Bizpreneur Middle East May 2021 | Page 38

Through the

looking glass

38 | BIZPRENEUR MIDDLE EAST May 2021

BY DR RAMESH RAMACHANDRAN

A leader's biggest journey is the one within. With power abound and the temptation that comes with it, how do you continue to remain competent, vulnerable, generous, and happy in an exceedingly superficial world?  Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran former CEO and leader details his learnings along the way. 

 

The old saying goes, “Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.”

As we watch leaders around the globe, stumble, bumble and act out of line, in business, politics, media, or even academia -  we often laugh or cry, confused… wondering, “What in the world were they thinking?”

This downfall may be due to moral failings with others, or possibly, the incessant need for validation that accrues with an accumulation of wealth. However, nothing can truly justify or rationalize such failings.

From Boeing to Ford, The Guptas, Archegos Capital, McDonalds and Theranos, – the colossal breach of core values is, frankly, mind boggling. 

But why does it keep happening?

That too with individuals who should be the ideal embodiment of people skills, charm and strategic thinking? And how does one make sure they don’t fall prey to these speed bumps and craters of derailing behavior?

Accept that leadership positions, especially as you get higher up the ladder, can get very lonely, especially, if you are fortunate enough to become CEO. Even when blessed with a supportive partner and family, its still hard to handle the temptations borne out of ego and desire.

As a leader whose lived out many lives in the spotlight, here are a few essential tips I learnt along the way:

1. Look inwards

Self introspection is the first and easiest place to start the process of discipline. Find your purpose in life, your Ikigai, but do it methodically.

In fact, here are 2 course recommendations that I believe are essential at any stage of your career:

- “The Science of Well-Being” By Professor Laurie Santos- hailed as the most popular class in Yale’s 300 plus year history.

 

- “Justice” - By Professor Michael J. Sandel - the preeminent course on the fundamentals of social and criminal justice. Though the subject matter may sway heavily towards philosophy, i believe it is essential for all leaders to invest in.

 

Both courses are completely free to experience online and I have no stake in either.

By understanding the ethical conflicts of yore, and the art of diagnosing them today, coupled with a comprehensive strategy to find your purpose and subsequent happiness -  you will enliven your inner moral compass.

It will always point you in the right direction and help you consistently distinguish between the grey and red lines of ethics in your life.

2. Evil is a slippery slope

And that slippery slope is really slippery.

The human mind can rationalize a lot of evil. To some, corruption can be justified with a logical framework - that by being underpaid you need to resort to certain mechanisms in order to establish fairness, and the ‘everyone does it’ excuse is just the cherry on this unethical pie.

LEADERSHIP