Bhismadeva continues to amaze people, even now by his character in which there was no iota of desire for personal happiness. He represents 'all for others'. Even with such a transparent life, he made certain decisions which were detrimental to the growth of those whom he represented.
His life shows that your personal character, integrity, intentions and actions do not necessarily make you a perfect decision maker. Even with all such powerful qualities you can still make wrong decisions. Bhishma's role in the drama of Mahabharata proves this point.
Sometimes pure hearted and transparent leaders make selfless decisions and they assume that selflessness is synonymous to making right decisions for others. This presumption is true specially of those areas where they are not necessarily skillful.
The Mahabharata has a different view about making decisions. It does not give one single person the sole responsibility to decide for everybody in every situation. Mahabharata talks about an integrated approach.
Of course, the core principle is intention, and a high level of integrity. Along with these principle qualities, is a combination of various factors including intelligence, quick action, interdependence with other leaders and subordinates, interactive analysis of situations and plans, their execution, and probable pros and cons of the decision.
Krishna exhibits this quality of integrated leadership, even though he himself can decide for the whole world and for eternity, since he is God. But he becomes a part rather than the whole in decision making to teach and demonstrate.
Krishna exhibits this quality of integrated leadership, even though he himself can decide for the whole world and for eternity, since he is God. But he becomes a part rather than the whole in decision making to teach and demonstrate.
He went as a peacemaker on behalf of the Pandavas even though he had decided the Pandavas would fight the Kauravas. While in Dwaraka he would follow the good advice of his friend Uddhava. He followed the kind of leadership where one person is certainly responsible in regards to the consequences, but seeks advice and good counsel from his equals, elders and even subordinates. This is integrated leadership.
Integrated leadership is necessary not only for good character but also good intelligence. Intentions, integrity, interdependence, an ability to see and analyze all the past, present and future, and the humility to not declare one’s selflessness as all in all: when an action takes place after all these considerations there is a greater chances of success. And yet the results are not in the hands of such leaders. The Gita rightly says, for every endeavour there are many causes, but one of the most important causes is the hand of God. Thus one who follows the principles of integrated leadership, has the satisfaction of going the right way, and he leaves the rest to God.
The Pandavas represent, integrated leadership. Yudhisthira is the personification of integrity and freedom from selfishness, Bhima is known for his enterprising nature and quick action, Arjuna is synonymous with reflective intelligence and focused action. Nakul and Sahadeva represent cultural submissiveness and trust in their superiors and if they make opinion, they are healthy opinion makers. Draupadi deals with diversity of Pandavas, and always succeeds in uniting them. Krishna remains the inspiration and guiding force for the skill of Pandavas.
Do we want isolated leadership, or integrated leadership? The choice is ours.
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