Leadership (Shalimar Paints) - Influencing Story

The Question - How can leaders successfully influence their team members to do what is necessary?

The Answer – Lies in this popular story attributed to Gadadhar Chattopadhyaya, a humble priest and devout follower of Goddess Kali, whom we affectionately remember as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

One day, an old woman brought her 10-year-old grandson to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. She was visibly upset and seeking help. After prostrating before the revered Hindu mystic, she said, "Master, I have come to seek your guidance. This boy is my grandson, whom I have been caring for since he is an orphan. He is a good, dutiful, and polite child, with no bad habits except one—he has a great fondness for sweets and eats them so excessively that his health is rapidly deteriorating. Despite the doctor's advice, he continues to indulge in sweets recklessly and without restraint. He doesn't listen to me, but I know he respects you and will heed your words. I beg you to help him break this unhealthy habit before it endangers his life."

Ramakrishna replied, "Mother, don't worry. Bring your grandson back to me in 30 days, and I will convince him to give up sweets." Reassured, the old woman thanked him and promised to return in a month.

A month later, she returned with her grandson. Ramakrishna had the boy sit beside him and said, "My dear child, your health is your true wealth. If you don't take care of it now, you won't grow up to be a strong young man, and you won't be able to lead a healthy life. You can't achieve much in life if you're weak and unhealthy. So, starting tomorrow, stop overeating sweets until you can break free from this indulgent habit. Will you do this?"

The boy nodded in agreement and promised not to eat sweets again. The grandmother was overjoyed at her grandson's response but was also puzzled by the master's approach.

"Master, may I ask you something?" the old woman inquired. "Of course, Mother," Ramakrishna replied. "Master, you could have given my grandson this advice last month. Why did you wait for a month? I don't understand."

Ramakrishna smiled and explained, "Mother, I myself eat a lot of sweets. How could I advise the boy to do something that I wasn't doing myself? One has no right to preach to others without first practicing it oneself. So, I asked for time. In this past month, I refrained from eating sweets. Now, I have earned the right to advise your grandson."

The old woman was filled with admiration for Ramakrishna's integrity. She bowed at his feet in reverence and took her leave.

Leaders need to be role models of the change they wish to see in their team members. That is the way to successfully influence others.

Leadership Workshop for Regional Sales Managers (RSMs), Shalimar Paints. Gurgaon