HALT Your Decision—Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.—21st-Century Philosopher & The Father of “Soft Leadership

 

 “Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.” —Napoleon

We all make decisions in life. All decisions may not deliver fruitful results as some decisions succeed while some fail. If we take precautions while making decisions the probability of success will be higher. But how to make smart decisions is a million-dollar question. There is no magic wand to make sure all decisions are successful. However, what we can do is to HALT your decision where HALT is the acronym for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tensely to ensure a higher success rate in decision-making. Here is how HALT goes:

When you are hungry you tend to make biased decisions as you have a strong appetite. When you are in anger you make decisions impulsively. When you are lonely you make decisions based on your emotions without consulting others. Finally, when you are in a tense mood you are in a confused state.

For successful decision-making, it is vital to use your head and heart. People either use their heads or hearts and rarely do they blend both to achieve the desired outcomes. When you go by head you go by logic and reason but you may not have any concern for people. Precisely, you go by task orientation. In contrast, when you go by heart you go by emotions and feelings with a concern for people. Precisely, you go by people orientation. However, if you want to eat the cake and have it too, then it is essential to blend both your head and heart that is to care for people and also production so that you can achieve desired outcomes by taking all aspects in view.

Hence, halt your decision when you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tense, and blend your head and heart to make sound decisions. Good Luck!

Reference

https://www.amazon.com/Soft-Leadership-New-Direction/dp/1949003523

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“Things You Don’t Know about Professor M. S. Rao” http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-you-dont-know-about-professor-m.html

Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html

Note: I had a brain hemorrhage. I was in bed for five months. My right hand has been numb and paralyzed. I am recovering. Thanks for empathizing with me. With gratitude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFJrSRLHPUk&ab_channel=ProfessorM.S.Rao

Life is great!

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.

Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.-S.-Rao/e/B00MB63BKM

Vision 2030: https://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com

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See the Light in You: https://www.amazon.com/See-Light-You-Spiritual-Mindfulness/dp/1949003132

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Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.

Copyright©2025 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S. Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog; redistribute them by email or post them on the web. The use of this material is free provided the copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com. This material may not be sold, published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Are There Level 6 Leaders?—Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.—21st-Century Philosopher & The Father of “Soft Leadership

 

According to Jim Collins, there are five levels of leadership. The level 1 leaders are good at their work individually. They can contribute their best individually both efficiently and effectively. The Level 2 leaders are not only efficient and effective but also work in teams effectively thus gelling well with team members. Level 3 leaders are competent managers who can get the work done effectively and efficiently from level 1 and level 2 leaders. The Level 4 leaders think ahead of Level 3 leaders as they have a clear vision of where they intend to go and take their team members forward. Finally, the level 5 leaders are highly passionate and don't mind who gets credit for their contribution. They have humility and professional will. Such leaders take organizations to greater heights of glory. Level 5 leaders are required to take organizations from good to great. Are there level 6 leaders beyond level 5 leaders? Let us look at the same.

Level 6 Leaders

Level 6 leaders work with passion, patience, and perseverance. They emphasize values and ethics. They empathize with others. They believe in values-based leadership. They build further leaders thus ensuring the longevity of the organizations. They know how to inspire the motivate people. They are master trainers and mentor others. They are transformational leaders with a passion for making others believe in themselves for the good of others. They are knowledge leaders having specialized knowledge. They are thought leaders who see the invisible and forecast future requirements that are beyond the reach of normal leaders.

Level 6 leaders strive for the personal and professional success of their followers. They handhold, guide and groom them as leaders. They create more leaders to take things forward. They ensure the longevity of the organization without expecting any rewards and returns.

To conclude, level 6 leaders create more leaders. They are above level 5 leaders. They are humane and kindhearted. They believe in soft leadership that blends both soft and hard skills. These leaders are legends who will be remembered for several generations for their commitment and making a difference in the lives of others.

Reference

https://www.amazon.com/Soft-Leadership-New-Direction/dp/1949003523

Share if you care!

“Things You Don’t Know about Professor M. S. Rao” http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-you-dont-know-about-professor-m.html

Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html

Note: I had a brain hemorrhage. I was in bed for five months. My right hand has been numb and paralyzed. I am recovering. Thanks for empathizing with me. With gratitude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFJrSRLHPUk&ab_channel=ProfessorM.S.Rao

Life is great!

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.

Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.-S.-Rao/e/B00MB63BKM

Vision 2030: https://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professormsrao

Substack: https://professormsrao.substack.com

X: http://twitter.com/professormsrao

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorMSRao

Meta: https://www.facebook.com/Professor-MS-Rao-451516514937414

See the Light in You: https://www.amazon.com/See-Light-You-Spiritual-Mindfulness/dp/1949003132

Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.

Copyright©2025 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S. Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog; redistribute them by email or post them on the web. The use of this material is free provided the copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com. This material may not be sold, published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Leadership is Lonely at the Top—Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.—21st-Century Philosopher & The Father of “Soft Leadership”

 

"Leadership is not popularity. It is getting results." —Peter Drucker.

People often compare leadership with popularity. Leadership is more of taking responsibility inviting both bouquets and brickbats. It involves a lot of struggles and sacrifices. Leaders undergo a lot of trials and tribulations and more pain than pleasure during their lifetime. Leadership is mostly a thankless job as leaders are often criticized for what was not done properly than the one that was done properly. And leadership is lonely at the top. Frieda Fromm Reichman once remarked, "People are more frightened of being lonely than of being hungry, or being deprived of sleep, or of having their sexual needs unfulfilled"

Leadership is indeed lonely at the top as leaders cannot discuss certain things freely with others and associate with others freely for fear of kicking up controversies and getting wrangled with irrelevant issues. Most of the leaders suffer internally a lot as they are caught between the devil and the deep sea. They are scared of revealing their weaknesses to their peers and friends and avoid talking with people as they might be interpreted wrongly. They cannot afford to lose their hard-earned positions and powers and at the same time, they cannot pursue several things that are close to their hearts. At times associating with others raises expectations and people expect favors from them leaders cannot help as they are committed to their office obligations and oath of secrecy.

Leadership versus Popularity

Popularity and leadership don't go together as both are poles apart. However, some people believe that leadership gives popularity. If leadership gives popularity then it is a bonus for the leaders. When everything goes well people praise and when something goes wrong people criticize. In addition, it is lonely at the top as leaders cannot enjoy privacy and freedom like any other common man. They cannot move freely for fear of security. Overall, they have to struggle and sacrifice a lot as leaders.

A Take-Home Message

“Criticism is something you can avoid easily—by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing." —Aristotle.

Leaders make several decisions and all decisions may not go well. When some decisions go wrong leaders are subjected to severe criticism and they become unpopular. John Maxwell says, "The price of leadership is criticism. No one pays much attention to last-place finishers, but when you're in front, everything gets noticed. Since leaders live with criticism it is important to learn to handle it constructively." At times intentions of the leaders may be good but their actions reflect quite the opposite resulting in unpopularity. You cannot please all. You cannot be good with all. There is always a section of people who may not be happy with your leadership style, policies, and actions. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, John F Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. to name a few were assassinated not because they were bad leaders but because they failed to please a section of people. Leaders can be good to some while bad for others. The majority of the leaders want to do good things for people. When the interests of a particular section are hurt then leaders are criticized and sometimes assassinated. Hence, leadership is not a popularity contest. Leadership is about taking responsibility and reaching goals and objectives unmindful of bouquets and brickbats. It involves convictions and going ahead with things despite stiff opposition from a few quarters. To conclude, leadership is not a popularity contest. It is taking responsibility, walking the talk, and receiving both bouquets and brickbats.

Share if you care!

“Things You Don’t Know about Professor M. S. Rao” http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-you-dont-know-about-professor-m.html

Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html

Note: I had a brain hemorrhage. I was in bed for five months. My right hand has been numb and paralyzed. I am recovering. Thanks for empathizing with me. With gratitude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFJrSRLHPUk&ab_channel=ProfessorM.S.Rao

Life is great!

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.

Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.-S.-Rao/e/B00MB63BKM

Vision 2030: https://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professormsrao

Substack: https://professormsrao.substack.com

X: http://twitter.com/professormsrao

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorMSRao

Meta: https://www.facebook.com/Professor-MS-Rao-451516514937414

See the Light in You: https://www.amazon.com/See-Light-You-Spiritual-Mindfulness/dp/1949003132

Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.

