Initiative Archives - understand-culture

The Nurturant Task Leader

In 1980 the Indian psychologist Jai B.P. Sinha described the nurturant task leader. In Sinha’s words, such a leader “cares for his subordinates, shows affection, takes personal interest in their well-being.” A 1990 summary of the model by the researcher Ansari adds that the leader makes this care “contingent on the subordinate’s task accomplishment.”

The model describes subordinates who “depend excessively on their superiors for directions, guidance, and support,” and who prefer a personal relationship with the leader to a contractual one.

Without the Master’s Knowledge

The Arthashastra, the ancient treatise on statecraft attributed to Kautilya, sets rules for the king’s officers in Book 2, chapter 9. They are not to act without first bringing the matter to the knowledge of their master. In the English translation: “they shall undertake nothing except remedial measures against imminent dangers.”

Waiting for Delhi

On December 24, 1999, hijackers took over Indian Airlines flight IC-814 and brought it down at Amritsar. The plane stood there for about 45 minutes, according to Sarabjit Singh, then the head of the Punjab Police. Other accounts give 40 or 74 minutes. Then it took off again, and the hijackers flew on.

In Delhi, the government’s Crisis Management Group was deciding what to do. “No one was willing to take a decision and in that confusion no instructions were passed on to Punjab Police,” A.S. Dulat later said. According to ThePrint, officials in the Amritsar control room waited for instructions from Delhi that never came.

Urged On by Jambavan

In the Kishkindha Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana, the monkey army reaches the sea. Someone must leap across to Lanka. The old Jambavan turns to Hanuman, tells him of his birth and his strength, and says: Uttishtha harishardula, langhayasva maharnavam. Rise, tiger among monkeys, leap across the great ocean. He adds that the whole monkey army wishes to see his strength.

Only then does Hanuman enlarge his body. Valmiki describes him as jambavata prachoditah, urged on by Jambavan.

Draft for Approval

The Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure governs how files move in India’s ministries. Its phrases include “put up the file to Section Officer,” “orders of the appropriate authority may be obtained,” and “draft for approval.” The office manual of the Tea Board defines one more term: “‘Competent Authority’- The Chairman of the Board.”

I Am Your Disciple

Early in the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna is confused about his duty. He turns to Krishna: shishyas te ‘ham shadhi mam tvam prapannam. “I am Your disciple, and am surrendered to You. Please instruct me for certain what is best for me.”

The verse is chapter 2, verse 7.

Free from Doubt

Arjuna’s last words in the Bhagavad Gita are his answer to Krishna: sthito ‘smi gata-sandehah karishye vachanam tava. “I am now free from doubts, and I shall act according to Your instructions.” It is chapter 18, verse 73.

Arjuna gives this answer at the end of a dialogue of eighteen chapters, in which he asks Krishna one question after another.