Illuminating Paths: Leadership Lessons from the Diya on Diwali

As the festival of Deepawali—more commonly known as Diwali—illuminates homes and hearts across the world on October 20, 2025, the air fills with the scent of sweets, the crackle of fireworks, and the warm glow of countless diyas. These small clay lamps, fueled by a simple wick and oil, are the unsung heroes of the celebration. Symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil, the diya isn’t just a ritualistic flame—it’s a profound metaphor for leadership. In a world where leaders grapple with uncertainty, division, and burnout, the humble diya offers timeless wisdom. On this auspicious night of new beginnings, let’s draw five enduring leadership lessons from the diya, reminding us that true guidance emerges not from grand gestures, but from quiet, steadfast luminosity.

1. Burn Brightly, But Burn for Others: The Art of Selfless Service

At the heart of every diya is a paradox: it consumes itself to illuminate the world. The wick chars away, the oil depletes drop by drop, yet the flame never wavers in its purpose—to light the path for others. This selflessness mirrors the essence of servant leadership, a philosophy championed by thinkers like Robert Greenleaf, where the leader’s primary goal is the growth and well-being of their people.

In corporate boardrooms or community initiatives, leaders often face the temptation to hoard resources—be it time, credit, or energy—for personal gain. But the diya teaches us otherwise. Consider Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, who famously prioritized employee wellness and sustainability over short-term profits, even at the cost of her own spotlight. Her “performance with purpose” ethos lit up not just her company’s balance sheet but the lives of millions. On Diwali, as we light diyas to honor Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, we remember that true wealth flows from giving. Leaders must ask: Am I fueling my ego or the dreams of those around me? The diya’s flame answers: Burn for the collective good, and your light will endure.

2. Stand Firm Amid the Storm: Resilience in Adversity

Diwali’s outdoor rangolis and balcony displays are no gentle breeze; the evening winds of autumn can snuff out a flame in an instant. Yet, the resilient diya, often shielded by a hand or placed in a nook, flickers back to life, refusing to yield. This tenacity is a masterclass in adaptive resilience—a quality that separates enduring leaders from fleeting ones.

History is replete with leaders who embodied this: Mahatma Gandhi, whose non-violent resistance withstood the gales of colonial oppression, or Malala Yousafzai, whose advocacy for education burned brighter after surviving an assassination attempt. In today’s volatile business landscape, where economic shifts and AI disruptions rage like monsoon winds, leaders must cultivate this diya-like steadiness. It’s not about invincibility but about quick recovery—reigniting the wick after every gust. As we place diyas on window sills this Diwali, facing the unknown night, let them remind us: Adversity tests the flame, but it forges the fire. Build your inner reserves through mindfulness, diverse networks, and a clear vision, and you’ll not just survive storms—you’ll guide others through them.

3. A Single Spark Ignites Many: The Power of Inspiration

One diya can light another without diminishing its own glow. This simple act—passing the flame from lamp to lamp—is Diwali’s ritual of multiplication, transforming a solitary light into a symphony of illumination. For leaders, it’s a lesson in the exponential impact of inspiration: Your energy isn’t a finite resource but a contagious force that amplifies when shared.

Think of Elon Musk, whose audacious vision for SpaceX didn’t just launch rockets but ignited a new era of private space exploration, inspiring engineers, entrepreneurs, and even nations. Or closer to home, the countless social entrepreneurs in India who, like diyas in a row, spark community-driven change—from waste management startups in Mumbai slums to women’s cooperatives in rural Rajasthan. In team settings, this translates to mentoring: A leader’s enthusiasm for a project can kindle passion in a junior colleague, who then inspires their peers. This Diwali, as families gather to light rows of diyas, celebrate the chain reaction. Leaders, foster environments where ideas spread like wildfire—through storytelling, recognition, and empowerment. One spark, shared generously, can banish the darkest nights.

4. Harmony in Multiplicity: The Strength of Collective Glow

No Diwali tableau is complete without clusters of diyas—arranged in intricate patterns that create a collective radiance far greater than any single flame could achieve. Alone, a diya casts a modest circle of light; together, they transform a courtyard into a beacon. This synergy underscores a core leadership truth: Unity amplifies impact, while isolation dims it.

In an era of hybrid work and global teams, leaders must orchestrate this harmony. Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, exemplified this during the COVID-19 crisis, uniting a nation through empathetic, inclusive communication that turned individual fears into shared resolve. Similarly, in business, diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, as studies from McKinsey affirm. The diya cluster teaches us to value differences: The clay diya beside the ornate brass one, the steady flame next to the dancing one—each contributes uniquely to the whole. On this festival of reunion, as we welcome Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya with lights galore, leaders should reflect: Am I building bridges or walls? Cultivate psychological safety, celebrate varied strengths, and watch your organization’s glow outshine the stars.

5. Piercing the Veil: Guiding Through Uncertainty

Diwali’s narrative is one of exile and return—Lord Ram’s journey through 14 years of darkness, culminating in the lights of victory. The diya, placed at thresholds, doesn’t just decorate; it pierces the enveloping night, signaling hope and direction. For leaders navigating ambiguity—be it market crashes, ethical dilemmas, or personal doubts—this is the ultimate lesson: Be the light that clarifies the path forward.

In leadership literature, Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” echoes this, urging leaders to provide a north star amid chaos. Real-world examples abound: During India’s 1991 economic liberalization, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and Finance Minister Manmohan Singh lit the way through liberalization’s shadows, ushering in decades of growth. Today, as geopolitical tensions and climate crises loom, leaders must embody this clarity—through transparent decision-making, ethical foresight, and visionary storytelling. The diya’s soft yet insistent glow reminds us: Darkness isn’t the absence of light but the opportunity for it. This Diwali, as we dispel shadows with flames, commit to being that guiding light—steady, purposeful, and unyielding.

A Festival Flame for Tomorrow’s Leaders

As the last diya of Deepawali 2025 flickers into embers, its lessons linger like the faint scent of sesame oil. In a world craving direction, the diya whispers that leadership isn’t about towering infernos but humble, persistent flames—selfless, resilient, inspiring, unifying, and clarifying. Whether you’re a CEO charting corporate destiny, a teacher shaping young minds, or a parent nurturing a family, let this festival infuse your approach with its spirit.

This Diwali, light not just lamps, but lives. May your leadership, like the diya, turn ordinary moments into extraordinary illuminations, banishing darkness one flame at a time. Shubh Deepawali—may prosperity and wisdom light your way.