Copyright©2025 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S. Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog; redistribute them by email or post them on the web. The use of this material is free provided the copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com. This material may not be sold, published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Free Upcoming Memoir “Survivor: Turn Your Scars Into Stars”—Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.—21st-Century Philosopher & The Father of “Soft Leadership”

 

Dear friends,

“Craft a captivating memoir that resonates with readers. Conduct research, organize your ideas, create a synopsis, and elaborate on it. Introduce themes of conflict, adversity, resilience, betrayal, storytelling, climax, and hope. Avoid preaching. Illustrate how you transformed your life in the present tense. Allow your story to enchant you while you engage your audience. Share vivid, emotional, and poignant experiences. Present relatable and inspiring tales that leave a lasting impact.” ―Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.—21st-Century Philosopher & The Father of “Soft Leadership”

I am excited to share with you that I authored a memoir titled "Survivor: Turn Your Scars Into Stars." I would appreciate it if you could share your thoughts about this memoir on social media channels, including Meta, X, and LinkedIn.

People often blame the mud around them. When you view it positively, lotus blossoms from the mud. Great people rose from the mud of toxic families and toxic relationships because they did not blame their families and circumstances. Instead, they created their destinies with their hard work and left their legacies.

Covert Your Scars into Stars

I didn't have a sort of happy childhood. My childhood was chaotic and I was lucky that I joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 04 Feb 1982 and grew as a healthy citizen. I owe IAF a lot. I served in the lowest rank of a corporal for 12 years.

Understand the fact that the world respects only achievers, not failures. Remember that nobody can achieve greatness without facing failures, insults, and humiliations.

I was born in a toxic family and grew up in a toxic environment. My childhood was painful with suffering and struggles. I was passionate about reading and acquiring qualifications but I was a dyslexic with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). I was a below-average student. I did not enjoy convent education. I used to go to substandard schools and assisted my father after school time in his tea stall—sometimes collecting cash, sometimes making tea, and sometimes cleaning dishes left by the customers. So, I could not enjoy my childhood with my passions and sports. God was kind to me and showed me the path to joining the Indian Air Force (IAF) when I was 18 years old. That was the place where I started to grow as a positive and healthy individual eating well, exercising well, studying well, and receiving a little payment every month. When I joined IAF I was not even a graduate. However, I continued my education and acquired several qualifications by working hard in service and sacrificing my leisure time and holidays to pursue education through correspondence courses. I earned, my DME, BSc, MA, PGDCLL, PGDBM, and MBA while serving in the Indian Air Force, and finally earned my Ph.D. in 2011. I did a business that did not work and ended up with financial challenges. My wife, two sons and I have been undergoing financial challenges for the last 18 years. We lived in a single-bedroom flat and slept on the floor without a cot for a decade. My life has been painful. I was cheated by my siblings and rogue relatives. But God has been kind to me by holding my hands and showing me the right path to share my knowledge freely with the world and serve others.

Rise from the Ashes Like a Phoenix

Great leaders rose from several struggles and sufferings. They overcame several challenges. They were often written off by others. Critics thought that these great leaders were finished. But they bounced back. They proved their critics wrong. They rose from ashes like the phoenix.

You will come out of the troubles and rubbles. Therefore, fight back. Fight to the finish. Take your battle to your logical end. Prove your critics wrong. Prove your backstabbers wrong that you are not finished. You are down temporarily, not out permanently.

Life is never a straight line. Covert your scars into stars. Every fall has a rise. Rise like a phoenix. Life is great.

My Life Has Been a Bed of Thorns Since Childhood

I rose from humble origins. I belong to a lower-middle-class family. I still have financial challenges and struggle even today due to a lack of income from my books and training programs. But I am passionate about writing books and sharing my knowledge freely with the world.

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.—21st-Century Philosopher & The Father of “Soft Leadership”: “I am 62 years old, and a survivor of a brain stroke in 2021. I was not blessed with a luxurious childhood. Besides, I was born into a toxic family and grew up in a toxic environment. My life is full of struggles and suffering. I have mental, physical, and financial challenges. I don’t get any pension and regular income.”

Note: Here is the link to purchase my bestselling book 'See the Light in You' https://www.amazon.com/See-Light-You-Spiritual-Mindfulness/dp/1949003132

Share if you care!

“Things You Don’t Know about Professor M. S. Rao” http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-you-dont-know-about-professor-m.html

Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html

Note: I had a brain hemorrhage. I was in bed for five months. My right hand has been numb and paralyzed. I am recovering. Thanks for empathizing with me. With gratitude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFJrSRLHPUk&ab_channel=ProfessorM.S.Rao

Life is great!

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.

Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.-S.-Rao/e/B00MB63BKM

Vision 2030: https://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professormsrao

Substack: https://professormsrao.substack.com

X: http://twitter.com/professormsrao

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorMSRao

Meta: https://www.facebook.com/Professor-MS-Rao-451516514937414

See the Light in You: https://www.amazon.com/See-Light-You-Spiritual-Mindfulness/dp/1949003132

Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.

