Gita Corporate World

Practical VedantaLessons from Lessons from SrimadSrimad BhagavadBhagavad GitaGita

for Excellence in Leadershipfor Excellence in Leadershipfor Excellence in Leadershipfor Excellence in Leadership

Professor B Mahadevan

December 19, 2011

Today’s ContextInteresting world of dualities?

• Income levels going up

• Material Progress

accelerating at great

pace

• Youngsters getting old

faster – Hypertension &

Diabetes at 30 – Psycho

counselling

• More selling – More

malls – More cars …

• More education –

educational standards

• More knowledge –

wisdom??

• Quality of Life –

Working life deteriorate

• Where are the role

models/leaders? –

What is mass media up

to?

We live in a world of duality

• Suffering of many people in modern world

– Work, work and work; earn more and more

money but remain inwardly poorer and poorer,

until one becomes a nervous wreck

B Mahadevan, IIM Bangalore

until one becomes a nervous wreck

– When men achieve security & welfare, now

that they have solved all other problems, they

become a problem themselves

(Schopenhaurer, A (1819), The World as Will

and Representation)

Modern CorporationsVery primitive form of existence

• Most large, apparently successful corporations are profoundly unhealthy

– Average life expectancy of Fortune 500 companies is 40 –50 years

– 1/3rd of companies listed in Fortune 500 in 1970 vanished by 1983


by 1983

– 40% of all newly created companies last less than 10 years

• Managers in these companies experience

– work stress, endless struggles for power & control,

– cynicism & resignation

– work environment that stifles rather than releases human imagination, energy & commitment

Source: Geus, A. (1997), The Living Company, Harvard Business School Press

Issues facing us today?

• What is the most important aspect of great

leadership?

• How do we break from the drudgery of work?

• How do we develop inner character that sees


• How do we develop inner character that sees

us in good stead at all times in our life?

Bhagavad GitaPractical Vedanta?

• Primacy of this text in this country in

vedantic traditions

• Three dimensional perspective


– Religious Angle

– Spiritual Angle

– Secular Angle

• Direct & Relevant thoughts for us

• Management consultants also have ideas to

draw from Gita !

Religious Angle or is it?

• yda yda ih xmRSy Glain-Rvit -art,A_yuTwanmxmRSy tdaTman< s&jaMyhm!. 4.7.

• pirÇa[ay saxUna< ivnazay c Ê:k«tam!,xmRs<SwapnawaRy s<-vaim yuge yuge. 4.8.


xmRs<SwapnawaRy s<-vaim yuge yuge. 4.8.

• When there is a deterioration of the Dharma and rise

of the evil forces, I incarnate and protect good

people, destroy evil forces and restore DharmaStability and long term sustainability of the system happens because there

are regenerative points in the system. When the system attains

disequilibrium and shows signs of being unstable and going out of control

corrective measures are taken to restore equilibrium in the system.

Spiritual Angle or Is it?

• vasa<is jI[aRin ywa ivhaynvain g&Ÿait nrae=prai[,

• twa zrIrai[ ivhay jI[aRinANyain s<yait nvain dehI. 2.22.


ANyain s<yait nvain dehI. 2.22.

• Just as one discards a torn old shirt and wears a new

one, the soul also discards a old (& tired) body and

shifts to a new one…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 essence of the notion of time & change

management

Relevant questions, thoughts…

• Aw ken àyuKtae=y< pap< crit pUé;>,AinCDÚip va:[eRy blaidv inyaeijt>. 3.36.

• What is happening behind all these bad things?

Although I am not interested it appears I am forcibly


Although I am not interested it appears I am forcibly

involved into this.

• maÇaSpzaRStu kaENtey zItae:[suoÊ>oda>,Aagmapaiynae=inTya> ta<iStit]Sv -art. 2.14.

• You can not runway from the world of dualities.

Learn to handle them – you will be a great leader

Arjuna’s PredicamentAre there management lessons?

• Argument 1: Happiness not guaranteed

– Svjn< ih kw< hTva suion> Syam maxv. 1.37.

– How can one be happy after killing one‘s own people?

• Argument 2: War creates bigger problem

– dae;EretE> k…l¸nana< v[Rs»rkarkE>,


– dae;EretE> k…l¸nana< v[Rs»rkarkE>,%Tsa*Nte jaitxmaR> k…lxmaRí zañta>. 1.43.

– By these misdeeds – Confusion in the society, class may happen on a

permanent basis…

• Argument 3: Impractical Idea

– kw< -I:mmh< s'œOye Ôae[< c mxusUdn,#;ui-> àityaeTSyaim pUjahaER AirsUdn. 2.4.

– How can I fight those who are worthy of worship?

