What is my purpose? Why am I still here? I thought I was retired and yet, I find myself called to one last very important task. I am searching for a student—or perhaps a group of students like a Panj, (five individuals) who are trending heavily toward truthful leadership. Allow me to explain what I seek.

The Qualities of Leadership

Let me begin by stating that the qualities I speak of herein are not ALL the qualities of leadership in this dharma and communities. This is just the beginning of the service and devotion held as a basic standard of who we are. 

Qualities required for our kind of leadership are rare. They are cultivated over time. While we teach leadership to ALL not everyone is bestowed this opportunity, this divine gift. It’s God’s choice not ours, and His only. God plays by His rule not our hopes. dreams, or wants. Nevertheless, when a student plays by Gods rules, God does take notice. He rarely intervenes as karma plays it’s game. But, when someone is selected, true leadership attracts God’s attention further. That’s why it’s so  important. 

Leadership demands great discipline, a quality not everyone is willing to embrace, even if they believe they can. The cost is too high. "Trending heavily" in the direction of living truthfully is essential to withstand the perpetual challenges that leadership brings—challenges that grow heavier as responsibilities increase.

Showing Up

The first quality of a leader is the ability to show up. True leadership cannot be delegated or performed by proxy, it requires a hands-on involvement. In Sikh Dharma, this manifests through compassionate interaction, as we are ALL interconnected. A true relationship between leader and student is forged through this compassion creating a bond grounded in a shared purpose.

Prayer and Prosperity

In Sikh Dharma, the first prayer of a leader each morning should  be for the elevation and prosperity of our Dharma and its communities. Prosperity, in this context, is not merely financial—though financial stability is important. It’s hard to be spiritual if you don’t known where your next meal is coming from.

Prosperity includes the consciousness to accept ALL forms of wealth with the perspective found in Guru Ram Das’ example. He is the patron saint of of Sikh Dharma and the dispenser of prosperity. He does so with the confidence that His gift of prosperity will be used properly. His example guides us, protects us, and blesses us to prosper, serve, love, and excel. This is the attitude of a true leader in this dharma.

Karma and Accountability

This Dharma was built under the creation of Guru Ram Das. We have been blessed to be His projection.  He controls us according to karma. He has God’s duty of blessing us when we do right, and not blessing us otherwise. Nevertheless, we have the opportunity to get Guru ji’s blessings. He wants us to succeed, but His job is to distribute karma according to our sincerity. A leader takes this risk, this challenge, straight on and relies on Guru Ram Das for everything. He has Guru ji on speed dial. Whether His direction is liked or not, a leader follows our Guru’s will. This guarantees our blessings.

When others doubt, a leader remains steadfast in faith, belief, in trusting that all events unfold according to God’s will. Under Guru Ram Das’ protection, a leader knows that the outcome will be perfect, no matter how painful the process may seem. Leadership means guiding others truthfully aligned with the Guru’s teachings.

Virtues of Leadership

Forgiveness, tolerance, patience, non-judgment, and understanding are the default natures of a true leader. These virtues replace insecurities such as hate, fear, doubt, and anger. 

Carrying Others Along

Our standard is to never give up on anyone. Everyone is welcome. Naturally, not everyone comes with "clean hands." Truth be told, spirituality is a dirty business. A lot of garbage needs to be cleared out. Leadership inspires students to persevere with a faithful manner. This is where patience truly pays.

A great leader carries their students along with them. This compassionate approach is where our humanity shines. It is through love, devotion to God, and unwavering support that leaders distinguish themselves. Carrying others along is a great distinguishing of true leadership.

Decision-Making and Neutrality

A true leader must think, speak, act, and project the Guru’s will in every decision. Every action is evaluated with the question, “Is this in the best interest of the Sangat?” The answer must come from a place of neutrality achieved through alignment with the Guru’s will. Neutrality enables leaders to make decisions unclouded by personal bias or prejudice.

Flexibility and courage are essential to success in this process. Admitting when a perspective is not correctly aligned and incorporating corrective changes—even when painful—are hallmarks of true leadership. Guru Ram Das’ guidance ensures that such changes lead to better outcomes for ALL. Guru ji’s will is the spiritual sanctuary for Sikh dharma and our communities. A leader can access neutrality on command. Change, when aligned with His will, is always beautiful and beneficial.

Listening and Manners

A good leader is an attentive listener. Healing begins with hearing others stories and pain. Listening is not only good manners but a critical aspect of leadership. Respectful interactions, rooted in good manners, separate humanity from  the chaos of others. Compassion a hallmark of Sikh Dharma leadership.

Commitment to Guru’s Will

Our standard is the Guru’s will. This high standard challenges us with difficult questions like, “Why should we help someone who has and wants to further harm or hamper us?” A leader answers such questions with truth, reverence, and honor, knowing that God is the doer of all. A leader’s duty is to act righteously and leave the results to God. This perspective fosters authenticity, truthfulness, service, and devotion.

Responsibility

True leadership embraces responsibility for ALL mistakes and successes alike. Recognizing that everything is karma, everything is the Guru’s projection, and everything is guided by God’s will brings divine support to the chaos of ALL, depending upon how it’s perceived. That is the essence of the job. It’s real, it’s truthful, it’s divine.  

Meeting God halfway by accepting full responsibility for everything is how we invite divine intervention into our life. This drastically reduces karma through God’s grace. This is through the grace of God and the sincerity of the Sangat’s support.

Conclusion

My title of Custodian General of Sikh Dharma is a big job. Custodian General is the lowest of the lowest. He/she does the cleaning, cleans any dirt in leadership. In fulfilling this job, my strategy is to select students who have the opportunity to lead this dharma and it’s associates for many years to come. Let them do the cleaning years into the future. That’s how we leave this organization better than we found it.

The essence of leadership in Sikh Dharma is unwavering commitment to the Guru’s will. It is real, truthful, and divine. Yes, I ask much of leadership, but these high standards are necessary. Our standards are not our dreams, our hopes, our desires, they’re our reality. They reflect not only training and experience but the reality we strive to uphold. We seek the praise of Guru Ram Das by serving His divine projection. This opportunity is a rare and precious grace, one to cherish and uphold with every fiber of our being. It begins and ends with sacrifice to, the discipline of surrender to  Guru Ram Das ji. Stay tuned.

In Perfect Harmony,
Your Partner and Friend on this Fantastic Journey,
Hari Jiwan