The art of leading

Leadership entails more than confidence and charisma and is often a blend of mindfulness, the ability to trust the process and the willingness to face responsibilities without inhibitions. On October 11, Hindusthan Club turned a Sunday afternoon into a deeply reflective forum on true leadership, with a conversation featuring Meenakshi Lekhi, former minister of state for external affairs of India as well as a seasoned legal professional with years of experience.

Moderated by Swati Bihani, honorary joint secretary of Hindusthan Club, and Rishabh C. Kothari, former president of Hindusthan Club, the conversation covered a range of areas, including the spirit and resilience that go into leadership, the significance of mental alignment in personal and professional life, and the need for society to eradicate gender-based inequalities.

Lekhi emphasised that true leadership comes from faith in life’s patterns and the design of the universe, rather than incessant attempts to negotiate every obstacle in life. “I do not distinguish between what is easy and what is difficult in life. The difficulty is part of what life has to offer, a part of the game. Beyond those challenges, what stays is the kind of character you build, the truth of who you are. What the universe has planned for you is far better than any design you would attempt to impose on life,” she said.

Talking about her early ambitions, Lekhi said: “I never really had one fixed goal that I worked towards right from my childhood. In fact, my idea of what I wanted to become changed every two to five years.”

She added: “Children are prone to assuming that whatever their family wants them to pursue is their true calling. However, that may not always be the case. Children should be encouraged to pursue careers in which they feel they belong.”

Lekhi concluded the discussion by highlighting the social dimensions conducive to the collective success of the community, including the need to eradicate gender-based discrimination. “Women, above all, want to be treated equally and with respect and dignity. In every profession, men and women are handed the same responsibilities and designations. Hence, I think a gender-less intellectual attitude has to be inculcated, although there are differences between men and women,” said Lekhi.

“I have known Meenakshiji for quite some time, and she is a very vibrant speaker. I really appreciate her clarity of thought and articulation. She speaks with a lot of passion when it comes to issues like the social standing of women, which proves how these issues are so close to her heart,” said Kothari.

“One of the most significant ideas brought forth by Meenakshiji during the afternoon was that there should be no inequality between men and women. I really admire the practical analysis she brought into the conversation,” said Bihani.