Mahabharata is not simply the story of a fratricidal war; it reveals the secrets of transformational leadership that goes beyond a mere text-book preaching of ethical practices to preaching seemingly unethical practices for the greater common good of humanity. After all, the moral dilemma that Arjuna faced in the battle field and Krishna’s solution thereof matches surprisingly well with the down-to-earth needs of companies trying to survive in an increasingly global, interconnected business ecosystem.
Krishna driving Arjuna’s Chariot; Image via Wikipedia
Conventional morality vs higher morality
Transformational leaders deal with issues from a higher moral plane. In Mahabharata, Bheeshma is governed by conventional morality, which is tainted with self image and egoism, and he doesn’t care for dharma when the two values clash. In contrast, Krishna looks beyond his image, beyond the ethical dilemma which face him often and strives to establish dharma. For a thorough discussion on this, read this excellent article: Krishna: A Study in Transformational Leadership
The reservoir of Western management thoughts and practices now carry a lesson or two from Indian philosophy to find solutions to recurring problems. The CEOs are fast embracing the apparently ethereal view that leaders should be selfless, take initiative, focus on their duty rather than obsessing over outcomes or financial gain and master any emotions that cloud sound judgment.
The Enrons of the past, the more recent TJX security breach and the mortgage scandals, and the moral rectitude of United States’ involvement in Iraq and South American countries have shaken the collective conscience of the world like no other. Business managers now question the absence of ethical decision-making in matters of commerce. Serious and accomplished religious thinkers, philosophers, public policy specialists, and business people started to explore the ways in which commerce can be part of — even central to — a meaningful, inspired life in a just, flourishing social order.
Contemporary marketing theory is that companies should not be motivated by profit alone and should adopt a holistic approach that takes into account the needs of shareholders, employees, customers, society, and the environment and build a symbiotic relationship with all the stakeholders. This is an entirely different theory of management–one that would replace shareholder capitalism with stakeholder capitalism, which while benefiting the shareholders requires the business leaders to focus on their duty and place employees and customers first – a trend that a Business Week article calls “Karma Capitalism”.
If this lofty dream can be achieved, India’s biggest impact on the global economy may be on the way executives think.
“Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu” – may the entire world prosper.
You’ve shared with us something uncommon here. I haven’t heard of this before. This seems to be a good philosphy to carry the business forward. Have my liked it.
Such transformational leaders are rare indeed. They are so rare that most societies only produce a handful every generation.
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Such might occur In your country but only wishful thinking in U.S. I’m still reading “Krishna.” That lady can write. I would love to hear her seminars.
This is an excellent philosophy. And If this lofty dream can be achieved, It would be wonderful. But I’m afraid we may have to wait for the thousand year paradisiac reign of Jesus Christ to see this one. Thanks for such a morally uplifting post Uma.
Monica.
Thank you. This is surely enlightening. Karma Capitalism seems to be an interesting seems to be an interesting business paradigm.
Thank you. This is surely enlightening. Karma Capitalism seems to be an interesting business paradigm.
i disagree
Very Deep…
Quite interesting!
Excellent article
Indian Vedic contribution is a reservoir of Vibrant Information and Harmonious Creativity. May the Womb of Nature Embrace all with Tranquil Blessings from this day forward. Let this attract one’s attention affecting them Positively. It is a Sanctuary of the Self , a Creative Venue which serves as an Enduring Expression of Lightness, where a peaceful Atmosphere with Sunlight Flows and serene atmosphere prevail.
In the storm of life we struggle through myriads of stimuli of pressure, stress, and muti-problems that seek for a solution and answer. We are so suppressed by the routine of this every life style that most of us seem helpless. However, if we look closely to ancient techniques we shall discover the magnificent way to understand and realize the ones around us and mostly ourselves. If only we could stop for a moment and allow this to happen. May all beings be happy (Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu)
The ancient Hindu philosophy of keepiing mind and body for the well being, has entered the managerial, medical and judicial domain of the world. Today it has found its place as an alternative to the theory of modern management and also as a means to bring back the right path of peace and prosperity for the human beings. Let me bow to Indian Maharishi Veda Vysa with folded hands who helped in removing the impurities of the mind through his writings on Vedas, impurities of speech through his writings on puranas, and impurities of body through his writings on other sacred texts.
What have to done. Well done.
great share
Hmm… this is certainly interesting. I’ve heard it said that the Bhagavad Gita teaches that it is okay for a businessman to cheat his customer if it will make him a profit, which apparently contributes to the “better good”. I don’t know if it is exactly true that the text says that. Where I’m from though, many businessmen, from farmers at the market to car salesmen, practice dishonesty on that basis, and it doesn’t make anything in the big picture but a dishonest society.
Does anyone know where exactly in the actual text such an idea might have originated? I’d like to look it up myself. Thanks.
great share – gj
This is very interesting, I want to read it.
Nice Work
enlightening post. very nice
great share…..thanks
The Bhagavad-Gita, written thousands of years ago, enlightens us on all managerial techniques leading us towards a harmonious and blissful state of affairs in place of the conflict, tensions, poor productivity, absence of motivation and so on, common in most of Indian enterprises today – and probably in enterprises in many other countries.
The modern (Western) management concepts of vision, leadership, motivation, excellence in work, achieving goals, giving work meaning, decision making and planning, are all discussed in the Bhagavad-Gita . There is one major difference. While Western management thought too often deals with problems at material, external and peripheral levels, the Bhagavad-Gita tackles the issues from the grass roots level of human thinking. Once the basic thinking of man is improved, it will automatically enhance the quality of his actions and their results.
The management philosophy emanating from the West is based on the lure of materialism and on a perennial thirst for profit, irrespective of the quality of the means adopted to achieve that goal. This phenomenon has its source in the abundant wealth of the West and so ‘management by materialism’ has caught the fancy of all the countries the world over, India being no exception to this trend. My country, India, has been in the forefront in importing these ideas mainly because of its centuries old indoctrination by colonial rulers, which has inculcated in us a feeling that anything Western is good and anything Indian, is inferior. Gita does not prohibit seeking money, power, comforts, health. It advocates active pursuit of one’s goals without getting attached to the process and the results.
The result is that, while huge funds have been invested in building temples of modem management education, no perceptible changes are visible in the improvement of the general quality of life – although the standards of living of a few has gone up. The same old struggles in almost all sectors of the economy, criminalization of institutions, social violence, exploitation and other vices are seen deep in the body politic.