Copyright©2025 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S. Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog; redistribute them by email or post them on the web. The use of this material is free provided the copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com. This material may not be sold, published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

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Are You A Pygmalion Professor?—Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.—21st-Century Philosopher & The Father of “Soft Leadership”

 

"Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be."—Goethe.

The term Pygmalion has its origin where a sculptor by the name of Pygmalion who fell in love with a female statue he had carved out of ivory. Pygmalion was a Cyprus king who crafted several statues. However, he did not like them. When he created an ivory statue of a beautiful woman, Galatea (means sleeping love) he finally fell in love with her. The statue was so amazing that Pygmalion became mad at her and prayed to Aphrodite to give life to the statue. Ultimately Pygmalion was blessed and the beautiful woman breathed life.

From this Greek mythological story, it becomes clear that when you expect more out of others you get more out of them. For instance, when parents expect a lot from their children, the children will live up to their expectations. Similarly, in the workplace when superiors expect more out of their subordinates, they will get the best out of them. Precisely, your outcome is directly proportional to your expectations and aspirations. The term Pygmalion is also associated with Professor Higgins who treated Eliza Doolittle, the heroine as a flower girl in George Bernard Shah’s play ‘Pygmalion’

Importance of Pygmalion Effect

The importance of the Pygmalion effect is manifold in this current complex world. At a time when there is cut-throat competition due to rapid changes in technology, we need to look for innovative ideas and solutions to stay ahead of others. The Pygmalion effect helps lift performance levels in all walks of life. As human potential is unlimited, we can adopt this effect to unlock human potential for ensuring all-round progress and success.

If you expect more you get more is the slogan of the Pygmalion effect. As success is won twice; first in your real life and then in your real life, your outcome depends on your earnest efforts. If you think good, good things will happen; and if you dream big, you become big. Similarly, if your love is true you will succeed in love. When you really love someone and miss then you will get back if you have a Pygmalion mindset.

Are You a Pygmalion Professor?

You may be surprised when I coined the concept of Pygmalion Professor! Pygmalion Professor is the one who counsels, crafts, mentors, and molds students. He helps students tap and realize their potential by encouraging and expecting the best out of them.

If the educators are passionate they can convert dull students into bright students. If they have command in their subject and if their commitment is strong they can arouse interest among the students and influence and impact them. Educator is like a violinist and students are like violins. As a violinist can generate various types of sounds the educators can also generate various techniques to share their knowledge for creating enlightened students.

When you teach with great intentions and passion, you will get a positive response from your students. A good educator must be a Pygmalion Professor at heart as s/he expects and strives for the best out of students. If a professor is passionate s/he can get the best out of students. Pygmalion Professor creates bright students. However, here is a caution! Like the mythological sculptor Pygmalion, the Pygmalion Professor should not fall in love personally with students but must fall in love professionally in developing and grooming students as successful personalities.

A Take-Home Message

The Pygmalion effect is useful in many walks of life. When you lead at home, it is essential; when you lead people at the workplace, you need to demonstrate; when you love someone, you need to adapt. As the saying goes, 'As you sow, so you reap', if you praise your people you get the best out of them. It is like an echo. When you shout good, you hear good, when you shout bad you hear bad. To conclude, adopting the Pygmalion effect in all walks of life is imperative for all-around peace, prosperity, and success.

Share if you care!

“Things You Don’t Know about Professor M. S. Rao” http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2015/10/things-you-dont-know-about-professor-m.html

Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html

Note: I had a brain hemorrhage. I was in bed for five months. My right hand has been numb and paralyzed. I am recovering. Thanks for empathizing with me. With gratitude. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFJrSRLHPUk&ab_channel=ProfessorM.S.Rao

Life is great!

Professor M.S. Rao, Ph.D.

Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.-S.-Rao/e/B00MB63BKM

Vision 2030: https://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professormsrao

Substack: https://professormsrao.substack.com

X: http://twitter.com/professormsrao

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorMSRao

Meta: https://www.facebook.com/Professor-MS-Rao-451516514937414

See the Light in You: https://www.amazon.com/See-Light-You-Spiritual-Mindfulness/dp/1949003132

Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.

Copyright©2025 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S. Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog; redistribute them by email or post them on the web. The use of this material is free provided the copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.com. This material may not be sold, published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.