Dhoni Proves The Difference Between Instinct And Luck: Harsha And Anita Bhogle

Midway through the World Cup there were references to Dhoni's luck - that India could win it because he was lucky. Isn't it interesting that the best leaders in the world tend to be lucky? Or is it because they have an ability to read a situation quickly and back the right person? Dhoni's success is proof of the difference between instinct and luck. Dhoni's instincts stay sharp because he is calm, and a calm opponent is the most dangerous opponent. When things start going wrong, everyone looks towards the leader. If he is chewing his nails or stomping around, it means the situation is getting to him. When the leader is calm, the team believes there is still hope.

Ian Chappell once told us the first principle of leadership: congratulate in public and criticise in private. The world can celebrate your success but being berated in public is humiliating. Except for one occasion when he urged his teammates not to play for the crowds but for the team, Dhoni has hardly ever lashed out at his team. He must have done it within the dressing room at times, but by doing it that way he showed respect for his teammates, strengthened the bond. He seems very secure in his job and has a way of respecting seniority. He did that with Anil Kumble and with Sourav Ganguly, and made himself invisible when Sachin Tendulkar was having his moment immediately after India won the World Cup. It was Dhoni's and India's Cup, but he let it be Tendulkar's moment.

And he is not afraid of admitting his mistakes. No leader gets it right 10 out of 10, but insecure leaders try to cover up mistakes. Honesty is an essential attribute of a leader.

Harsha and Anita Bhogle run Prosearch Consultants. They do corporate programmes on lessons from sport for managers. Their book, The Winning Way, will be published next month.

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