Power of Building Self Confidence for Leadership Success

"If you believe you can do, You will do even if you cannot do. If you doubt you cannot, You will not do even if you can do." - Jaganathan

Three Leaders in One Story

Let us start a new story, my favourite story from Valmiki Ramayan. I used this story in my first book Management Immemorial to elucidate the power of tactful Mentoring & Coaching. We are talking about the last scene in Kishkinda Kandam which incidentally forms the springboard for Hanuman’s heroics at Lanka. This one incident brings out three great leadership traits, Angad as a Leader who expressed his readiness to ‘lead from the front’, Jambavan who could spot the right resource to achieve the task in hand and mentor the individual and Hanuman for taking the plunge (literally!) once the confidence is built. The story is...

Lord Rama sent different teams of vanaras (monkey army) in different directions in search of his dear wife, Sita. A powerful team led by Angad, Son of Vali, went in the direction of South. This team included great heroes Jambavan & Hanuman. When this team reached the southern tip of the Indian sub-continent they learnt that Sita is imprisoned in Lanka across the sea with the help of a message communicated to them by Sampati, brother of Jadayu. It is pertinent that one of the vanara had to cross the ocean to go over to Lanka and find out if Sita is in Lanka.

But the problem is in crossing the ocean as there was no bridge across the ocean and transport options were not prevalent during that time. Vanaras were filled with fear and anxiety. Angad called for a team meeting at the hillock where they camped. All the vanaras took their seats on the available rocks. Angad gave a motivational speech to his team as the Leader of the team “I have heard and known that you all have great prowess and strength. We should fulfil this task of finding Sita and without that we cannot return to our land. So, tell me the longest jump each one of you have the strength and courage to attempt?”

On hearing this, each Vanara confidently gave numbers starting from 10 yojanas up to 90 yojanas, 10 yojanas incremental every time. Angad was dejected as he knew that 90 yojanas was not enough to cross the ocean. As a leader 'leading from the front', Angad offered himself for the mission as no one else was exhibiting confidence to jump more than 90 yojanas but he was not sure if he would return back. During this entire discussion, Hanuman was sitting aloof and did not participate in that discussion.

Jambavan, master strategist, knew that Hanuman was the best suited for the challenge but wondered why he did not offered himself for the task. He realised that Hanuman is the best suited for the task but lacked the confidence that he can achieve. He knew that Hanuman would be ready to take up the assignment if his confidence is boosted. He took up the responsibility of motivating Hanuman to take up the challenge by boosting his confidence.

How Jambavan went about boosting Hanuman’s_confidence is an interesting lesson for all the Leaders. Let us look at a few important slokas from the 38 slokas of Jambavan’s confidence boosting measures. All the 38 slokas are monologues from Jambavan and explains various techniques that can be used for 'Confidence Building'.

"Hanuman, by your brilliance and brawn, oh, you are equal to the king of monkeys Sugreeva, or even to Rama and Lakshmana, as well..."

Thus Jambavan started by equating Hanuman to Sugreeva, his boss, even to Rama and Lakshmana, who were his Role Models. This is a powerful technique for 'Confidence Building'. Start with the big impact. 'Role Models' and positive quotes can do wonders.

"Your arms are as powerful as the wings of the divine bird Garuda, who is superbly mighty, in speed as well as dare."

Jambavan equated the power of his arms to the power of divine bird Garuda’s wings. Jambavan also mentioned in a previous sloka that Garuda regularly crosses oceans and picks reptiles from the Oceans. By equating with someone who does the task regularly, Jambavan gave the confidence that Hanuman can easily achieve the task.

Explain the tools, techniques, skills in possession to remove the fear. Explain the real worth and build the trust that the discussion is not hollow jargons.

"You are the finest among all beings by the dint of your force, faculty, flair, and fortitude... why then is your unreadiness in this task of leaping ocean..."

Here Jambavan says that Hanuman has every quality necessary for the given challenge, also takes a dig at his 'lack of confidence'.

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