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Here are some key qualities and character traits that make a great leader. Nurture
them in you and shine as a leader even during these tough times of tight budgets,
higher stresses, and other challenges.
A Good leader creates more leaders
There are some who are born leaders; there are others who become leaders when they come
in contact with good leaders. One of the signs of a good leader is that he creates more leaders,
not just followers. He takes good care of those whom he is leading. He delegates
responsibility.

Leads by example
Another sign of a good leader is that he leads by example. Instead of just issuing orders or
asserting his leadership, he shows the way by first doing things himself. He does not consider
himself to be better than everybody else and feels a sense of belongingness with the team he
leads.
Does not worry about position
A good leader is well aware that the respect he gains through virtues is very different from
the respect acquired through the position he enjoys. He knows that the respect brought by
position is short-lived and temporary. Being the chairman of a committee or a president of
another are temporary phases. Positions come and go. But the respect that he gets for being a
nice person, for his virtues and attitude, is authentic and long-lasting.

Has sharp observation, perception, and expression

A good leader takes the responsibility to ensure that people understand what he wants to say.
To express yourself effectively you need the right observation and perception. This depends
on your ability to see the situation from other peoples’ points of view and get a multi-
dimensional understanding of a situation or a person. When a leader develops the patience to
listen keenly to those working under him, his power to express himself grows naturally.
Spiritual practices bring centredness, patience, and sharpness in observation, perception and
expression.

Focused on goal and does not cling to the means

While leading a project, it is important to acknowledge different means of achieving the goals
so that you are not stuck with one plan. Give an ear to others. If one plan does not work, be
prepared to implement the next and if even that is not effective try out a different approach. A
successful leader is one who does not cling to the means; he is more focused on reaching the
goal. He does not lose sight of the goal. When challenges come remember that you are bigger
than any challenges you face. Recalling this fact, ‘I am bigger than the challenges that are in
front of me’, will give you enormous confidence and energy to sail through tough situations.

Competes with oneself and not with others

One who is centred and has a broad vision doesn’t look at others for comparison or
competition. You only have to enhance your own creativity. If at all you want to compete,
just compete with yourself — see how well you did last year, how much more you want to do
this year. Focus on enhancing your own capabilities. It is like running a race — when you
run, you should not look to your sides. If you do, trying to see who is running faster, then you
will lose the race. Your eyes should be focused only on your track and you should give your
100%. And then, you will see that whether you win or lose, you are happy.

Welcomes Criticism
One of the most desired qualities of a true leader is the courage to stretch his hands to his
critics and have the patience to listen to them. Don’t shy away from criticism. Everyone
should have the ability to take criticism and give criticism. Be open to criticism from others.
If there is any substance in their criticism, take it or else laugh it off. At the same time be
ready to give constructive criticism wherever, whenever needed.

In the world, we see so many successful people who do not

meditate. We also see many meditators who are not successful in
terms of name, fame, money, achievements, etc. How do we
explain this?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: 
Well, what do you call a success? Is it just having a big bank balance?
People may have had a lot of fame and name, and a big bank
balance, but they may be unable to smile, or they may not be having
a good night’s sleep, and many cannot enjoy their meal. Do you
know that?
To me, success is the undying smile on someone’s face. To me,
success is the confidence in a person that he can win, that he can
overcome any obstacles, or any situations in his life.
That is success! Look at some of the wealthy people, they are so
scared of even making friends with anybody. They think that their
friends are just there for their money. They get into that state of
paranoia. Do you call this success? There are many so called famous
people, that even if you squeeze them, there is not an iota of joy in
them. I don’t call it success.
Well, if you want to be successful and famous, you can do all that,
but you have to keep a healthy body and healthy mind. For that, you
need to meditate my dear! Meditation is not a direct way to success.
It is like watering the root of a tree. When you water the roots, then
there are fruits, are flowers and greenery. If you don’t want to
meditate, don’t meditate. There is no compulsion. Get thoroughly
stressed, and be stressed. If stress can bring you success, well, you
should go for it. Who asked you to meditate?
Wake up, please wake up. Meditation is not an obstacle for you to be
dynamic and successful in your life. In fact, it helps you. If some
people are meditating and they are not successful, it is their choice.
How do you run The Art of living in 155 countries at such a
pace and with such peace?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: 
I simply don’t run them at all. (laughs). That is the secret - it all
happens with some divine law. See, knowledge has organizing
power. If you are in knowledge, then everything happens. When
you are in a center, the circumference is already there. When you
are centered, you are equi-distant from every point in the
circumference. So when you are centered, it has tremendous
organizing power because the centeredness itself will bring it to you,
and that is knowledge. Self knowledge has organizing power
because the higher self has organized this entire universe in its
perfection.

Why don’t you ask me - why are these hibiscus flowers all so perfect
in their color and in their texture. There are millions of hibiscus trees,
and millions of hibiscus flowers blossoming. The jasmine is
blossoming and are so perfect. The fragrance of the little flowers are
the same way throughout. Why don't you ask me how is that this
coconut is so nice and tender with such sweet water! There are a
million things and zillion things to be amazed about in this creation.
And you see that power, that consciousness which is the basis of
whole creation, has tremendous organizing power and infinite
knowledge. When we are with it, it manifests within us also. A little
bit here and there.