Leadership of Jangchubsempas

When you think of a good leader, what kind of image comes to your mind immediately? A commanding figure. A powerful person. A fearful person. I asked a couple of my friends. Usually, the image that seems to cross our minds is of a person giving directions and instructions to others. In this, the leader is seen as someone in charge, controlling and directing. More often than not, this person is sturdy and has good looks. The chances are the person is a male[We normally associate leaders with males. This is another issue; we will not dwell on in this paper. ]. This is us. I do not think that we are very different from the rest in this aspect. I have a feeling, we represent the majority pretty well at least in our perception of a good leader. A leader in a normal circumstance is seen in front of the followers. Our concept of leader is someone in front. Can a leader lead from else where but the front? Does a leader have to be always visible and giving directions? Is the leader always dragging people towards him or her?

There are evidences from literature that a leader is not always in front and not always dominating. Most of the literature that we normally refer to is western. Therefore, we can use the escape clause and say that it is not relevant to our context and culture. Therefore, lets look at our own context and culture. In the following sections, I will make an attempt to present three different styles of leadership from a Buddhist literature. I will be referring to Kunzang Lama’i Shelung in this.

Let us take the Jangchubsempas( A being who is practising Bodhisattva path (Byang Chub Sems Dpas)) as leaders and their working as the styles. There are three different categories of Jangchubsempas; the way of king, boatman and shepherd. These can be categorized as leader in front (king), leader with the followers (boatman) and the leader behind the followers (shepherd).

The King’s Way

“A king’s first priority is to overcome all his rivals … and proclaim(s) himself sovereign. Only after that does his wish to take care of his subjects come into effect.”[From ‘The Words of My Perfect Teacher’, Kunzang Lama’i Shelung ] A king looks towards his own interest at first. He establishes himself, gains power and authority with the aim to help his subject. His power to help others comes from his being the king. In this way, the king leads from the front. He has been there (a place of comfort) and wants to help others to reach there. The source of power in this instance is not from the followers but from the position. The language the king uses is “follow me”, “come,” or “let me help you.” The people see the leader and know that he has the authority to lead and direct. People see what he has achieved. There is confidence because people know that the king knows (has knowledge) the way and has resources (skill) to help others. His achievement is the undisputable fact as every one can see for themselves.

The king stoops down to help. There is a big difference between the king and the subjects.

Boatman’s Way

“A boatman aims to arrive on the other shore together with all his passengers.”[Kunzang Lama’i Shelung ,ibid] A boatman initiates. He is concerned for the followers. His concern for the follower takes care of himself also. The followers’ and the leader’s goal is the same. He is together with the passengers. He identifies with the followers as he is with them through thick and thin. Here again, the leader has the knowledge (knows the way) and resources (skill and a boat). The leader is trusted because the leader has endured the heat together with the followers. The leader’s language will be “we.” He will be saying, “let us go”, “let us do it.” The leader is seen struggling and working in the process of leading the people. He leads with the people.

The Shepherd’s Way

“Shepherds drive their sheep in front of them, making sure that they find grass and water and are not attacked by wild beasts.”[Kunzang Lama’i Shelung ,ibid] A shepherd has the concern of the sheep as the prime goal. He knows the terrain (environment) and drives the sheep in front of him. He rests only after his sheep are safe, settled and grazing in green pastures. This leader cares for the followers. He wants the followers to be there before he can rest. It is the utmost desire of his heart. He leads from behind.

Who is a better leader?

According to Kunzang Lama’i Shelung; the King’s way is called “arousing bodhichitta with great wish”, the boatman’s “arousing bodhichitta with sacred wisdom” and the shepherd’s “arousing of bodhichitta beyond compare.” The shepherd’s style is considered the best. Jampelyang (jam dpal dbyangs)[A bodhisattva', an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom] is supposed to have attained enlightened by this method. The boatman’s style is ranked second. Jampa (byams pa), the future Buddha is said to be enlightened by this way. Let us compare and contrast these three styles.

Commonality

These three leaders have a lot in common despite the different approaches they adopt. There are three important elements common to them. They have the competence in the form of knowledge, skills and attitude, which the followers are aware. They possess clear and a beneficial goal, and a compassionate heart.

