Self-Mastery: Mastering the “Me” in Leadership

Abstract

Personal mastery has lately received great attention in the management literature. This chapter recognizes the importance of self-mastery in the development of holistic leadership. Before we can effectively lead others, we must first learn to manage ourselves effectively. It is our common experience that without self-discipline one cannot attain success in any field, whether it is science, sports, or music. Building upon the lessons of self-motivation, this chapter develops the theme of self-mastery as a necessary foundation for achievement in any endeavor including leadership. It discusses the role of self-discipline, self-effort, and self-perseverance in fostering self-development for preparing us for life and leadership.The key focus of this chapter is the harmonious development of a leader’s personality in all its essential dimensions—psychological, intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual. It draws upon the key lessons of personal mastery as presented in the Bhagavad Gītā, the most important paradigmatic spiritual text of Hindus. Focusing especially on psychological and emotional aspects, the theme of self-mastery is developed as integration of personality. The chapter also references Aristotelian theory of the golden mean as the desirable middle between two extremes—one of excess and the other of deficiency. As an added feature, the chapter reviews research on expert performance (the making of champions) to inform the quest for self-mastery.