War or Peace - How Strategy, Resilience & Leadership matters?

We are all aware of the recent developments in our country following the unfortunate attack in Pahalgam on 22nd April 2025. This has become one of the most tense situations since the 1971 war - a time when India was still finding its footing on the global stage, far from the influential position it holds today. On 10th May, amid the tense situation at the country’s borders, we witnessed how quickly circumstances can change when handled with the right strategy. 

Before I move forward, a heartfelt note of gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces and our national leadership for their unwavering courage and decisive action in safeguarding our borders.

Our history with Pakistan, those times of war, they weren't just about fighting. If you look closely, they teach us some really important things about how to be smart in what we do, how to be strong when things are tough, and how to lead, whether you're a big boss or just trying to guide your family. Even now, when things get tense, those old lessons still hold true. 

A. When the Pressure's On, Be Like Our Leaders:

Think about leaders like Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw during the '71 war. Things were so uncertain, so much pressure. But he was steady, like a rock. He knew what he was doing and made everyone else feel like they did too. Or even someone like Modi ji now, when big problems come up, he talks with clarity, makes a decision.

What we learn for our work: When things go crazy at work, like a big problem suddenly lands on your desk, that's when we need to be like them. Stay calm, have a clear idea of what to do, and make your team feel confident. No need to panic, just show them the way forward with a cool head.

B. Being Smart is Super Important:

Previous victories in war weren't just luck. Our people were smart. They knew what the enemy was doing (intelligence), they attacked at the right time (timing), and everyone worked together like one big team (coordination). That's why we won so well.

What we learn for our work: In our businesses, it's the same. Don't just jump into things without thinking. We need to plan properly, like thinking a few steps ahead. Know your market, know when to make your move, and make sure everyone in your team is on the same page. Long-term thinking wins, not just doing whatever comes to mind right now.

C. When We All Pull Together:

During the '71 war, the whole country felt the same way. The politicians, the regular people, everyone wanted the same thing. That unity, that feeling of "we're all in this together," gave us so much strength.

What we learn for our work: If your team and your leaders are all aiming for the same goal, magic happens. When everyone believes in what they're doing and works together, you can achieve amazing things. It's like everyone rowing the boat in the same direction – you go much faster.

D. Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do:

Think about our soldiers fighting in those wars. Some were in freezing mountains, some in hot deserts. The conditions were terrible, but they didn't give up. They found ways to manage, to keep fighting. They were so adaptable, changing their plans as things happened.

What we learn for life: Life throws curveballs at us all the time. What those soldiers showed us is that if you can bend and adjust when things change, you'll come out stronger. Don't be rigid. Learn to go with the flow and find new ways to get to where you need to be.

E. After the Win, Be Good:

After the wars ended, especially in '71, India didn't just celebrate and forget. We helped rebuild, we tried to make peace. We showed the world that even after a fight, we believe in being good neighbours and doing the right thing.

What startups can learn: If your business has a big success, like getting a lot of customers or making good money, don't just become arrogant. Remember the people who helped you, be fair in your dealings, and think about your reputation. Being responsible after a win is just as important as the win itself.

So, these wars, they were tough times. But they also taught us some beautiful lessons. Lessons about being smart in our plans, being strong when things are hard, leading with a good heart, staying united, and remembering to be good even after we succeed. These aren't just lessons for fighting wars; they're lessons for living a good life and building a good future, for all of us.

---

Peace over War?

Nobody wants war. It's a terrible thing, it takes so much from everyone. But, like in our own homes, if someone comes and hurts our family, tries to take what's ours, what do you do? You have to stand up. Our history with our neighbour has seen times like that, where we were pushed.

It reminds me of what Shri Krishna said in the Mahabharata, when Arjuna was facing a difficult fight. He said:

'यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत। अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।।' - which means, 'Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and a rise in unrighteousness, O Arjuna, at that time I manifest Myself.'

And He also said: 'क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते। क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप।।' meaning, 'O Partha (Arjuna), do not yield to unmanliness, it does not become you. Give up this petty weakness of heart and arise, O scorcher of enemies!'

While we always hope for peace, these words remind us that when faced with injustice, when our hand is forced, we must act with courage and righteousness. The lessons of strategy, resilience, and leadership we talked about earlier? They become even more important when we are standing up for what's right, protecting our own, just like Arjuna had to.