{"id":324,"date":"2025-07-13T16:02:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-13T16:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/?p=324"},"modified":"2025-07-13T16:03:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-13T16:03:46","slug":"the-sadhu-the-summit-the-self-a-spiritual-leadership-lesson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/the-sadhu-the-summit-the-self-a-spiritual-leadership-lesson\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sadhu, the Summit & the Self: A Spiritual Leadership Lesson"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Over two decades ago, I came across a case study that made me pause. Not because it was complex. But because it was human<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was called \u201cThe Parable of the Sadhu,\u201d<\/strong> published in the Harvard Business Review by Bowen McCoy – https:\/\/hbr.org\/1997\/05\/the-parable-of-the-sadhu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me narrate the story for you, the way I reflected on it \u2014 not as a business executive, but as a student of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf28\ufe0f A Sadhu on the Mountain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine this: You\u2019re trekking in the Himalayas<\/strong>. The air is thin. The wind is biting. And you\u2019re laser-focused on one thing \u2014 reaching the peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suddenly, you spot a man \u2014 a Sadhu<\/strong>, a holy man \u2014 lying in the snow, half-conscious, freezing. He may not survive the next hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re not alone. There are other trekkers. Each person helps a little \u2014 someone gives a jacket, another offers food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But no one stays. They all move on. The summit awaits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the climbers, a senior executive, later reflected: \u201cDid we do enough? Or just enough to feel okay with walking away?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I read this story, I saw something deeper. Something very Indian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because years later, when I read the Bhagavad Gita<\/strong>, I found a similar dilemma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u2694\ufe0f Kurukshetra vs Kailash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arjuna was on a battlefield, not a mountain. But his struggle was the same \u2014 a moral conflict<\/strong>. Should I act? Should I retreat? Is this my responsibility or someone else\u2019s?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Gita teaches Arjuna that life is not about avoiding tough choices. It\u2019s about rising above fear, ego, and convenience \u2014 and doing your duty<\/strong>, with clarity and compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s exactly what the Sadhu story is about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s reflect on 5 simple leadership lessons<\/strong> from both \u2014 using anologies<\/strong> you and I can relate to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

1\ufe0f\u20e3 Inaction is Also a Choice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cNiyatam kuru karma tvam karma jy\u0101yo hyakarmanah\u201d<\/em> (Gita 3.8)<\/em> \u201cPerform your duty. Action is better than inaction.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The trekkers helped a little\u2026 but didn\u2019t commit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcad Real Life Analogy:<\/strong> During the 2020 migrant crisis<\/strong> in India, thousands of workers began walking back to their villages when lockdowns were announced. Many people saw them on highways. Some gave biscuits or water. But a few actually stopped to organise buses, food supplies, and shelter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One such person was Sonu Sood<\/strong>. He didn\u2019t ask, \u201cWhy me?\u201d<\/em> He asked, \u201cWhy not me?\u201d<\/em> He helped over 7,000 migrants<\/strong> get home safely \u2014 with zero political power or position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Doing something small is good. But doing what\u2019s truly needed \u2014 even when it\u2019s inconvenient \u2014 is leadership.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2\ufe0f\u20e3 Duty Before Destination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cKarmany evadhikaras te, ma phaleshu kadachana\u201d<\/em> (Gita 2.47)<\/em> \u201cYou are entitled to your duty, not the results.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The climbers were focused on their goal \u2014 the summit. The Sadhu was seen as a distraction<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcad Real Life Analogy:<\/strong> In 2021, during the second COVID wave, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw<\/strong> and Biocon<\/strong> stepped up to supply oxygen cylinders and free medicines<\/strong> even when her company was battling disruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn\u2019t wait for perfect conditions. Her goal was not just shareholder value \u2014 it was human value<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Sometimes our biggest test comes when we\u2019re closest to our personal goal. Do we pause? Or push ahead?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3\ufe0f\u20e3 Don\u2019t Outsource Your Conscience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cShreyan svadharmo vigunah paradharmat svanushthitat\u201d<\/em> (Bhagavad Gita 18.47)<\/em> \u201cIt is better to fail in one\u2019s own duty than succeed in another\u2019s.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In the Sadhu story, everyone expected someone else to act. But leadership isn\u2019t a shared excuse \u2014 it\u2019s a personal responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcad Real Life Case Study:<\/strong> When E. Sreedharan<\/strong> was appointed Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)<\/strong>, many warned him: \u201cIt\u2019s a government project. Delays and corruption are normal.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Sreedharan didn\u2019t let bureaucracy or blame culture dilute his responsibility. He introduced transparent procurement systems, enforced strict deadlines, and refused to bend rules \u2014 even when senior politicians pressured him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result? Phase 1 of the Delhi Metro<\/strong> was completed before time and under budget<\/strong> \u2014 a rarity in Indian public infrastructure. And all because one man didn\u2019t say, \u201cThis isn\u2019t my job.\u201d<\/em> He said, \u201cThis is mine to fix.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 When we don\u2019t outsource our conscience, we not only transform projects \u2014 we transform culture.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

4\ufe0f\u20e3 The Sadhu Appears Everywhere<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cHe who restrains action outwardly but dwells on it mentally is deluded.\u201d<\/em> (Gita 3.6)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

McCoy later confessed: \u201cWe helped the Sadhu… but I don\u2019t feel good about it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcad Real Life Analogy:<\/strong> Think of that colleague who slowly withdraws<\/strong> \u2014 missing meetings, avoiding conversations. We sense something\u2019s off, but we tell ourselves, \u201cIt\u2019s not my business.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Months later, we hear they left due to mental burnout<\/strong>. And we feel that sinking guilt: I saw it coming.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 The Sadhu is not always a holy man. Sometimes, it\u2019s the person one seat away.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

5\ufe0f\u20e3 Leaders Set the Tone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cWhatever a leader does, others follow.\u201d<\/em> (Gita 3.21)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Had even one climber said, \u201cI\u2019ll stay with the Sadhu,\u201d<\/em> others might have followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcad Real Life Analogy:<\/strong> In 2014, Chennai was drowning in floods. While many waited for rescue, actor Siddharth and RJ Balaji<\/strong> went street by street delivering food and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others soon joined. Suddenly, it wasn\u2019t a celebrity initiative \u2014 it was a citizen movement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Leadership is not about position. It\u2019s about <\/em>initiation<\/em><\/strong>. You go first \u2014 and the world follows.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf3f Final Thought<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Sadhu didn\u2019t need a group. He needed one person to stop<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in your life \u2014 at work, at home, in society \u2014 you will meet many Sadhus. They won\u2019t be in orange robes. They may not be lying in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But they will be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • The intern no one listens to<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The security guard who looks unwell<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The employee who’s been unusually quiet<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    And in that moment, you will hear two voices \u2014 one saying \u201cNot my problem\u201d<\/em>, the other saying \u201cThis is your moment.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Gita calls this Karma Yoga<\/em> \u2014 to act not for reward, not for applause<\/strong>, but because it\u2019s the right thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So the next time life tests you, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    Is this my Sadhu moment?<\/strong> Will I walk away? Or will I stop \u2014 and serve?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Over two decades ago, I came across a case study that made me pause. Not because it was complex. But […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":325,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=324"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":326,"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324\/revisions\/326"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssghosal.com\/dataforge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}