A Leadership Imperative of Our Age
Deadlines are shortening. Markets are evolving. Stakeholders are insisting on leaders delivering faster than ever. Delivery – the ability to deliver with speed and effectiveness-has become a determinative measure of performance.
But it’s not merely speed. With delivery lies Dharma – the ethics of fairness, integrity, and accountability that drive it. In a business context, dharma is what ensures that decisions strengthen, rather than weaken, the culture and trust on which organizations are built.
The struggle between these two forces is known to all leaders. Momentum is powered by delivery, but dharma provides purpose. Single-minded focus on one leads to imbalance: speed without values risks loss of trust, and values without speed risks non-action.
Why Balance Is Important
The cost of ignoring this balance is high. Where delivery is the only focus at any cost, the hidden costs show up in the future:
• Employees are willing to trade values, disconnecting and departing.
• Cultures deteriorate when fairness and inclusion are put aside.
• Reputations are tarnished when expediency replaces accountability.
And when leaders base decisions on principle, they may appear more sluggish in the short term-but they solidify long-term trustworthiness, establish credibility, and foster resilience. Achievement achieved without betraying values is an achievement that lasts.
As Dussehra teaches us, victory is not merely winning, but also how one wins.
Frameworks for Better Decisions
Leaders can balance speed and principle by applying practical tests in decision-making:
The Lakshman Rekha Test
Every organization has lines of demarcation that must never be crossed. Ethical standards, regulatory requirements, and respect for dignity. These are non-negotiable, irrespective of pressure.
The Arrow of Consequence
A decision that is fine today may break down tomorrow. Leaders must weigh not only the immediate outcome, but the impact three weeks hence, three months hence, and three years hence.
The Ram Setu Approach
Healthy outcomes are the result of collective effort, even if the process is longer. Differing opinions may retard the process, but they throw bridges that do not break under pressure.
The Vibhishan Voice
Dissent is not disruption-it is defense. Requesting individuals to speak unpleasant realities prevents us from being blindsided and strengthens our choices.
The Ledger of Trust
Saved time is invaluable; however, acquired trust is invaluable. It’s not merely efficiency that quantifies enduring success, but credibility.
The Embrace Consulting View
In Embrace Consulting, we don’t see this tension as a trade-off but as a leadership skill to be acquired. Successful organizations are those where speed and principle reinforce each other. Leaders who possess the ability to know when to speed up and when to dial back are the ones who achieve results without eroding trust.
The Dussehra season offers a rich pause for reflection. As Ravana effigies are burnt, we might do well to ask ourselves: what “demons” in our systems need to be tackled? Are we sacrificing equity for timetables? Are we stifling voices in the interests of smoother execution? Are our victories durable, or merely to impress?
Closing Insight
Speed creates shock. Principles are built for the long term. True leadership is finding the balance between both. At Embrace Consulting, we assist organizations in instilling frameworks in which execution and integrity are not competing requisitions, but mutual strengths. Because enduring success isn’t just how quickly you’re going, but how responsibly you lead.
1. IndusInd Bank – Derivatives Accounting Concerns
The Mumbai Police are investigating alleged accounting irregularities at IndusInd Bank, focusing on the sudden exit of a key dealer. Some early audit work suggests possible lapses in oversight in their derivatives trading operations.
This shows what can happen when execution (trading growth, profitability) crosses paths with weak internal controls and a lack of accountability.
2. MCA Orders Probes for Corporate Governance Violations
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs in India has launched investigations into Gensol Engineering Ltd and BluSmart, among others, for suspected breaches of governance norms.
It illustrates that regulatory agencies are actively watching when companies prioritize speed (growth, expansion) without sufficient governance guardrails.
3. Boeing’s Culture Failures – Ignoring Whistleblowers
A recent analysis of Boeing reveals that persistent internal quality issues and whistleblower complaints were downplayed or not escalated to the board, weakening safety controls.
This is a stark example of how neglecting internal signals (in favor of delivery targets) can “cost more than the delay” when things break.