Competence

A leader not only has to have the competence but also should appear to have it in front of all. The people will immediately ask, “who is he?” before following. They would like to know if the person who claims to lead has the adequate knowledge or skills.

In the above instances, all the three leaders have the competence and people know it. The king’s competence is seen in his being the king. He has achieved success, as stated earlier. The same success that he has achieved will be made available for others. In other words, the king will help others to reach his stage.

The boatman has the means and resources (boat), and the skill to row. The people can see him and his boat. The shepherd’s call, strength and speed are there for the sheep to see. The sheep can see him saving sheep from danger and guiding towards the pasture. Therefore, before followers start following, the competence of the leader is questioned, checked and affirmed. Only then, would other considerations follow.

Beneficial Goal

The next important factor is the beneficial goal. Some literature use vision. The leader has the skill and knowledge but does he know where we are supposed to go? All the above three leaders have clear goals. They know where they are going. The goal for the Jangchubsempas is to liberate all beings. It has the interest of the followers in the centre. People know it will benefit them. We often assume that having a goal is enough. We hardly give it another thought.

However, this goal has to be inspiring and should draw others to it. What makes a goal inspiring? It is the challenge of working towards it and more importantly, it is the benefit derived as a result of achieving it. How will the followers benefit? This is crucial. That’s why I have termed it as beneficial goal. For some, it could be just some material benefit but to others a sense of self-actualizations. This could differ. Therefore, the skill of the leader is to set a goal, which appeals to all and spark their hearts on fire. It is for their good. The goal of the leader and the follower is the same. The destination is clear.

Love translated in Service

All the above leaders love their followers. Their concerns form the centre of their activity. He leads (through beckoning, driving and moving) the people towards “goals of beneficial permanence.” This “love sets a true leader apart from a power holder.” To paraphrase John Edmund Haggai, love is active, serving and sacrificing. A boss or commander rules by fear but a leader leads with compassion. People follow. In fact, people love to follow. There is commitment. They follow with heart after starting with the head. Love and compassion are the essence of Jangchubsempa. These are the bedrock of Buddhism and of the major religions of the world. This is crucial for today’s leaders.

Difference

The strategies adopted by the above leaders are different even though the final destination is same. These strategies differentiate their leadership styles; leading from the front, leading with the followers and leading from the behind.

The religious discourse extols the shepherd as the best of the three leaders. For us lay man, what lessons can we draw? Which style should we adopt?

Conclusion

Most of the Bhutanese would be tempted to say that we need the king’s in our context. If we are dealing with our people we need to rule with an iron hand. In fact, we might even go slightly further and say “we need to manage them well.” May I just remind our readers? This king’s style of leadership is not with iron hand but with compassion and love. So are the other two. We are in need of leading rather than managing others (see the box).

I am tempted to say that the leadership style would depend. It would depend on situations. Some situations would need the king’s while others would require the boatman’s or the shepherd’s. The situation would comprise of the maturity levels of the followers and the urgency of the situation.

These three styles of leadership have three important nuggets of leadership: competency, clear and beneficial goal and love in the form of service. These are supreme leadership categories. However, the sublimation of the supreme style is the shepherd’s where the followers’ interests are before the leaders. Dear readers, you might brush this aside saying this is only for Jangchubsempas. Let me remind you if Jangchubsempas’ style of leadership is only for those few, religion is not for us mortals. Religion is not only for the few. Religion is to make an impact in this world. It has to be practical. World needs this kind of leadership. Do we want to rise to the occasion?

1. Rinpoche P., The Words of My Perfect Teacher (Kunzang Lama’i Shelung), Harper Collings Pub. India, 1994 (translated by Padmakarpa Translation group).
2. Haggai, J. Edmund, Lead On, Leadership That Endures in a Changing World, Kobrey Press, Haggai Institute, 1986
3. Clemmer J. and McNeil A., Leadership Skills for Every Manager, Judy Piatkus Pub. 5 Windmill Street, London W1, 1989
4. Bennis W. and Nanus B., Leaders, The Strategies for Taking Charge, Harper and Row Pub., New York, Toronto, 1985