Rishi Sunak’s prayers in Delhi reflect how faith inspires sustainable leadership
Ask anyone who is a leader and they will tell you it is a risky endeavour, and that in the public sphere there are brickbats at every corner.
Just ask Rishi Sunak, our Prime Minister, who came in at the time of the biggest chaos and uncertainty in British society, succeeding two highly incompetent and profligate leaders. British Indians often get public leadership in the UK with a poisoned chalice. I know from my experience as a university Professor that there are thorns everywhere. We, people of Indian heritage, many a time get leadership in times of crisis and are often set up to fail.
As India hosted the G20, our Prime Minister Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty made sure they made time to visit the Akshardham Temple built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha – also behind the famous Neasden Temple in London. This was not tourism or a photo opportunity but a genuine prayer for peace and hope. On his desk, Sunak also has a Ganesha – there is no shyness about his Hindu faith, which is also plural and inclusive.
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The host and President of the G20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also proud of his Hindu roots and they have given him much courage and conviction in his leadership which has transformed the economy of India for the better. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family – is also a Hindu slogan rooted in Dharmic wisdom and science. By using family values to unite the world, Mr Modi is emphasising the need for harmony and community at the grassroots for global peace.
My own research on business leadership shows that many sustainable leaders have a deep sense of faith and understanding of the impermanence of life. For all the duties and responsibilities on their shoulders, Dharma gives them solace and courage too. Faith helps them cope and adapt to risk and uncertainty – it is a kind of insurance policy.
Let us not dismiss its silent but important influence on sustainable leadership.
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Professor Atul K. Shah [@atulkshah] teaches and writes about Indian wisdom on business, culture and community at various UK universities and is a renowned international author, speaker and broadcaster.