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Rethinking ManagementThrough Bhagavad Gita
Indian Philosophical Congress 2011Chidambaram
Presented byK.Gopalakrishnan, PhD
V.Vijayalakshmi, PhD
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Structure Lessons and Inspiration for Organizations
Jnana, Bhakti, and Karma are required for sustenance with the firsttwo supporting Karma
Treading the dharmic path in Market Kurukshetra
Alignment of individuals to organization
Corporate Governance, Need for Mentor
Respect to all 4 types of human effort
Learning Organization (last sloka)
Lessons and Inspiration for Individuals
Choosing and Performing the action (Nishkamya Karma, Svadharma)
Essential Qualities (worker, leader/mentor, knowledge sharing)
Self-Awareness (larger window of perception, intrinsic motivation,
inward-focus, managing dualities)
Knowledge Sharing
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Lessons and Inspiration for
Organizations
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The Three Yogas of Sustenance
4
Karma Yoga (Action)
Jnana Yoga
(Knowledge/Skill/Hard Skills)
Bhakthi Yoga
(Commitment/Devotion /
Soft Skills)
Iccha sakthi (mental), Jnana sakthi
(intellectual), kriya sakthi (physical)
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LessonYoga and Alignment
Arjunas woes arise from the fact that he is not yoked to Krishna (the
Paramatma). When the Jivatma is not in union with the Paramatma, there will be
uncertainty and struggle. When individual goals and aspirations are not in
alignment with the organization, then there is chaos and discordance. When
there is union, there is unity in purpose and action leading to accomplishment,
progress and peace. Organizations should strive to make all employees part of its
self.. The supreme self shines in all beings 5
One endowed with spiritual intelligence can get rid of both positive and negative reactions in
this very life; therefore be diligent in the science of uniting the Individual Consciousness with
the Ultimate Consciousness in pure loving devotion, rendering unadulterated service is
superlative genius
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InspirationCorporate Governance
An organizations reputation can be spoiled by the misdeeds of
a few. So, it needs to put proper Corporate Governance in
place.6
Such heinous deeds by all those destroyers of the family gives rise to
a population of undesirable progency completely eradicating the
time honored spiritual traditions of the family and nobility of the
lineage (1: 42)
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Lesson for the LeaderHandling Dualities
The crucial difference between a person, who can lead a
contended (and even a successful) life and others is the ability to
handle this world of dualities. It is important to develop and
nurture a capability to overcome the world of dualities
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Leadership
Leading theWay
For whatever a great man does, others
imitate. People conform to the standard
which he has set(3:21)
Initiator,
Proactiveness
No man can attain freedom from
activity by refraining from action; nor can
he reach perfection by merely refusing to
act(3:4)
Servant
Leadership
All creatures are the product of food,food is the product of rain, rain comes by
sacrifice, and sacrifice is the noblest form
ofaction(3:14).8
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Performance Management
An alternate form of measuring progress
Progress is a matter of increasing the inner peace and not
the agitations of the mind. Fixing goals pertaining to the
outside world of material objects always runs the risk of
failures arising out of not attaining them. On the other
hand, setting goals pertaining to the inner self does not
have these risks. He encourages us to get inspired by the
greatness of the ocean.9
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Just as a person discards an old and a torn shirt and wears a new one, the soul
(Atma) also discards an old body and acquires a new one.
The Path of Eternity
Interpretation 1: In order to be successful and sustainable organizations need to
continuously engage themselves in discarding old ideas (mind set!) & embrace
new ones. This is the fundamental building block of innovation and creating
competitive advantage.
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InspirationDharma as a Way of Life
Interpretation 2: CEOs and employees will come and go, but the organization
remains. Hence, it should care about long-term sustainability. Taking a long-term
wholistic view rather than a short-term reductionist view. Succession planning
and knowledge transfer to ensure continuity of organizational existence.
Interpretation 3: Just as an individual has a body and soul, an organization alsohas a body and a soul. Just as an individual soul can attain immortality or heaven
or moksha by treading the path of dharma, an organization can also last till
eternity if it is Dharmic in its principles. The Market is the Kurukshetra for the
organization. But, it has to wage the war in Dharmic way. For organizations, theMarket or the Economy is the Kurukshetra. It has to perform and compete in a
dharmic way to ensure long-term success. Organizational Ethics becomes a
significant factor here.
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Respect for Individuals
4 types of human effort: Just as a Society requires 4 types of
human effort, Organization also requires 4 types Intellectuals
(Management/Planning, Analysts, R&D), Warriors
(Marketing/Sales), Trade and Finance, Sudras (Production,
Support)
12
??
