17th December, 2010
Are our cricket administrators inspired leaders?
Yesterday, there were two cricket test matches which commenced in two parts of the world. Both the pitches are known to assist fast bowlers.
England reached Australia early played some local matches, were match fit and practiced hard. They were “turned on” to play the first big match at Brisbane. They are growing from strength to strength India was still playing one day games at home in New Zealand and several of other key players reached South Africa just a few days before the first test match.
Both England and India knew about these big tours well in advance and realize that as soon as they are back, they have to get ready for the World Cup.
Why do we in India crowd our schedules so much that we allow our chances to be compromised?
Is this “inspired leadership”? Are we “mindful” and “self aware” of the consequence of our action?
Do we give the time to our players to study the new conditions, the strengths and weaknesses of our opposition, the time to absorb the local culture & people and enjoy their game? Are we leveraging the power of “diversity” fully?
Is this focus on the “short term” at the cost of the “long term” not a dangerous threat to the practice of “sustainability”?
We in the School of Inspired Leadership have been inspired to create a School based on the five pillars of “Mindfulness”, “Ethics”, “Compassion”, “Diversity” and “Sustainability”.
Every day, we remind ourselves that we cannot build organizations of consequence without emphasizing the value of these powerful levers. Mahatma Gandhi lived these “pillars” everyday. He became the greatest leader of our times.
Is it too much to ask of ourselves to pay attention to these in the way we work, play cricket, govern our country or run our media?
-Anil Sachdev, Founder, SOIL