39.1 Kingship (Leadership)

 39.1 Kingship (Leadership)

Question:

Who is the best among the kings?

Answer:

He who possesses these six things, an army, citizenry, economic resources,

ministers, friends, and fortresses, is a lion among the kings.                      (Couplet – 381)

படைகுடி கூழ்அமைச்சு நட்பரண் ஆறும்

உடையான் அரசருள் ஏறு.                                                          (குறள் – 381)

Explanation:

It is evident that to be effective, a king must have an army, citizens, wealth, and council of ministers. It is an additional asset to have friends who will support him when needed. Having fortresses is also a must for his own safety and defense. It is interesting to note that what Valluvar considers important to a king also applies to a CEO of an organization. In the case of a CEO, the army could be interpreted as competent staff and the citizenry as customers. The economic resource is a common necessity both for a king as well as the CEO. Senior staff such as the vice presidents and the consultants for the CEO serve the same function as the ministers do for a king. In the case of the CEO, a friend can be interpreted as the other friendly organizations and contractors whom the CEO can count for support. Finally, in the case of the CEO, a strong legal team, and proper procedures to safeguard against a hostile takeover would be like the fortresses in the case of a king.