Four Ancient Keys to Effective Leadership

Tantric Buddhism offers four surprisingly effective leadership behaviors

 If you want to be a good leader, you can certainly find all kinds of advice. There are countless "do's" and "don'ts" and long general discussions about the best principles to follow.  However, the ancient wisdom of Tantric Buddhism suggests that the most effective leadership behaviors aren't preplanned or calculated. They arise spontaneously—from within.

The benefits of mindfulness are well-known: by bringing our calm undivided attention to whatever is happening in the present moment, we see things more clearly and avoid rash mistakes. But other meditation practices can take us deeper, helping us cultivate the hidden potentials within ourselves, so they naturally arise at the right moment.

Tara's Four "Enlightened Activities"

Tantric visualization practices reach down to the wellsprings of our behavior in the deepest layers of our psyche. Visualizing the great Female Buddha Tara, for example, puts us in touch with the primal energy of life. It allows us to cultivate what are known as her four enlightened activities: pacifying, enriching, magnetizing, and destroying. The deeper our connection to Tara, the stronger the seeds of these four enlightened activities grow, and the more they can become well-developed leadership behaviors. When the right moment comes, they arise as effortlessly as our breath. Our actions will be increasingly clear, sharp, and effective because they arise from the deepest source of our being.

• Pacifying:  This is the first of Tara's enlightened activities. When everyone is agitated and upset, groups seldom function effectively. The wise leader seeks to calm things down, resolve conflicts, and settle turmoil. The key is to have the same calm presence you are trying to encourage in others. The tone of your voice, the look in your eyes, choice of your words will do far more than any contrived strategies. But you can't fake it. You have to take the time to cultivate peace within yourself if you are to show it to the world.

• Enriching:  These days when we talk about enriching activities, we think of building up our wealth. But the enlightened activity of enrichment is far more than that. It is a kind of nourishment. You provide what people need to flourish and be effective. You inspire them and give them purpose. You make sure they have all the tools and support they need to do the task at hand. Helping people feel respected and useful, you gain their support and respect. Everyone will feel safer and more empowered, and their behavior will become more effective. 

• Magnetizing:  When you are in touch with the primal energy of life, you have a kind of charismatic quality. Not necessarily like a movie star or famous politician, but just as real. You radiate a subtle magnetic quality that attracts people and draws them together. Of course, you can use that power for foolish egocentric ends. But use it wisely, and it can help you unify people around important goals and meld them together into a cohesive and effective group.

• Destroying:  We think of destructive behavior as something for criminals and spoiled children. Something good leaders always try to avoid. But it isn't so simple. In fact, some relationships need to end. There are groups that can no longer function and must be replaced. There are unhealthy attitudes and behaviors that have to change. As your inner strength grows, you will find that you automatically say no when it is called for. You take steps to end what needs to end, even in the face of fierce resistance. Yet you never succumb to anger, hostility, or blame. Instead, you recognize how hard what you ask may be for some people, and offer them your support and guidance.

Cultivating Effective Leadership Behaviors

Tantric meditation offers one of the fastest and most effective ways to cultivate our inner strength and, with it, the seeds of spontaneously effective action. Yet it is not for everyone. Test it out. Look carefully at an image of Tara, or better yet picture her in your mind, and see if you feel some kind of connection. If you do, cultivate that feeling and see what happens. You can start by just repeating her mantra — Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā — when you are under stress or seeking the answers to a difficult problem. If you already have a meditation practice, you can start each session by imagining her in the space in front of you as clearly as you can. Then call on her for support and guidance.  

The next stage is to visualize enlightened wisdom and strength flowing from her into you. The culmination of the practice is to actually merge with her and all her boundless power.  When you do, you will be able to access your own inner strength as never before. Then whenever you face a difficult situation, an effective response will arise without strain or effort. 

James William Coleman, PhD is a Professor of Sociology Emeritus at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a specialty in the sociology of religion, and a founding member of the White Heron Sangha, a peer-led community that welcomes practices from all Buddhist traditions.  He studied Buddhism intensively under Roshi Reb Anderson of the San Francisco Zen Center, and with Lama Palden Drolma in the Kagyu Shanpa lineage of Kalu Rinpoche. He is the author of numerous books and articles, the latest of which is Searching for Tara: The Goddess Who Became a Buddha from Bloomsbury Publications. Learn more at jameswilliamcoleman.com.