A Timeless Lesson in Leadership from the Bhagavad Gita

A few years ago, I attended an intensive week-long leadership training program which focused on over 20 core leadership principles and how every leader must understand and implement them. One of the leadership principles taught in this program was “Release the Outcome”.  Simply put, this principle told us that good leaders must make decisions based on doing the right thing – without being attached to what the outcome might be.

The striking similarity of this principle with one of the key teachings of the Bhagavad Gita was not lost on me. It was amazing that a western leadership course had this profound Gita principle embedded in it. The Bhagavad Gita speaks very clearly about the idea of releasing attachment to outcomes. This concept is often referred to as “Karma Yoga” which is essentially the yoga of selfless action. We are required to perform our duty by focusing fully on our actions, without clinging to any expectations. After all, the outcome depends on not just our action, but also on many factors beyond our control.

This principle is not just philosophical – it has practical applications in leadership and life. For instance:

• A CEO faced with a difficult layoff decision may decide to treat the employees fairly and with dignity by communicating transparently, instead of obsessing over how the press or stock price might react.
• A political leader might decide to propose a necessary reform because it’s the right legislation for the long-term good of the country and the public, even at the risk of possibly losing an election.
• A manager giving negative feedback to an underperforming employee could focus on being honest and provide constructive feedback, without worrying about how this might affect his or her popularity.

I am not sure how many corporate or political leaders take this principle to heart – too much time is usually spent in weighing every possible result before taking any action. Decisions are delayed, overanalyzed and sometimes never made at all.

As the Bhagavad Gita reminds us: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions…”. If all leaders made decisions based on the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings, acting with integrity and detachment, surely this world would be a much better place.