Summary: As the nation celebrates its 71^st year of independence, let’s take a moment to remember the heroes of our freedom struggle and business lessons we can learn from their example.

History has given us many exemplary leaders. They had amazing personalities and attributes which can be a great fount of inspiration for us.

These leaders may have existed at a different time but their relevance and legacy is timeless. Their message still holds meaning. Business owners can learn some important lessons from the lives of the protagonists of our freedom struggle.

1. Mahatma Gandhi
“Be the change that you want to see in the world,” said Gandhiji.

Change begins with you. As a business owner, it’s imperative to push your limits, take concrete action, and then you can witness your vision come to life. For example, Gandhiji was determined to promote Indian-made goods and abolish the unfair monopoly of British goods in the market.  He came up with the innovative idea of weaving and wearing khadi and ultimately the swadeshi wave swept the country. Similarly, entrepreneurs must take decisive action to realise their business dreams.

2. Rabindranath Tagore
“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” said Tagore.

Tagore believed that true joy was found in a life committed to working for others. As the leader of an organisation, your greatest resource is your team members. Investing in training your team and working for their fulfillment will always yield rich dividends. Create a work environment where innovative ideas flourish and there is overall harmony and contentment.

3. Jawaharlal Nehru
 “Success belongs to those who act boldly without being afraid of consequences,” said Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

The hallmark of our freedom fighters is that they plunged into the freedom struggle, unafraid of retribution. It is a fact that entrepreneurship is full of uncertainties. An entrepreneur must vanquish all fears and act boldly. As a business leader, you are solely responsible for the success of the enterprise and therefore you must advance with confidence.

4. Sarojini Naidu
“We want deeper sincerity of motive, a greater courage in speech and earnestness in action,” said Sarojini Naidu.

These words by Sarojini Naidu ring true for all entrepreneurs. Sincerity, courage and earnest action determine business success.

5. Sardar Patel
“Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonized and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power,” said Sardar Patel.

Sardar Patel was the unstoppable force that was the key to uniting newly independent India. In any nation or organisation, unity leads to greater growth. Individuals who are at cross-purposes with each other, seldom achieve anything significant. As an entrepreneur, it is your responsibility to be a unifying force and create a culture of harmony within the organisation.

6. Bhagat Singh
“Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting-stone of ideas,” said Bhagat Singh.

Ultimately it is ideas that are the foundation of change. Entrepreneurs must ensure that their core business idea adds value to the life of its target customers, and then work towards bringing this idea to life.

The leaders of our freedom struggle have left us a rich legacy of thoughts, words and deeds. Let’s pledge to advance in their footsteps and create exemplary teams, businesses and nation.