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While we take care of the Devas (through the basic act of
Yagna), Devas in turn take care of us.
Employee Wellbeing/Engagement
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Organizations need to take care of its Employees and vice versa.
Only then their mutual existence is guaranteed in the long term.
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Becoming a Learning Organization
Wherever there is Krishna, the lord of Yoga and Arjuna, the archer, I
think, there will surely be fortune, victory, welfare and morality.
Organizations having workers like Arjuna and Mentors/Leaders like
Krisha are sure to be Learning Organizations and will have
sustainable success. (18: 78)
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Lessons and Inspiration for
Individuals
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The Self
Self-
Awareness
The wise see that there is action in the midst of inaction
and inaction in the midst of action. Their consciousness is
unified, and every act is done with complete awareness(4:
18)
Self-
Confidence
The wise, ever satisfied, have abandoned all external
supports. Their security is unaffected by the results if their
action; even while acting, they really do nothing at all (4:20)
Emotional
Stability
The wise man who has conquered his mind and is
absorbed in the Self is a lamp which does not flicker, since it
stands sheltered from everywill (6:19).
Mind ControlForone who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best
of friends, but for one who has failed to control their mind,
the mind will be the greatestenemy(6:6)
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Karma Yoga and Business
Concept Management Insights
Self-Doubt Paralysis of Analysis
Selfless ActionLearning Organization
Corporate Social Responsibility
Wisdom in
ActionMentoring and Coaching
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Lesson Sources of Confusion
Arjuna has not fully understood himself. He is not clear of his purpose in life. His
thoughts and actions are influenced by external locus of control, by external
morality and society. In organizations, employees are stressed by peer pressure,
perceived competition, performance metrics, etc. They lack self-awareness. 18
Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly
weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me.
Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me. (2:7)
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InspirationKnowledge Sharing
Giving, without thought of return, at a proper time, in proper
circumstances, and to a worthy person, is Sattvic giving.
Giving with regrets or in expectation of receiving some favor or
of getting something in return is Rajasic.
Giving at an inappropriate time, in inappropriate circumstances,
to an unworthy person, without affection or respect, is Tamasic
(17: 20-22)
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Let us take inspiration from the Gita and engage in Sattvic
Knowledge Sharing at our work and in our personal lives.
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Idea1Nishkamya Karma: Desireless action, detached work -> will do the duty with
own rhythm and purpose.
Cause and Effect: You are in control of only your actions.
Cause for Arjunas despondency: Outward-focus, locus of control
Blame game: Ch6: 5th sloka, intrinsic motivation
Why are employees mostly not Satisfied with their job? Because, their focus
is not on doing the job, but on the incentives and
Transcending from Dualistic view of life to Wholistic view
Mentoring is important; Just as Guru is important for Spiritual progress
Niche competencies (Svadharma): Ch3, 35. Talent Management
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Idea4
Train only the deserving right knowledge to the right person
Chapter 18--- Gita to be shared only with the deserving
Training department or Mentors should not waste energies on
undeserving candidates.
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InspirationThe Ideal Leader/Mentor
Gita talks about the ideal and required qualities of a Leader.
Desirable characteristics: Courage, courtesy, nobility, straight dealing
Undesirable: Faint heartedness, Unmanliness
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A good leader is one who is incapable of hatred towards any human
being, who is kind and compassionate, free from selfishness,without pride, equable in pleasure and in pain, and is forgiving
(12:13).
Harmlessness, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, freedom from hate and
vanity; these are his who possesses the Godly qualities. Hypocrisy,
pride, insolence, cruelty, ignorance belong to him who is born of the
godless qualities (16:2).
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InspirationThe Ideal Worker
Nishkamya Karma Action without attachments/focus on
results. The mental energies are focused on the work done at
this moment than on the results/outcomes that will happen ata later point in time.
Svadharma: Understand your true self and choose
actions/job/tasks that would suit you. Dont do things that
wont suit your nature.23
Perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not
working. One cannot even maintain ones physical body without
work(3:8)
Perfection is attained when each attends diligently to his duty
(18:45).
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Jnana Yoga and Business
Concept Management Insights
Devotion Morale, Cohesiveness, Stick to the Knitting
Divine Qualities Detachment, Learning Organization
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Bhakti Yoga and Business
Concept Management Insights
Divine and
Demonic NaturesCode of Ethics, Standard Operating Procedures
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Thank you!
Your Thoughts?
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