Challenges of high performanceOvercoming these conflicts is essential

The Head (Leader,

CEO) confronts a

difficult situationAlthough the solution is

known, it is difficult to

implement


implement

Therefore make several arguments for

not making a change or defending the

status quo

The arguments are very

convincing at the outset

High Performing organisations need leaders who do not get stuck like this

Maintain status quo or

avoid tough decisions

Lessons from Gita Chapter 1What happens when we face crisis?

Lack of

Clarity

Lack of

Discrimination

Less questionable

about mindset


More DefensiveFaint-heartednessBad

Decisions

Relevance of GitaDeveloping character thro’ spirituality…

• What does it mean to develop character?

– Strength & Gentleness must coexist

– Great Broadmindedness develops along with

intensity of faith and conviction


intensity of faith and conviction

– Intense fearlessness and intense compassion

• A-y< vE àaPtaeis jnk> (Brihadaranya

Upanishad)

• ySmat! n %iÖjet laeka> laekat! n %iÖjet c y> (Gita chapter 12)

Relevance of GitaDeveloping character thro’ spirituality…

• Capacity to withstand non-sense in life

(withstand changes and chances in life)

• Ability to go beyond the pulls of physical/

nervous/ psychic systems


nervous/ psychic systems

• Ability to see changelessness amidst

change

Management Lesson 1

Excellence thru’ Leadership

Secret of great leadershipDeveloping a sense of equanimity

maÇaSpzaRStu kaENtey zItae:[suoÊ>oda>,Aagmapaiynae=inTya> ta<iStit]Sv -art. 2.14.

y< ih n VywyNTyete pué;< pué;;R-,


y< ih n VywyNTyete pué;< pué;;R-,smÊ>osuo< xIr< sae=m&tTvay kLpte. 2.15.

yaegSw> k…é kmaRi[ s¼< TyKTva xn<jy,isÏ(isÏ(ae> smae -UTva smTv< yaeg %Cyte. 2.48.

Equanimity A key element of leadership

suoÊ>oe sme k«Tva la-ala-aE jyajyaE,ttae yuÏay yuJySv


ttae yuÏay yuJySv nEv< papmvaPSyis. 2.38.

Activity

Outcomes

Assessment

Feelings

Different facets of equanimityChapter 14: Guna Treya Vibhaga Yoga

smÊ>osuo> SvSw> smlaeòaZmka<cn>,tuLyiàyaiàyae xIr> tuLyinNdaTms<Stuit>. 14.24.manapmanyaeStuLy> tuLyae imÇairp]yae>,


manapmanyaeStuLy> tuLyae imÇairp]yae>,svaRrM-pirTyagI gu[atIt> s %Cyte. 14.25.

Why this repeated reference to

Equanimity (smTv -av>)???• Great things are not achieved through

excitement

• Animal Vs Human difference is a function of

this attribute


this attribute

– Balance between Sensory input & Motor output

– Man has physical homeostasis – Gita argues for

psychological homeostasis

• Gita is all about handling the world around us

and also handling oneself while engaging in

the thick of activities

Management Lesson 2

Discovering the Joy of Work

What is work?Today’s perspectives…

• Work is drudgery

– Therefore I need break

– I need a weekend get away

• I do not enjoy it

This is anti-thesis to Gita!


• I do not enjoy it

– It is boring

Modern thinking & Mgmt. is about associating all work

with drudgery & seeking pleasure from outside

Boredom is spiritual emptiness of mind

Chapter 4: Sloka 18The paradox of Karma

kmR{ykmR y> pZyet! AkmRi[ c kmR y>,s buiÏmaNmnu:ye;u s yuKt> k«TSnkmRk«t!. 4.18.

One who sees action in inaction and inaction in

action is intelligent, composed, doer of all action


action is intelligent, composed, doer of all action

You see several examples in real life

• Work done with a deep sense of devotion

• Work done with selfless love (Mother attending to a child)

• Work done with enormous passion (Dr. V of Aravind Eye Hospital)

In a nutshell, all greatest achievers in this world will be part of this list!

Relevance of GitaFreedom from work: Practical guidelines

• Twelve Principles to be diligently practiced

and followed

– Enable us to have holiday while engaging in heavy

work


work

– Lead us to get liberated from all effects of doing

work

– Karma dissolves and it does not taint us in anyway

Discovering Joy of WorkChecklist & Practical Guidelines…

• }anai¶ dGx>}anai¶ dGx>}anai¶ dGx>}anai¶ dGx>- Burnt by the fire of knowledge

– kam s<kLp vijRt>- Devoid of sensual desire & desire for results

– kmR )l Aas<g Ty−>-Forsaking the clinging to fruits of action

– inTy t&Pt>-Ever satisfied

– inraïy>- Depending on nothing

yt icTtaTmayt icTtaTmayt icTtaTmayt icTtaTma


– inraïy>- Depending on nothing

• yt icTtaTmayt icTtaTmayt icTtaTmayt icTtaTma- Controlled mind/body

– inrazI>- Without any ambition

– Ty− svR pir¢h>- Relinquishing personal possessiveness

– yd&Cda la- sNtu:q>- Content with what comes without effort

– ivmTsr>- Free from envoy

• ÖNÖ AtIt>- Transcending the world of dualities

– isÏ AisÏaE c sm>- Even minded in success & Failure

Is this an Utopian idea?

