Chanakya Strategy Coach
Failure Analysis
Day 5
The Three Sources of Failure
Chanakya ranked these three faults. Not knowing enough is the least serious — you can fix it by learning. Fear is more dangerous — it is a weakness in character that gets worse under pressure. Worst of all is letting your own wants override your duty. No one else can fix that for you; you have to see it in yourself. This third fault is the most common reason organizations fall apart.
Reflection
Which of the three defects — ignorance, timidity, or competing self-interest — is most likely to derail you in your current work?
Today's Practice
Name one situation where your personal interest is in potential conflict with your duty. Write down what the right action would be if there were no personal cost.
Arthashastra 1.8