Title don't define a Leader- Sachin Tendulkar story

It is important to remember that Sachin didn’t have to be the captain to be the most important cricketer of his generation, or one of the best paid ones. Unfortunately, the same logic often doesn’t work in companies. The CEO is typically paid disproportionately more than others, leading people to seek out the CEO’s job even if they don’t have what it takes to be a good CEO. He cautions that most companies make the same mistake at lower levels as well when they induce successful individual contributors to seek managerial roles.

Sachin Tendulkar has not been a failure as a leader during his captaincy as it is not the title that defines a leader. Tendulkar always stood for perseverance and hard work and is known for his humility and approachability. One of the biggest strengths of a leader is being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses. Tendulkar was aware that his contribution as a player was more important than being a captain and hence he stepped down and allowed someone else to take that role. This is a sign of a true leader. In a corporate scenario, individuals may be talented in many areas, but should work in a role which works best for an organization.

Moreover, the fact that the Indian team itself is synonymous with Tendulkar makes him a leader. Though he has not performed as per expectations always, he has led the team during its difficult times and was always there to advise the youngsters. The Indian team has always looked up to him for support.

 While Sachin’s main role and expertise was as a batsman, and he contributed as a bowler, captaincy was not his cup of tea.  Sachin was never short of ideas. You could often see him running up to the captain of the day with suggestions on how to get a batsman out, but captaincy didn’t suit him, and he didn’t do well as a captain.  The best individual contributor does not necessarily make the best manager; the best manager does not necessarily make the best CEO. Every new level needs a different skill set, and hence success at one level is no guarantee of success at the next higher one.

Key takeaways for a professional manager -

Focus and work ethic: There are no shortcuts, and, for a young manager, a good work ethic and discipline are key ingredients for long-term success.

Renewal: It is important to reinvent and renew oneself with fresh challenges to keep the adrenaline flowing.

Ability to handle success: It requires great level-headedness and humility to handle fame and money at an early age. Early success need not lead to brash behavior or bad attitude towards colleagues and customers.

Shouldering expectations: Managing periods of high stress without losing your composure is the key to long-term success.

Longevity on the job: Ability to manage the highs and the lows, staying fit and focused are critical for long-term success. Successful managers are ones with the ability to survive and grow out of rough patches and keep motoring on.

Leadership: While being the perfect team man, Sachin’s record as a captain was poor. At times in companies, some outstanding individual contributors aren’t the greatest leaders of businesses.

Fight Back: Sachin Tendulkar seems to be growing younger with age and at 40, he runs like a 20-year-old kid on the field. When running between the wickets for a quick single he can still give youngsters, half his age, a run for their money. Over the years, Sachin Tendulkar has had many career threatening injuries including a back injury, tennis elbow to a more recent wrist injury among many others. He has had multiple surgeries to fix his injuries. But he has always come back stronger and better. His fight back spirit is incredibly awesome even after so many years of being at the elite level and achieving almost everything that one can.

Lesson we can learn: Fight back. No matter what. Giving up and quitting is the sure shot way to failure. Obstacles and hurdles make the journey worthwhile. As they say, if the path is too easy, you’re probably on the wrong one.

Consistency and Longevity: Playing a sport at the international elite level for almost 25 years is in itself a great feat. I remember a friend of mine once arguing with me about Sachin Tendulkar’s fame – “He is no doubt a great player, but he is over-hyped. Anyone who would play for such a long time would break his records”, he said. “That’s exactly the point. How many would?”, I replied.  Sachin Tendulkar has worked on his fitness and form like no other. His insanely long career is a testament to his dedication to the game. He has done everything that was required to make sure he is in shape to play against the best of the world – be it working on his fitness levels, treating injuries, bettering form, et al. And he has been doing this all throughout his life, as he played his first international game at age 16.

Lesson we can learn: Don’t hesitate to travel that extra mile. Do everything that is required to make your dreams come true. Right from working hard on your goal to taking care of your health, and everything in between. Look at the larger picture.

Work Hard in Silence; Let the Work Make Noise: Sachin Tendulkar has had many phases of the drop in form and performance. Some due to injuries, some sheer lack of form. A lot of critics, experts and publications have demanded Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement from international cricket at different points in time, many times. Sachin Tendulkar has been known as a man of few words. He chooses to reply his critics with the bat (on the field). Sachin Tendulkar never bashes criticism in press conferences or interviews. He is humble and takes what comes his way. He lets his game speak. Every time there has been a demand for his retirement or criticism about his drop in form, Sachin Tendulkar has come back with blazing boundaries and sixes, tearing apart the most strong bowling line-ups in the world. When he scores a century (a feat he has achieved 100 times in international cricket) and looks up into the skies to thank the Almighty, his critics look down.

Lesson we can learn: Don’t try to convince people about your abilities by talking. Actions speak much louder than words. Keep working towards your goal and let the world be amazed by your work. Accept criticism, listen to them and drown the voice of your critics with the noise of your success.

Do What You Love: 24^th day of February, the year 2010, Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India – Sachin Tendulkar scores the first double century in the history of limited over cricket also known as One Day International. He leaves the ground at 200 runs and remaining not out. He opened the innings and faced 147 deliveries to achieve the impossible looking figure (until then) in the last over of the 50 over innings. In cricket, a player can take a break from the field when fielding while another player called the 12^th man is replaced to field for him. Playing such an innings and having cramps after being on the field for 50 overs, no one expected to see Sachin Tendulkar fielding when South Africa came out to bat for the run chase. And when the second innings started, there he was – Sachin Tendulkar – looking fresh and enthusiastic like a teenager with a smile on his face, fielding at the slip position. Nothing but one word can explain that behavior – love. Love for the game is what has always kept him going. We have seen him many times walking off the ground even before umpire’s signal when he knew he was out. Such is his integrity and respect for cricket.

Lesson we can learn: Loving your work is the most important thing. When you love doing something, you’re automatically good at it. Dedication and hard work come naturally, resulting in inevitable success. Do something you truly love and you’ll achieve great heights.  If you’re stuck at something for whatever unavoidable reasons, put in love to that too. It will come out good and make you feel great about yourself.

Nothing Is Impossible: Sachin Tendulkar is a patriot. Everyone knows that. “Proud Indian” is what his Twitter account says about him. Two simple words – explains a lot about the man. He has always stated that playing for India was his greatest dream. And winning the World Cup for his nation – his wish. The final match played between India and Sri Lanka of the 2011 Cricket World Cup was held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, which is Sachin Tendulkar’s home ground. 22 years and 6 World Cup appearances later, on 2^nd April 2011, Sachin Tendulkar’s wish was fulfilled – India won the World Cup Cricket, the most prestigious and sought after trophy in the world of cricket. Sachin Tendulkar has played cricket all over the world. But the moment of glory came in front of the home crowd, in his home ground where he started playing cricket as a kid. He couldn’t stop his tears of joy that day. The players of the Indian squad honored him by carrying him on their shoulders across the ground acknowledging the crowd. When asked later by a reporter, Virat Kohli an Indian batsman, famously said, “Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years; it was the time we carried him”.

Lesson we can learn: Dreams do come true. It may take time, but with consistent efforts from one’s end and a belief strong enough to keep pursuing that dream is all it takes. As William Arthur Ward has stated, “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” Nothing is impossible.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Are you Leading?

Dr. Deepak A. Patil

CEO, Lead ThySelf