Mind: A Leader’s Greatest Friend and Foe

Abstract

This chapter presents the teachings of the Gı̄tā on understanding and restraining the mind and emotions. Given the growing importance of mindfulness and meditation in fostering workplace wellbeing, this chapter also presents the guidelines that the Gı̄tā provides for mastering the mind through the practice of meditation. The Gı̄tā unfolds as an infallible guide for those higher-order individuals who externally live a life of full engagement with the world, while internally always remaining steadfastly anchored in the wisdom of their Higher Self and Awareness. It is common knowledge that mental strength and determination are the keys to leadership success; leaders who are mentally weak and wayward cannot achieve a durable and consistent organizational vision or mission.The Gı̄tā reminds us that an unruly mind is our greatest foe, and a stable mind our greatest friend. It places great emphasis on self-restraint and mental discipline. The outcome of an unrestrained mind is a life given to selfish desire, anger, and greed leading to disempowering culture. These three traps (excessive desire, anger, and greed) are present in every dysfunctional organization, manifested to the highest degree in its leaders. Given the need and importance of meditation during these stressful times, this chapter will also present the teachings of the Gı̄tā on the art and science of stilling the mind.