Gangubai - because purpose drove action

I had the opportunity to watch Gangubai Kathiawadi today on an OTT platform. And no, these are not thoughts about the cinematography, or the acting, or the storyline, or the music and dance - though all of these were outstanding. It is also not about whether the movie truly reflects the life of Gangubai, or the producers took some cinematic and creative liberties. I am not competent to debate that.

What struck me as the movie progressed was the clarity of purpose that Gangubai seemed to have. She wanted to help as many girls and women in the "red-light" districts of Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) as possible. And everything she did revolved around this end.?

1. She had the courage to approach a local don and seek his support.
2. She had the intellect to understand the role that politicians played in the scheme of things, and how to use it to her advantage.
3. She knew when to be tough, when to be soft, when to give in, and when to take a stand.
4. She won a local election – not because she wanted to become a politician – but because she realised that it would indeed help her achieve her goal.

I am a certified coach and have worked with many executives. What worries me is the struggle on many of their faces when articulating their purpose, and why they are in the role that they are currently playing. They do not seem to have moved beyond the “deficiency needs” as per Maslov’s hierarchy. At least in their thinking.

?Typical answers I receive are:

1. The job pays well
2. I enjoy doing what I am doing
3. The organisation has a great brand
4. The manager is good
5. I can learn here

It seems to revolve around themselves.

Very rarely are people able to articulate their purpose in terms of the “Growth Needs” of the Maslov’s model. One cannot truly achieve Self-actualisation, if the mind is still concerned with the WIIFM.

Gangubai didn’t take on a leadership position because it gave her power, money, respect, or freedom. She did that, because to her, it was the vehicle through which she could empower the girls and women around her.

A great purpose statement talks about the number of lives one touches and in what way one touches those lives. Everything else is a vehicle to doing that. The “how” of it.

As Aunt May of Spiderman fame said, “With great power comes great responsibility”. It makes no sense to become a senior leader in the organisation if your only passion is to meet the monthly targets, get a bigger bonus, and strive for the next promotion. To me, these are means to an end. Senior leaders ought to have crossed the “Food, Clothing, and Shelter” needs in their lives.

To me, it behooves that you use the position, power, and wealth you have, to live a greater life. Clarity of purpose, and a belief that you can indeed make a difference is all that it takes to create magic. Gangubai didn't strive to change the face of the Earth. She only wanted to change the face of her locality. She believed in herself, and achieved it.

Personally, I find that leading a “purpose” driven life (however small be that purpose) is far more satisfying that leading a “career” driven life.

I am in no way suggesting, that you start a charity, or work for an NGO (though both are amazing ways of living a purpose). I am merely saying that perhaps we owe it to society to do far more than only eking out a living. Merely because, we can.

Ask yourself, if you can articulate this Purpose. And then ask yourself what you plan to do to achieve it.

Einstein sums up my thoughts succinctly. “… a hundred times every day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labour of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself to give in the same measure as I have received, and am receiving …”.

And oh, the movie is more than worth a watch too ...

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