Indian Theory of Leadership from Thirukkural

Abstract

Efficiency of an organization, be it a company at a micro level or a country at a macro level, is primarily determined by the efficiency of the resources such as raw materials, machines, buildings, policies, capital, etc. The efficiency of these resources depend on the efficiency of another factor namely Human Resource. However the efficiency of all resources including human resource is determined by the quality of the leadership. Various scholars have studied leadership over time and thus various theories of leadership exist today. India had produced brilliant leaders in her history that the mankind would find it difficult even to believe that such people walked on this earth. A few examples are namely Lord Buddha, Mahavir, Gurunanak, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, etc. To rediscover the Indian contribution to management wisdom, leadership in particular, this paper attempts to highlight an Indian theory of leadership based on Thirukkural, an acclaimed original Indian work on management that is more than 2000 years old. This study finds that Thirukkural not only presents a theory of leadership but also suggests that, perhaps there are some born leaders but leaders can also be made! Besides, this theory is also consistent with traits theory of leadership, behavioral theory of leadership, social cognitive resource theory of leadership and ethical theory of leadership of the modern times as well!