Stress-Free Leadership Amidst Pandemic - A Quest for Resurgence

Abstract

The Covid19 pandemic has influenced almost all entities on earth. The Paper initially summarises its impact in a classified form; since the situation is dynamic and evolving, the summary is inconclusive and incomprehensive. Whichever way an individual is affected by the medical crisis, the greatest common factor seems to be the mental stress. The recovery from the pandemic lies in an effective leadership but the stress is the greatest obstacle from within in achieving that. To cope with it we require a better understanding of it. Hence the Paper presents a brief comparative synopsis of the theories and coping strategies related to stress from both the Western and the Indian psychological perspectives. Then it throws some light on the other most important component in our present scope i.e. leadership and opines that the Indian Rajarshi leadership model has the in-built mechanisms to handle stress and lead to a stress-free paradigm. The hypothesis is established through some illustrations from ancient as well as contemporary Indian history, in the process the Paper points out how some of the contemporary luminaries dealt with the epidemic/pandemic of their times in a stress-free manner. Then it goes on to present some of the learning points derived from the aforesaid impacts of the pandemic in the light of the Rajarshi thoughts. The principles, so discussed, are then connected to the question of revival from the present decline. The Paper concludes with a call from our ancient wisdom.