Personalized Leadership

The word Krishna means all attractive; in other words Krishna attracts all. When He used to do the Raas Leela all the gopis used to think Krishna is dancing with me and He loves me the most. Krishna is personal with His devotees.

A leader needs to be personal with his followers.

Hotel Taj
Hotel Taj

I remember some months back, I was checking into Taj, Baroda, and as soon as my car entered the porch area, the security guard opened the door and welcomed me by saying ‘Good evening  Mr Bharwani, welcome to Taj’. I was elated to hear my own name and I kept on hearing it from the staff till I entered my room.

They simply personalized their offering (from my name to the food ) to attract me, so much so I have very fond memories of my stay in that hotel and I have spoken about this to many of my friends. I have become a loyal follower of this hotel.

The leader reciprocates with the follower in a way that makes the follower feel special.

A well known industrialist of India narrated this incident. “I was with Radhanath Swami in my building and we saw somebody whom I had not seen smiling since the very first time I saw her, while that day she smiled and I saw Radhanath Swami also smiling at her. I was shocked. I revealed to him my astonishment and how I had tried in so many previous occasions but she never smiled.”

Personal Leadership
Personal Leadership

I have seen Radhanath Swami meet many people from flamboyant billionaires to simple villagers and they seem so connected with him and sometimes tears just roll down without speaking a single word.

Connecting with people personally means striking a chord with their deepest feelings and needs, which sets them free to express themselves fully. Conversations and Listening are powerful tools to connect with the follower and as we see more of the follower, the reciprocation becomes more meaningful and this attracts the follower to the leader. So much so the Gopis in the dead of the night would leave their homes to meet their eternal lover Krishna not too worried about the consequences at home. Followers will take risks and put in that extra effort if they feel their leader is personal with them.

Published by Deepak Bharwani

An entrepreneur at heart Deepak Bharwani functions with Pragati leadership Institute as a facilitator and concurrently runs his own marketing organization. With an MBA from the Mumbai University, backing him are fifteen years of domestic and international marketing experience servicing brands like Godrej GE Appliances, Citi Bank and ABN Amro Bank. Deepak found his passion in training six years back and has worked with Franklin Covey South Asia as a certified trainer in ‘7 habits of highly effective people’. Some of the most prestigious and coveted companies like Hindustan Lever Ltd., ICICI Bank, Nicholas Piramal, Efunds, Wipro, etc. have engaged him for training. Deepak believes in enabling people to live a ‘wholesome’ life and create enriching relationships to make this world a beautiful place to reside. Deepak’s incredible love for both children and spirituality has got him actively involved in running a spiritual school for children. Reach Deepak at deepak.bharwani@pragatileadership.com, Mobile – +91 99203-49012

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17 Comments

  1. The analogy of Krishna’s pastimes with the gopis helps to illustrate the key aspects of personal relationships very nicely.

  2. This is wonderful article to hear about personal makes a big difference to the other person to whom we are related. And it is shown through the example of Radhanath swami who deals in a personal way with everyone.

  3. Thank you for sharing these articles which are very inspiring to know about the personal dealings of Radhanath swami with his followers.

  4. Yes. Great leaders like HH Radhanath Swami have always given personal attnetion to their followers which no doubt attracts them permanantly.

  5. I was deeply touched by the statement “Connecting with people personally means striking a chord with their deepest feelings and needs, which sets them free to express themselves fully.”

  6. Followers will take risks and put in that extra effort if they feel their leader is personal with them.

  7. Very nice article. It shows the importance of being Personal as that is what is our original heritage and our relationship with the Lord. Thank you for sharing.

  8. Followers will take risks and put in that extra effort if they feel their leader is personal with them.- we see this happening in ISKCON- especially the disciples of Srila Prabhupad.Age is no bar to them!

  9. One of the nicest articles on personalized leadership – thank you for posting it!

  10. I would like to implement the pearls of wisdom presented in this article.. life would be so wonderful and meaningful if we have personal relationships!!

  11. This article really makes one think deeply about the various aspects of personal leadership.

  12. Actually this type of personal relationship is pleasing to oneself also.And in this way it will be better for leader to understand the feelings of the others and reciprocates accordingly.Very nice article,it will defiantly encourage reader to understand and follow the aspects of personal relationship.Thank you very much for sharing with us.

  13. Thank you for sharing this illuminating article on how maintaining a personal touch with people really goes a long way in developing and enriching relationships.

  14. Thank you for sharing this inspiring article on how a leader is personal with his followers and inspires by his own example.

  15. This is wonderful article explaining us to be as personal as possible in our relationships so that other people will be comfortable. This concept is explained through the example of Radhanath swami.

  16. …” And among the gopīs, You, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, are the chief. Therefore You are the very life of My life.”
    Purport:
    Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the center of all Vṛndāvana’s activities. In Vṛndāvana, Kṛṣṇa is the instrument of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī; therefore all the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana still chant “Jaya Rādhe!” From Kṛṣṇa’s own statement given herein, it appears that Rādhārāṇī is the Queen of Vṛndāvana and that Kṛṣṇa is simply Her decoration. Kṛṣṇa is known as Madana-mohana, the enchanter of Cupid, but Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the enchanter of Kṛṣṇa. Consequently Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is called Madana-mohana-mohinī, the enchanter of the enchanter of Cupid.’’ CC.Ml.13.150.”

    So,Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the topmost leader,but …

    ”The name Rādhā is derived from the root word ārādhana, which means “worship.” The personality who excels all in worshiping Kṛṣṇa may therefore be called Rādhikā, the greatest servitor.” C.C.Adi.l. 4.87 .

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