A MOMENT of defiance… or a silent, but fierce, aggression? This is a perennial dilemma for a leader, in any field. Both choices bring their own value to the contest but there is a subtle line of decency which delivers the final impact. Aggression for the gallery is an attractive theatre, satiating the pent-up wishes of a section of followers but it also comes with a high cost of provoking the opponent for retribution. A few days ago, this subtle line of decency came into play with a brutal force in the hallowed corridors of Lord’s cricket ground as the young and fiery Indian captain Shubman Gill copped up the consequences of an irresponsible aggression. It was a crash course for Gill as much as it was a management lesson for all aspiring leaders in their chosen fields. Already drawing comparisons with his idol Virat Kohli, skipper Gill was all fired up against the delaying tactics adopted by English batsmen at the fag-end of the fourth day.

 

A three-four minutes drama unfolded and Gill adorned the skin of Kohli to give a mouthful to the host batters, albeit in a way defying the subtle line of decency. The exchange was cheered up by the Indian fans on the ground and on the social media as Gill was hailed as a face of rebellion. It was an act described by charged-up cricket fans as a bold face of a New India which does not care about traditions or reputations. The underlying fact remains that it was a wrong manner of expressing anger. No matter what the cricket experts feel about the narrow Indian loss, Gill’s moment of madness proved to be a rallying point for England’s bowlers in the second innings. This one episode from the cricket field finds echoes in a lot of other fields where a leader’s mettle is tested in the method of venting out his aggression.

 

For Gill, the meaning of aggression might have come from the Sourav Ganguly School of Captainship but he seems to have cherry-picked only one act of defiance without picking its actual context. Despite his blazing style of captaincy, Ganguly was never an untamed bully charging at opponents. He was always calculated, letting out his anger with shrewd moves and standing for his men with brave but responsible actions. The man, who taught the Men in Blue the art of winning, always answered fire with fire but needless foul-mouthing was never his style of aggression. As he is being looked up to as a brave new face of Indian cricket, Gill would do well to learn the intricacies of becoming a statesman-leader.

 

Aggression is always a telling device of a leader. It is one trait that differentiates the ordinary from extraordinary. In sports, however, aggression is more often than not misinterpreted as a licence to demean an opponent by trampling the confines of decency. In reality, aggression is a potion that hardens the fighting spirit of an individual, goading one to take on challenges by stretching the threshold of pain -- mental and physical. The aggression in Rahul Dravid’s eyes that bowlers saw all those years did not speak a single word. It was full of the intensity of a determined soul willing to come out a winner by not giving away his wicket. Searing inswingers would rattle the willow in his hand but the ball would always coyly drop dead near his left boot. It was Dravid’s way of showing aggression -- by thwarting attacks for hours together.

 

The refrain of Sachin Tendulkar’s flowing bat for deliveries outside off-stump during his marathon double century bore a stamp of aggression -- of emerging out triumphant from a trap. There would be exchange of stern glances, an occasional dismissive gesture but never an abusive barrage. These people had found the correct meaning of the word aggression, and their leadership, even without a label, eventually churned a monumental revolution in Indian cricket. Gill has the role-models well within his reach. The skipper might be tempted to adopt a bold approach of taking the bull by horns, influenced by the comparisons with Kohli, but if he is seeking a long run in his career and a longer stay in the leadership role then Gill should take a leaf out of Kohli’s second coming. From a brash lad full of fire and rebellion, Kohli settled into the role of a senior professional who was respectful of cricket’s traditions.

 

Though recklessness would be eager to come out during some fragile moments, Kohli had learned to temper his attitude. It was possible after he started reflecting on his behaviour and accepted the flaws within. He was ready for a course-correction. Gill has the maturity to pick these traits for his as well as the team’s good. Introspection is a necessary equipment for a leader. It is an excruciating, agonising ritual to acknowledge fallibility and humble one’s ego. True leaders always indulge in this ritual at the top of their career. Their mental churn helps them find new ways to navigate through challenging times. They continue to reflect on their moves, on their decisions, on their responses. This reflection involves wrestling with discomfort and questioning assumptions. They keep revising internal narratives while building a strong ethical behaviour. In this reaction-driven world totally obsessed with immediate repartee, choosing the radical way of reflecting before reacting can help Gill become a strong captain and also a respected leader. The Lord’s experience hands Gill an opportunity to tackle the dilemma and devise a new strategy of showing aggression. It is going to be a continuing battle of attrition against the revitalised Englishmen. They will come back at the young Indian captain. They will test his nerves. This time, Gill’s reaction needs to be constructed around the wise and time-tested war strategy – Revenge is a dish best served cold.