– kam s<kLp vijRt> Service to someone who was responsible for

what you are today – Bhakti & Shraddha

– kmR )l Aas<g Ty−> Mother attending to a child with pure love

– inTy t&Pt> A person attending to any work with a feeling of

“fullness of life”

inraïy>


“fullness of life”

– inraïy> One who believes that his/her work is God’s Work – Those

who work with a great social cause and divine perspective

– Ty− svR pir¢h> People who feel that they have no premium for

life – Poor people in any society have great propensity to take risk

and participate in common good

– yd&Cda la- sNtu:q> The pleasure of a 2 year old child can never be

matched by anyone else

Is this an Utopian idea or a

gateway to evolution of the self?

• We do have examples in real life – but in

varying degrees we practice it

– Post-man delivers news without emotions

– Thomas Alva Edison with 100s of failed inventions


– Thomas Alva Edison with 100s of failed inventions

– Great leaders who made an impact on the society

– Deep sleep – do we not practice this daily?

– Avatara Purshas: Rama, Krishna, Jesus …

Management Lesson 3

Developing Inner Strength &

Character

Relevance of GitaUnderstand the ways of “mind”

• Mind is an apparatus available with us– Keeps wandering all the time

– Revels in the world of dualities, controversies, adversaries, contrasts of existence, comparisons etc.

– Constantly makes an effort to deal with the gross


– Constantly makes an effort to deal with the gross objects of the world

• A gainful mechanism for the world of “without”

• How can we use a gross apparatus to see, understand and assimilate the subtlest of the subtle?– How to understand the world of “with in”?

How do we spend most of our time?

Seek to understand

why events unfolded

one way or the other

Judge everyone and

everything around us

There is a lot for our analytical mind to work on and seek answers !


Questions about

many things/events

happening in our life

Continuously bargain for results

(Even with GOD!)

Not accepting the

reality as it unfolds

Mind Game!Causes of Dukha

nay< jnae me suoÊ>ohetu> n devta> n AaTma,n g&h< n kmR n kal> mn>? pr< kar[< AamniNt.

People Time


Dukha

Body Past Karma

Deities Planetary

Mind

Relevance of GitaHow is the inner-self & character weakened?

kam>

maeh>rag>

Strengthening

Force


maeh>rag>

md> lae->maTsyR>

³aex>-y>Öe;>

Mental

Response

External

Responses Behavioural

Responses

Mind & Its activities…

I

Father, Mother, Son, Daughter, Wife, Husband…

Angry, Afraid, Envious, Attached, Possessive…

Dying, Losing my position, Left uncared for, Alone…

Must do this, Responsible for, I alone can do….


Boss, Sub-ordinate, Team worker, Leader, Follower…

Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya, Sudra, Male, Female,

Bachelor, Householder, Sanyasi, Human, Superior Race…

This is just a narrow sample.

How do we get out of this?

How do we reduce the number of tags that we wear?

mn> @ka¢< kr[Iym!

Xyan< helps this process; otherwise some kind of disturbances keep spoiling us

Relevance of GitaFlawless work thru’ Mind management

• How to avoid blunders in life?

– Desire & Anger are the two causes

– They are stemming from Rajo Guna

– Buddhi – Manas – Sense Organs have a


– Buddhi – Manas – Sense Organs have a

hierarchical relationship –Understanding this is

fundamental to managing this issue

– Fighting the world of desires & anger is the true

war to be won

Chapter 3: Slokas 42 – 43 Sense organs – Master Vs Slave?

#iNÔyai[ pra{ya÷> #iNÔye_y> pr< mn>,mnsStu pra buiÏ> yae buÏe> prtStu s>. 3.42.

Sense organs are superior to body – mind is

superior to sense organs – buddhi is superior to


superior to sense organs – buddhi is superior to

mind – Atman is superior to buddhi

Katha UpanishadYama to Nachiketa…

• Life is a journey towards fulfillment

– Chariot – Body

– Horses – Sensory System

(Motive power is in the horses and not in the chariot)


(Motive power is in the horses and not in the chariot)

– Reins to control horses - Manas

– Charioteer (who holds the reins) – Buddhi

– King (the Adhikari) - Atman

buiÏtu sarit< iviÏ

Bhagavad GitaUltimate guide for management

• Central issue in Gita is all about

– Doing work

– In the most efficient manner

– Ensuring work results in good benefits

• No other known source for extreme levels of motivation


• No other known source for extreme levels of motivation

– How easy is it to shoot down all credible leaders of the

society in one go?

• Vital clues for alternative paradigms of management

• Logical explanation for how to do certain things in the process

of creating high performance entities

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