BK Ritu Thakkar
When I began my research on “Conscious Leadership for Global Impact and Growth: Insights from Women-Led Institution – Brahma Kumaris”, I knew I was stepping into a living laboratory of leadership—one that did not just exist in books or boardrooms, but in meditation rooms, service centers, and quiet moments of personal transformation.
This was not a study of titles and positions, but of values and vibrations. It was about discovering how women leaders at the Brahma Kumaris embody a style of leadership deeply rooted in spirituality, service, and inner transformation, and how this leadership has been instrumental in shaping both the institution and the millions of lives it touches.
The story of the Brahma Kumaris began in 1937 in Hyderabad, Sindh (now in Pakistan) — is now an international spiritual institution that has thousands of centres in more than 110 countries and has provided its spiritual services in more than 130 Countries. What makes this growth story remarkable is not just the numbers, but the nature of expansion—it has been volunteer-driven and rooted in spiritual values. This quiet yet steady growth reflects the institution’s unwavering focus on inner transformation as the foundation for outer change.
Why This Research?
In a world driven by speed, competition, and performance metrics, leadership often feels transactional. But at the Brahma Kumaris, leadership is transformational. Here, authority is not commanded; it is earned through self-mastery, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the greater good.
I wanted to understand:
- How has women-led spiritual leadership contributed to the institution’s global growth?
- What values are consistently reflected in their leadership style?
- Can this model be relevant—and even replicable—in other sectors of society?
Research Process
My approach combined qualitative reflections with quantitative insights from a structured questionnaire. Responses are being captured from senior members who have worked closely with the top women leaders (Administrative Heads and Additional Administrative Heads), fondly known as the Dadijis and Didis.
The respondents were senior Brothers and Sisters from Brahma Kumaris and those involved in administrative roles worldwide. Their answers gave me not just statistics, but stories— snapshots of moments where leadership was defined not by power, but by presence.
While I am still in the process of capturing more insights and reflections, the study and data collected so far have been quite enriching experience for me.
What the Numbers Say
While leadership is often measured in profits and performance charts, here’s what stood out from the responses captured so far:
Impact on Growth and Global Expansion:
Influence of Women-Led Spiritual Leadership on the growth and global expansion of Brahma Kumaris: Over 90% of respondents rated it extremely influential, and others rated it as significantly influential. 0 respondents rated moderately or less.
Values in Action:
Values like unity, trust, empathy, and service are reflected in leadership practices: 95% of respondents rated it always, and others experienced is often. 0 respondents rated as sometimes, occasionally or rarely.
Global Relevance:
100% of respondents felt the Brahma Kumaris leadership model is “very” or “highly” relevant to today’s global challenges, from sustainability to peacebuilding.
Inclusivity:
Leaders are perceived as fully inclusive, welcoming individuals regardless of nationality, culture, gender, or age.
Collective Decision Making:
Over 90% respondents rated decision-making as often collective rather than individual.
Replicable:
Over 85% respondents rated the women-led spiritual leadership model largely replicable in other institutions and organisations.
What Makes This Leadership Different
From my observations and the narratives shared, three qualities set this leadership apart:
- Self-Mastery Before Leadership of Others: Every leader at the Brahma Kumaris is first
a student of Rajyoga meditation. Decision-making is preceded by inner stillness,
allowing actions to flow from clarity rather than reaction. - Service-Centered Vision: Growth is not pursued for its own sake; it is a by-product of
service. Projects are evaluated not just on efficiency, but on the values they uphold. - Collective Harmony Over Individual Ego: In a world that often celebrates the “strong,
decisive leader,” the Brahma Kumaris approach values consensus, patience, and the
strength of the collective mind.
Lessons for the Wider World
The insights from this research are not confined to the Brahma Kumaris community. Whether you are leading a corporation, an institution, or a group, there are lessons to takeaway:
- Lead from Values, Not from Fear: Decisions anchored in values build trust that lasts
beyond crises. - Practice Inclusion as a Habit, Not an Event: Inclusivity is not just about inviting diversity,
but ensuring every voice feels heard and valued. - Prioritize Inner Work: External leadership strength is sustained only when leaders invest
in their own emotional and spiritual well-being.
My Personal Journey
Conducting this research was not just an academic exercise—it was a mirror. In every interview, I found myself reflecting on my own spiritual progress and growth – Was I listening enough? Was I leading from ego or from essence? The process reminded me that leadership is not a role we step into; it is a “state of being” we cultivate every day. There were moments of deep connection—when a respondent’s words felt like a personal blessing. There were also humbling moments, realising how much I still had to learn about patience, humility, and silent strength.
The Road Ahead
This is just the beginning. The next phase of my work will involve collecting more insights, deeper thematic analysis, identifying specific practices that have sustained the Brahma Kumaris for decades, and distilling them into frameworks that could be adapted by other institutions.
My hope is to share these findings not only within the spiritual community but also with leaders in education, healthcare, and corporate spaces who are seeking sustainable, values-driven leadership models.
In the end, this research has reinforced one truth:
Conscious leadership is not about leading others—it is about awakening the leader within.
And in a world that often looks for light outside, perhaps the most radical thing we can do is to lead from the light within.
About the contributor: Ritu Thakkar is an Author and Coach based in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She is a fellow of the YWLPPF 3.0 – Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship, Cohort 3.0.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
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Acknowledgement: This article was posted by Rashmi Kumari, a research intern at IMPRI.
