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workers, one way to cultivate this quality is by sacrificing lecture fees when making public appearances. Doing so helps place the focus on the benefit others derive from the information communicated, rather than concentrating on personal gain.
Great leaders are those who inspire caring, inclusive cultures where people can thrive in pursuit of organizational goals, and where all are collaborating toward a common good. The practice of Jainism helps a leader achieve this objective, creating value for everyone throughout the organization. Indeed, the real essence of leadership is making a difference in the lives of employees, getting the best performance from them while helping them realize their potential.
While the principle of nonviolence confers the benefits described above, another important quality associated with it is its emphasis on forgiveness. For leaders, to forgive is good, to forget is better and to move forward is best of all. The sense of forgiveness that arises through the practice of nonviolence enables leaders to put the past behind rather than carrying negative experiences forward where they undoubtedly cause impediments to future beneficial action.
Indeed, at its heart, Jainism is a very forward-looking framework. Since great leaders must anticipate change and prepare for uncertain events, Jainism helps instill the focus, ability and energy to allow leaders to excel, telling them in effect: "If we let the past control our present, there will not be any future." <>
Great Leaders are those
who inspire caring, inclusive cultures where
people can thrive in pursuit of organizational goals, and where all are collaborating toward a
common good. The practice of Jainism helps
a leader achieve this objective, creating value for everyone throughout
the organization
Painting Courtesy: Mahendra Shah
14 Biennial JAINA Convention 2007
124
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