Leadership Lessons from MS Dhoni: Applying Cricketing Wisdom to the Professional World

If you’ve been following cricket, especially Indian cricket, for the past 12–15 years, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is certainly a name you’re familiar with. A veteran of numerous international matches, he’s scored over 20,000 runs across formats and has made more than 1,000 dismissals behind the stumps. But what truly sets him apart is his unique achievement as the only captain in the history of international cricket to have won all the major ICC trophies, a Test mace and add to that 5 IPL titles, 2 Asia Cups, and countless other honours.

However, cricket is a team sport, and no single player can claim all the credit for those victories. So, was it just a stroke of luck, or did Dhoni possess qualities that made him such an extraordinary leader? His unparalleled success and the widespread respect he commands in the cricketing world, not only in India but around the globe, suggest there’s something special about him as a captain.

As a huge MSD fan myself, I was reflecting one day on how many of his leadership qualities can be applied not just to cricket, but also to the professional world we navigate as consultants. Drawing from MSD’s career, I believe there are several key traits every leader should possess to build strong, effective teams.

Let’s dive into each of these leadership traits and see how they can be applied to our professional lives.

Lead from the front

Who can forget MSD’s iconic innings in the 2011 World Cup final? Whoever made the decision to promote him to number 4, he took the responsibility upon himself and ensured he stayed at the crease until the team crossed the finish line. While this is just one example, it’s undoubtedly one of the most memorable.

The lesson here is clear: be the leader your team looks to when they need you most. Just like MSD, your team relies on you to guide them through challenges and lead them to success. In consultancy world, it’s about delivering projects with the right practices within the given timeline. I say “right” practices because what’s ideal may not be the same in every scenario. If, as a leader, you’re not committed to learning, driving high-quality results, writing the right set of quality norms, and maintaining standards, how can you expect your team to stay motivated and follow suit?

Leadership isn’t just about giving instructions; it’s about setting an example through your work ethic, communication, and adaptability. Leading from the front means showing resilience, facing challenges head-on, and being actively involved with the team. So, step up, be the face of leadership, and always lead from the front, especially when your team depends on you the most.

Know you team well

Kedar Jadhav, who had barely bowled in first-class cricket, ended up taking 27 wickets in ODIs under Dhoni’s captaincy. Similarly, Rohit Sharma, who rarely opened the batting in domestic cricket and early in his international career, began opening in ODIs under Dhoni’s leadership. These are just two examples, but I’m sure there are many more, both in international cricket and IPL, that reflect Dhoni’s ability to unlock the potential of his players.

As a leader, it’s essential to understand your team — their strengths, capabilities, and aspirations. Setting clear expectations is key to aligning individual goals with team objectives.When you can leverage their abilities to help them achieve their goals, they can work wonders for the team. You need to know who’s best suited for certain tasks, get their agreement to take on the responsibility, and ensure that information is shared effectively with the rest of the team to prevent knowledge silos. Building trust within the team is crucial to creating a successful and cohesive group.

“Unless you know the individual, it’s very difficult to advise that individual as to what he needs to do.” — MS Dhoni

Delegation is the Key

A captain cannot be everything — the best batsman, bowler, fielder, and wicketkeeper all at once. If that were the case, you wouldn’t be in a team sport. A true leader is someone who recognizes the potential of their players — something that ties back to our earlier point — and assigns responsibilities accordingly.

A team leader already has a lot on their plate, including planning, analysis, architecture, and more. Often, this can become an overwhelming responsibility. That’s why it’s important to know your team well and delegate tasks to unlock their full potential. Delegation not only helps manage the workload but also empowers team members, giving them a sense of ownership and confidence in their abilities. In my opinion, a team leader should avoid taking on the most significant tasks, as other leadership duties can impact the team’s ability to deliver and block further progress. Instead, a team leader should focus on picking smaller tasks that help unblock team members and make themselves available to assist with any challenges that arise. Effective delegation also fosters trust within the team, as team members feel valued and motivated to contribute to the team’s success.

I was listening to one of MSD’s interviews where he was asked why he didn’t promote himself to bat higher up in the order during the last IPL, especially when the audience was clearly eager to see him bat. His response was one of the best I’ve heard: “If I had come up to bat, how would others get more opportunities to grow? There were players working so hard to earn a spot in the T20 World Cup team. I’m a retired player, I can’t be selected, but they need enough chances to prove themselves.” This kind of selflessness and focus on the team’s growth is the mentality that makes a great leader.

