reach. But just knowing the destination does not complete the journey. The watchfulness symbolizes a constant eye on your journey to your goal. While watchfulness is desirable, the Goddess serene visage also cautions to bear equanimity within us. A composed leader manger can accomplish much more than an agitated one.

Goddess Durga comes to us in 9 different avatars on the 9 days of Navratri. There is a very simple management lesson hidden here. Leader Managers be ready to don a different hat for different situations. Be yourself but adapt your style, tone, stance, manner and involvement as per the situation on hand. Just how one Goddess Durga binds millions of hearts and together in worship and faith – be the glue, the link that binds people together. Unravelers lose their reason for being very quickly.

Lastly, but most importantly, when all other powerful Gods failed to stop the unstoppable demon Mahishasura, the supreme being too had to take a form of Goddess Durga to vanquish the unconquerable. Herein lies the biggest lesson our society and management world can learn - leadership qualities and gender independent.