Friends, recently I read a book titled “WAFADARI IMAANDARI ZIMMEDARI”, the book is authored by Lt Gen KJS ‘Tiny’ Dhillon (retd). His most prestigious assignment came when he commanded the Srinagar-based 15 Corps in Kashmir, at the time of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019. Subsequently, he retired as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, under the Chief of Defence Staff. His debut book, “ KITNE GHAZI AAYE,KITNE GHAZI GAYE” was published in 2023, in which he has described his life and times with the Indian Army, including his role in Kashmir during the abrogation of Articles 370 and 350A. His latest “OPERATION SINDOOR” has been published during the 1st week of September 2025, which I am presently reading.
In today’s blog, I am reproducing an excerpt from his book “Wafadari Imaandari Zimmedari”, where he has given few words of counsel for young and impressionable minds based on his experience of leading teams during his armed force life for nearly four decades.
- Success doesn’t have option of ‘free home delivery’
- Your life, you decide, but expert advice helps.
- Focus on efforts and processes, the result will happen automatically.
- Treat failure like lessons and use them as occasions for planning better to achieve success the next time.
- Dare to Aim. Set aims, war-game your option before taking a leap.
- Plan your strategies and options but go along with the situations as they unfold.
- Life is never going to be an easy game. Play hard.
- Never hesitate to venture into new ideas, but maintain sharp focus on achieving your aims. Small start-up initiatives only go on become unicorns.
- Maintain your unique character and individuality, but be flexible enough to blend with your team without compromising on your core values.
- Competence and hard work will inevitably bring success, but success also leads to jealousy and ill-will. Stay away from such negative people. Remember the saying: “You can’t change the people around you but you can the change the people around you.”
- Those who are in position to help also retain the ability to hurt. So, always keep your guard up.
- There will be times when it is absolutely fine to seek help. Asking for help isn’t giving up; it is refusing to give up.
- Hard work needs regular practice.
- Pamper and indulge yourself once in a while, as you are the most important person in your life. Even airline crew tell you ‘first wear your own face mask before helping others’. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy.
- Life gives everyone at least one chance to attain greatness. Grab the chance. Take bold decisions in the face of adversity.
- Never be afraid of people’s opinions. History in any case will judge.
- Respect heroes. Always remember the Unknown soldier who laid down their life in the line of duty unacknowledged. Not every hero finds a mention in the honour roll.
- Human efficiency does improve with age; though paradoxically, leaders may also become more rigid and less flexible to change as they grow older.
- Delegation is not dilution of authority, it is dispersal of decision-making at different levels, allowing more time for strategic thinking at higher levels.
- At the end of the day, you may not be half as bad as people will make you out to be. So, bash on regardless.
- Subtle humour can liven up any war or boardroom, chiefly when it comes from the leader.
- When it is an un-defendable straight punch, take it on the chin.
- Work for your organization as if you own that organization.
- A soldier desires peace but remains prepared for war; count your blessings but never forget to pray.
- Nation First Always. For a soldier, the tricolor is not just a flag, but a symbol of sacrifice, courage and unwavering duty toward the nation. A soldier of the Indian Army follows only one religion-service to the motherland.
- Awe factor: A leader must recognize and celebrate other people’s success. This entails following a simple ‘A’ model
–Accept, even by a small nod of the head, that work of your team members or other has been noticed.
–Acknowledge their efforts and skills.
–Admire the positive difference their presence is making to the organization.
–Appreciate others for making you a better person, professionally and socially.
–AWE. Finally, turn ‘A’ (a single individual) into ‘We’ (a collective term).
Enact your role with passion and intensity while you are around, for ultimately, like everyone else, you too will become a story to be told. At the end of the day, yours must be a well-lived life.
In the end, what an advice list from the man of armed force background which is even true for general public.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
15th September 2025