Be Proactive than Reactive

This is one of my favourites. I’ve seen multiple interviews where players who have played alongside MSD mention that he always had multiple plans. If one plan wasn’t working out, there was always a Plan B ready to go. Who can forget the Bowl-out triumph in the 2007 T20 World Cup, where the Indian team had specifically prepared for bowl-outs during their practice sessions?

As a leader, it’s important to think proactively about future possibilities rather than just reacting to what stakeholders mention. For example, can you be proactive in planning a new feature, determining its delivery timelines, and identifying the risks along with a plan to mitigate them? By doing this, you’re always thinking one step ahead, which can help build trust with client stakeholders and show them that you’re prepared for any challenges that may arise. Proactively managing risks also allows you to create a more stable environment for your team, ensuring they have the support they need. When you anticipate obstacles and communicate well, you inspire confidence both within your team and with your stakeholders. This approach not only leads to smoother project delivery but also strengthens your leadership credibility.

Be the jack of all trades but master of at least one

In addition to MSD’s impressive stats as a batsman and wicketkeeper, he has also taken a wicket in international cricket. Bowlers often seek his advice because wicketkeepers are in close proximity to the batsmen, giving them a unique understanding of their intentions. And as a cricket fan, who hasn’t heard of the Dhoni Review System (DRS)? There’s even a funny anecdote that umpires often look to Dhoni before making a decision.

What I’m trying to convey here is that a team lead doesn’t need to be the best at every technology or process. However, if you know your team well, it becomes much easier to delegate tasks to the right people. This doesn’t mean you should be unfamiliar with the subject matter; it’s important to have a broad understanding of various technologies if you’re a team lead. The key is not to be a master in everything, but to have deep expertise in at least one area while being well-versed in others to guide your team effectively. Additionally, fostering trust and open communication within the team allows you to leverage each member’s strengths, empowering them to take ownership of their areas of expertise. It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels confident in their roles, knowing they have the leader’s support when needed, and trusting that you can make informed decisions even if you’re not an expert in every single aspect.

Be the decision maker/Tie Breaker

If you’ve never watched MSDs world cup winning speech, you definitely should, especially if you’re a cricket fan. In that speech, he told about picking up certain players in the playing eleven. Advising bowlers to avoid bowling a particular delivery (Sorry for linking a non english video) when they were struggling to execute them correctly is a part of captaincy. This is a great example of leadership in action, where knowing when to step in and make the right call is crucial.

As a leader, you need to know when to use your veto power, particularly when the team is unable to reach a conclusion during a discussion. It’s important to be the decision-maker, but also to listen to everyone with empathy and avoid forcing a decision. While the final call rests with you, the team is looking up to you for clarity and the rationale behind the decisions being made. Providing enough context and transparency in your decisions helps build trust and ensures everyone is aligned, even when tough choices need to be made.

Additionally, it’s important to encourage collaboration within the team, ensuring that all voices are heard before making a decision. This not only leads to better decision-making but also helps in building a culture of trust where team members feel empowered to share their ideas. A good leader knows how to manage conflicting opinions in a constructive way, ensuring that while diverse perspectives are respected, the final decision is in the best interest of the team. This balance of inclusivity and decisive action allows the team to move forward with confidence, knowing that they are supported by a leader who has their best interests at heart.

Prepare your Successors

Virat Kohli has often mentioned how smooth the transition of India captaincy from MS Dhoni to him was. Similarly, Rohit Sharma began captaining Mumbai Indians while still playing under MSD’s leadership in Indian cricket team.

For me, this is one of the most important aspects of leadership when it comes to personal growth. A team lead, too, may want to move on from their current engagement or explore new roles after some time. However, if the entire project becomes heavily reliant on the lead, it makes it difficult for both the stakeholders and the team to adjust to a change. As a leader, it’s crucial to avoid creating dependencies on yourself. Instead, focus on identifying and nurturing potential successors to take over when the time comes. Otherwise, you risk getting stuck in the same role, limiting your growth opportunities. Leadership skills like “knowing your team well” and “delegation” are essential for preparing your successors, ensuring a smooth transition, and setting up the team for continued success.

Easy onboarding for New comers and smooth transition for the seniors.

Sourav Ganguly was given the opportunity to captain Team India during some of his final moments as an international cricketer by MS Dhoni. Similarly, Sachin Tendulkar received one of the most memorable farewells under MSD’s captaincy. And how many times have we seen MSD standing on the sidelines, handing over the winning trophy to the younger players?

