Recently, I was watching an episode of Kurukshetra on Netflix that featured the story of “Karna” — and it sparked a few reflections I’d like to share which are very true in this current corporate life…·
Talent needs allies — build your network:
Karna had immense skill, but lacked strong institutional support. In today’s workplace, competence alone isn’t enough — relationships, mentors, and sponsors amplify your impact.
Lesson: Don’t just work hard; build alliances that work for you.·
Know when loyalty becomes a liability:
Karna’s unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana, though noble, tied him to a flawed cause. In corporate life, blind loyalty to individuals or teams can limit growth or compromise ethics.
Lesson: Align loyalty with principles, not personalities.·
Manage your ego — recognition will come:
Despite being overshadowed by Arjuna, Karna stayed committed to mastery.
Lesson: Focus on performance, not politics. Your credibility is your long-term currency.·
Choose integrity over immediate reward:
Karna often faced moral dilemmas — choosing righteousness could have changed his fate.
Lesson: In the corporate world, short-term wins gained by compromising values eventually cost credibility.·
Know your worth and assert it
Karna’s constant struggle for identity made him seek validation externally.
Lesson: Don’t let titles define you. Know your value and communicate it confidently.
In essence:
“In the modern corporate world, Karna’s journey reminds us that true greatness isn’t conferred by designation or visibility, but earned through competence, integrity, and resilience.Always remember, in leadership and in life, recognition may not always align with contribution — yet it’s character, not title, that sustains respect. The most enduring leaders are those who remain grounded, uphold their values, and let their work speak long after positions change.”