Sthitha Prajna Leader: A Marvel of Transformational Leadership Style from Indian Ancient Wisdom

Abstract

Every problem ends with rise of a leader who is bestowed with the ability of looking through the problem, dissociating with the emotions involved and most importantly influencing others and making it happen. The effectiveness of leadership and measures and metrics of it generate unending enthusiasm for academia, the result of which is various theoretical frameworks that embellish the management literature.Transactionalandtransformationalleadershipstyles-developedbyBurns(1978)andBass(1985)andthe constructive/developmental theory of Kegan which explains the critical personality differences in leaders that lead to different styles are milestones in leadership theories. These theories throw light on the state of consciousness and maturity level of the leader and reflection of the same in his behaviour. The tenets of Ancient Indian Wisdom elucidate the critical qualities that characterize a marvel of leader. The person with these qualities is recognized as ‘Sthitha Prajna’(steadied intellect). The present study is a survey conducted on people in leadership positions about their functioning and with the help of explorative factor analysis it is attempted to identify the ‘Sthitha Prajna’attributes in them. Later, these attributes are weighed against their beliefs in teaching of Bhagavad Gita.