It’s not necessary for a team leader to be the senior-most person in the team. Leadership is both an art and a significant responsibility, and it’s not a role everyone desires. As a leader, you should always respect your seniors and remain open to their perspectives. They bring valuable insights on topics that you might not have explored yet. At the same time, it’s equally important to provide ample opportunities for junior team members, giving them the confidence to excel. As the title suggests, one of your key roles as a leader is to create a seamless onboarding process for new team members, so they can become productive as quickly as possible. Additionally, by avoiding knowledge silos and dependencies within the team, you ensure a smooth transition when senior members step down or move on, ensuring continuity and success for the team.

“Listen to your elder’s advice not because they are always right, but because they have more experience of being wrong.”

Be a Mentor

Due to MSD’s popularity, the media often highlights his invaluable conversations with younger players. Many players have also mentioned several times how great it is to play for CSK under Dhoni’s captaincy.

More than anything else, mentorship is about sharing your experiences with others. Teams often benefit from hearing how other teams have tackled similar situations, whether technical or non-technical. I believe it’s a leader’s utmost priority to cultivate not only their own team but also others. If you’ve discovered something new that can contribute to your team’s success, it’s important to share it. Create an environment where team members feel confident enough to share their knowledge, no matter how novice it may seem. Pass on your legacy of growth and development to help the organization flourish. Remember, leadership is about nurturing others to reach their full potential and ensuring the long-term success of the team and organisation.

Know when to let go

MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket in the middle of the series against Australia. He didn’t wait for the last match and handed over the captaincy to Virat Kohli, as he felt that he wouldn’t add enough value in the final match.

Similarly, in consultancy, it’s important to know when to let things go. As a team leader, we often want to incorporate the best possible practises into a project, but sometimes the client may not need them at that moment. Building trust with the client in the early stages of the project is far more important than pushing for all the latest buzzwords, especially when the client is more focused on timely delivery than on adding every possible practise. Recognising when to stop fighting unnecessary battles is crucial. However, it’s equally important to understand the non-negotiable aspects for the company you work for, and know how to guide and consult stakeholders on these essentials. Balancing flexibility with the company’s core values is key to effective leadership.

Remain Calm under Pressure — Keep your emotions in check

Even after being a highly successful captain across all formats, MS Dhoni’s winning percentage across formats is just 53%. This means that, at times, things didn’t go his way, yet he is still known as “Captain Cool.”

As a leader, there will be many times when things don’t go as expected, whether with your team or stakeholders. In such moments, it’s crucial to be mindful of your words to avoid damaging the hard-earned trust you’ve built. This also ties into the idea of letting go of things when you’ve done your best to convince stakeholders but still haven’t been able to sway them after multiple consultations.

In my opinion, this is one of the most difficult aspects of leadership because it depends on an individual’s personality and can be especially challenging to navigate. It requires emotional intelligence to maintain composure and make the right decisions when the situation doesn’t align with your expectations.

Know your stakeholders well

In the 2010 IPL final, CSK captain MS Dhoni made a smart move by positioning a straight long-off and a straight mid-off to counter Pollard’s tendency to hit straight boundaries. Ironically, Pollard was dismissed at long-off in the very same match.

Just as knowing your own team is crucial, understanding your client stakeholders is equally important. You need to grasp their strengths, and more importantly, what they do and don’t know. I recently encountered an instance where I was using agile terminology in a meeting, only to later realize that the stakeholders didn’t understand those terms at all. This highlights the importance of stakeholder mapping — understanding their background and adjusting communication accordingly is a key aspect of effective leadership.

MS Dhoni’s leadership, both on and off the cricket field, offers a treasure trove of lessons for leaders across all industries. His ability to lead from the front, delegate effectively, remain calm under pressure, and nurture future leaders is what sets him apart. Whether it’s understanding your team’s strengths, knowing when to make tough decisions, or empowering your colleagues to grow, Dhoni’s leadership principles can inspire all of us to be better at what we do.

As consultants and leaders in any field, we can draw on Dhoni’s example to create a positive, efficient, and resilient team environment. By embracing the qualities of mentorship, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and trust-building, we can lead with confidence, drive success, and ensure long-term growth for our teams and organisations.

Ultimately, leadership is not just about giving instructions — it’s about guiding, growing, and inspiring others to reach their full potential. Just as MS Dhoni has done for countless players, we too can shape and lead teams that thrive, no matter the challenges ahead.