I was once asked if I was Drupadi or Arjun in the Corporate Mahabharat

This was a time when I was dealing with a very tough situation during my tenure with an organization. My mentor, the founding CEO of the Company coached me into getting a resolve for the challenge ahead of me without having to spoon-feed me.

Between both of us, we had agreed that he would guide me the way Lord Krishna guided Arjun. That is when he asked me if I was Draupadi or Arjun in the Corporate Mahabharat.

The following thoughts are an outcome of the various scenarios that inspired me from the great Hindu Epic the Mahabharat.

Over the course of my professional journey, spanning over two and a half decades across various industries and geographies, my thoughts on Women Leadership have always been a Question to the self.

Draupadi or Arjun?
Why consider Draupadi’s viewpoint? What does it entail to adopt Draupadi’s perspective, and how might she perceive the corporate world?

1. Her conviction and take on Kauravs…
   • Having a Clarity of Vision
     • Knowing where one wants to go with their career objectives and how to get there.
     • A visionary leader possesses clarity, enabling him/her to bring out the best in his/her team and environment, with a deep understanding of each person’s unique abilities.
     • This clarity aligns the team, allowing tasks and roles to fall into focus, and each member works with precision, leveraging their unique skills to turn the vision into reality.
2. Draupadi had the advantage of the Pandavs, and she made the most of it
   • Utilizing Advantages
     • Success demands a clear focus on putting the right people in the right roles and valuing individuals in alignment with the purpose and objectives.
     • Sometimes, we become so fixated on our vision that we forget to build a robust roadmap to withstand the test of time.
     • Recognizing the path to achieving objectives is also vital
3. When Draupadi faced the tragic loss of her children on the battlefield…
   • The need to overcome personal biases and take responsibility
     • Reactions triggered by stress are often driven by negative traits, this can lead to critical errors in judgment and may prove detrimental not only to one’s career but also to an organization.
     • Self-reflection and self-awareness are key components of this process.
       • Some Questions to ponder during introspection include:
         • What causes emotional distress, and how do you typically respond?
         • Are there behaviours that are counterproductive when faced with challenging situations?
         • How do your superiors, peers, subordinates, and bosses perceive your actions?
         • Is there a recurring pattern in your behaviour?
         • Have your actions contributed in any way to past failures?
         • Engaging in candid feedback sessions with your direct reports, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality, can be valuable.
       • Some questions to pose to others might include:
         • Do you find my actions or behaviour frustrating?
         • Do I create a working environment where you have to work around me rather than with me?
         • When under stress, do I exhibit counterproductive behaviours?
     • Consider seeking the guidance of a coach, mentor, or trusted advisor:
       • Trust in the process and the individual providing guidance is crucial.
       • Being open to exposing vulnerabilities and moving beyond defensive mechanisms is essential.
       • Recognizing that these are common human traits and acknowledging them can aid in overcoming them.
       • It is prudent to acknowledge and examine personal shortcomings rather than evading them or seeking an escape.
4. Draupadi’s resolve not to tie her hair until smeared with Duryodhan’s blood
   • Taking a Stand
     • Recognizing that respect doesn’t rely on gaining validation from the world but rather on creating a space where the SELF can exist, appreciating self-worth unconditionally.
       • Acquiring the skill of assertiveness without leaning towards aggression or passivity.
       • Conquering self-imposed limitations stemming from fear by operating from a place of integrity and authenticity.
       • Embracing the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated.
       • Freeing the boundless potential often restricted by self-imposed constraints.

Alternatively, what does it mean to be more like Arjun in the corporate arena? Why Arjun?

1. Arjun’s mastery of archery and his reaction to Dronacharya’s challenge at the Gurukul, where he focused solely on aiming for the bird’s eye as the only goal
   • Skill Mastery, self-sustenance and Self-reliance
     • Integrity and commitment should not be contingent on external factors.
     • Internalizing the capacity to strengthen oneself, regardless of the challenges that may arise
     • Being authentic and honoring one’s own words
     • Acknowledging mistakes openly and providing solutions demonstrates courage and authenticity.
2. Arjun being a part of the Pandavs, who were the heir to the throne…
   • Leading by Example
     • Transparency and trust increase the sense of ownership
     • Separating personal views from business objectives fosters a collaborative environment.
3. Arjun’s deep sense of self-awareness and spiritual elevation following his learning from the divine song of the Bhagavad Gita, by Lord Krishna himself…
   • Self-Awareness and Spiritual Growth
     • Believing in creating new possibilities with integrity and strong relationships is crucial.
     • Being aware that opportunities may come knocking only once, and therefore, spare no effort in striving for successful realization while there is still time.
     • While acknowledging the world’s realities, possess the capability to be a swift and self-guided force, steering towards the predefined target or goal with supersonic speed.
4. Arjun’s ability to resurrect his will and grit to fight the righteous battle of Dharm…
   • Resilience and Surrender
     • Surrendering to the bigger picture, having faith in universal energies,
     • Accepting the realities of situations and circumstances.
     • Leveraging internal capabilities to empower purpose, situation, objective, target, or goalis crucial.
5. Arjun’s mindset during the war …
   • Operating from Un-Attachment
     • Un-attachment means not getting attached in the first place, while detachment implies first attachment and then detachment.
     • Being motivated yet detached, viewing situations from strategic, tactical, and operational angles, and embracing change is vital.

Finally, recognizing that change is the only constant, while the world remains in its perpetual flux, I embrace the timeless wisdom encapsulated in the phrase “THIS TOO SHALL PASS.” This eternal adage represents another thought-provoking tale that continues to be a source of inspiration for me, probably to be elaborated upon another time another day…

Ultimately, the conclusion I reached for overcoming challenges wasn’t about favouring one set of traits over the other, be it Draupadi’s or Arjun’s. Instead, it is centered on amalgamating the qualities of the two, which aided me in navigating with adaptability. In brief, whether I embody Draupadi’s resilience or Arjuna’s determination, I approach the corporate landscape with a detached perspective. My unwavering belief in my professional skills and strengths has allowed me to flourish in the corporate world for more than 25 years, nurturing lasting connections with colleagues and associates throughout my journey.