Dhammapada as a model for leaders and leadership

These teachings can help current leaders to effectively hire employees as well as achieve their goals in businesses. Further, leaders in other sectors can also apply the important teachings of Buddha to attain great success in their careers. It is important to note that through reading, meditating and following Buddha teachings, a leader can be able to develop values such as renunciation, kindness, and superior wisdom. “Let both laymen and bhikkhus think that things are done because of me; let them obey me in all matters, great and small. Such being the thoughts of the fool, his greed and his pride grow” (verse 74). If leaders use the right speech there will be happiness, hence peace and love among those involved. Right speech involves factual accuracy which indicates that all that is said has to be true.

The verse requires leaders to practice speaking the truth and correct mistakes so that there will always be a sense of truthfulness. Rather than just speaking the truth, right speech involves sincerity of the speaker, which means that the words spoken must be practical and the promises should be fulfilled. It involves a deep knowledge of what an individual is talking about rather than just passing words that have been said by someone else. The Karma teachings stress that if a person follows the right actions there will always be positive outcomes in his or her deeds and even if the results may not come immediately one will never escape them. Virtuous leaders use the best ideas in dealing with both resources and the other workers.

For instance, they will not engage in non- productive business ideas as this is not the right action. Right action involves both in the use of materials as well as the methods of developing an organization. If leaders embrace the right speech, they will not accept praise or glory for success that has been contributed by others and fail to appreciate their efforts. Motivation through kindness attains a long-lasting success as the team members will always be willing to follow the instructions from the leader because they are committed to the success of the team. Right from decision making, the leaders are taught to make decisions that are not influenced by self-interests but by self- sacrifice. Effective leaders should learn from Buddha teachings to maintain the right actions and motivation because kindness acts a persuasive force for all to emulate.

Effort Is Necessary To Avoid Suffering (Verse 144. This verse can serve to pass a message to leaders that they should apply more effort in their services so as to attain success. Just as Buddha taught that the kings were not supposed to be teachers unless they the right wisdom, current leaders can follow the teaching and lead by only telling people to work on what they are able to do. "Even though reciting abundant scriptures the heedless one, who does not what they say, like a cowboy counting other’s cattle, does not partake of the ascetic life" (verse 19). This verse is important for leaders to use in guiding their juniors through encouraging them to practice their skills. The experienced workers can be encouraged to follow what they have learned so that they can improve their performance.