Discussions on the Art of Leadership do not cease to grab the attention of the professional community - and this has been so ever since the dawn of history.

In the last few decades, many fine experts have written glossy books, inviting the reader to follow the author in search of the ultimate qualities of the good leader, the best leader, the most effective leader, or just the leader, period.

It is most interesting to observe how the cultural background of the expert tends to adjust, alter or influence the image of the ideal leader. Indeed, few are those who manage to portray a truly intercultural portfolio of leadership qualities and assets.

In our age of globalisation, would it be worthwhile to present a globalised view on leadership? What do you think?

Personally, I never get tired of collecting quotes on the qualities of leadership, and I am not afraid to go deep down in history to uncover hidden marvels of the kind.

Here, for instance, are some of the adorable verses from Neetishaastra ("The Art of Leadership"), by Chanakya (aka Kautilya, 350-275 BC).

Simhadekam bakadekam shiksheccatvaari kukkutaat,
Vaayasaat panca shiksecca shatshanastraani gardabhaat.
Prabhootam kaaryamalpam vaa yo naraha kartumicchati,
Sravaarambhena tatkuryaat simhaadekam pracakshet.
Indriyaani ca samyamya bakavat pandito naraha,
Deshakaalabalam jnyaatvaa sarvakaaryaani saadhayet.
Pratyutthaanam ca yuddham ca samvibhaaga ca bandhushu,
Svayamaakramya bhunjeeta shiksheccatvaari kukkutaat.
Goodhamaithunadhaashtarya ca kaale kaale ca samgraham,
Apramaagamavishvaasam panca shikshecca vaayasaat.
Bahvaashee svalpasamtushtaha sunidro laghu cetanam,
Svaamibhaktashca shoorashca shadate shvaanato gunaaha.
Sushraantopi bahedbhaaram sheetoshnam na ca pashyati,
Santushtashcarate nityam treeni shikshecca gardabhaat.
Vimshadete gunaaha proktaa yastu kuryaad vicakshanaha,
Sa jeshyati ripoon sarvaat jeyashca na bhavishyati.

"A leader should get one quality each of a lion and a crane, four from a cock, five from a crow, six from a dog and three from a donkey.
"From the lion: to undertake a project well-prepared, whether it be big or small.
"From the crane: to control his senses and to know the aptness of time and place when perfroming a task.
"From the cock: getting up in time, preparedness to struggle, division of responsibilities among allies, enjoyment in conducting a struggle oneself.
"From the crow: secrecy in conduct, secret action, catch in time, unruffled behaviour, inherent distrust of everyone.
"From he dog: desire for much, contentment with little, deep slumber, quick awakening, devotion to stakeholders and bravery.
"From the donkey: to carry the burden even when tired, not to mind heat nor cold, to trudge satisfied.
"The discerning one who practices the above twenty virtues will conquer all adversaries and remain himself on top."

... Or what to think of this next one, which follows a quite different line of thought:

Utkhaanaat pratiropayan kusumitaamshcinvan laghoon vardhayan,
atyuccaan namayan prithoon vidalayan vishleshayan samhataan.
Teekshnaan kantakino bahirnibhamayan svaaropitaan paalayan,
maalaakaara iva prayogakushalo raajye ciram tishtati.

"The leader who remains on top behaves like a skilled gardener: rehabilitating te uprooted, watching the blooming, strenghtening the weak, bending down the too tall, weakening the excessively strong, seperating the clustered, thrimming the thorny, and protecting the ones that have come up by themselves."

Hope this inspres you as much as it inspires me!

Francis Laleman