January 13, 2022

Leadership lessons from Pongal Makar Sankranti & Lohri

The next 4 days India celebrates Pongal/Lohri/Makar sankranti and Magh Bihu.

In continuation to my study of Indian festivals I found interesting insights to leadership and Management from these festivals has to offer.

All four festivals highlights that it is the end of winter and start of summer. It also signifies the harvesting season.

In the southern parts of India it is Pongal and it is celebrated over 4 days.

●     First day, Bhogi: — Leadership Lesson-Let go

Traditionally family members clean the house and let go of things that are not useful or relevant to their lives. They collect all the things they need to discard and lit a bonfire and burn the unwanted things.

This reminds me of what I learned from the famous management Guru-Vijay Govindarjan’s 3 box theory.

Every organisation has to identify things that are not working for them in their business and let go, this could be process, policies or strategies that is not yielding desired results.

Similar to Bhogi –Lohri is celebrated with similar basis with a bonfire It is believed that offering food items to the God of Fire on this day helps take away all negativity from life and brings in prosperity.
We need to let go of our Negativities to succeed in life.

●     Second day, Pongal:  — Leadership Lesson-Gratitude

 On this day people offer dish named as ‘Shakarai Pongal’ to show their gratitude toward the Sun and to Mother Nature.

The Farmers offer gratitude to all that helps agriculture which is the essential source of our very existence, Pongal marks a new beginning and is celebrated to offer thanks to the Gods and seek blessing for a bountiful harvest.

A leader should always acknowledge and be in gratitude for all the team members for their contributions. Not only just the leaders, it should be demonstrated by every team member too. When gratitude comes not only from leaders, it fosters teamwork and cooperation and promotes empathy and compassion. Team members are no longer just out for themselves; they instead gain a personal stake in the success of others and the team as a whole

Gratitude is a powerful – yet often underappreciated and underutilized leadership skill that can transform any organization.

A number of studies over the years have linked gratitude to happiness, improved health, resilience, stronger relationships and heightened productivity – even better sleep. So when a leader cultivates a thankful culture within the organization, he is creating an environment where teams can thrive.

●     Third day, Mattu Pongal: — Leadership Lesson -Living in harmony and empowerment.
This day signifies celebration of relationship and collaborations. Leaders should create an environment for the relationship to be everlasting.

If you observe pongal festival even animals especially cows and bullocks, are also acknowledged as a part of the farmer’s family. Similarly it does not matter what level the employees are working, a leader should take every member of the team along with him it does not matter which grade or designation.

●     Last day, Kaanum Pongal: — Leadership Lesson -Look for Newer opportunities Pongal signals new beginnings. It’s a new dawn of opportunities.

Kaanum literally means seeing new things. What are the newer business that the organisation can leverage on? Again as Vijay’s Govindarajan theory every organisation must innovate or see beyond their current horizons, an astute leader should always think beyond the current and be innovate you to take the organisation to next orbit of growth.

What are your take always from this wonderful festival?

What is that you are going to let go?

What is that you are in gratitude of in the past year and beyond?

Who are the people you will empower appreciate and celebrate the wins?

Finally what are the new things that you are going achieve this coming year.

(you may refer to my post on the new year about setting new goals and achieving them)

Best wishes and Happy Lohri/ Makar Sankranti/Pongal.