In today’s
modern world, the art of management has become a part and parcel of
everyday life, be it at home or in the workplace. In all organizations, where a
group of human beings assemble for a common purpose irrespective of caste,
creed, and religion, management principles come into play through the management
of resources, finance, planning, priorities, policies and practices. Management
is getting things done through and with people, efficiently and effectively. The
philosophy of Bhagavad Gita should not be viewed from devotional perspectives
only but also as a guide in developing managerial effectiveness.
Holy
Bhagavad Gita is the tremendous contribution of India to the world. It is considered
to be one of the first disclosures from God. The spiritual ideologies and management
lessons in Gita were brought to the world by many great Indian efforts and they
called Bhagavad-Gita the soul of Vedic Literature and a complete model to
practical life.
As we
know Bhagavad Gita was composed in the form of
a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, to motivate Arjuna, who got emotionally challenged upon
seeing those near and dear ones whom he had to kill in the war of Kurukshetra
and Lord Krishna guided him to perform his karma. In the eighteenth chapter of
The Bhagavad Gita, one can find tremendous management guidelines which are
relevant even today.
Formulating
strategies to achieve goals is the prime function of every organization. Bhagavad
Gita guides in developing managerial efficiency and effectiveness to achieve
the desired results.
- Organizing the activities of the
enterprise is also an important step. Bhagavad Gita turns ones weaknesses into
strengths and shares the responsibilities among the people around.
- The selection and training of
individual for specific job functions comes under staffing. Bhagavad Gita
guides us the mode of selecting the right set of individuals in the team.
Selecting the right managers is also a crucial step that could motivate the group
members.
- Directing
includes designing a framework for an effective work climate and creating
opportunities for motivation, supervising, scheduling and discipline.
- Controlling means the power to control
how something is managed or done. Managing an army of 1.53 million soldiers and
warriors to action against a bigger army was not an easy task in Kurukshetra,
such a module was a great explanation to be useful in today’s scenario.
Management Lessons of Bhagavad Gita
1. Stick
on a goal - Fix a goal and achieve them.
2.
Utilization of available resources- Proper
utilization of scarce resources effectively.
3.
Attitudes towards the work - To develop the visionary perspective in
the work we do.
4. Commitmentof
Work - A
popular verse of the Gita advises detachment from the fruits or results of
actions performed in the course of one’s duty. Detach yourself from the end
rewards and concentrate on the work itself.
5.
Result of work - The Gita
explains the theory of "detachment" from the extrinsic rewards of
work. If the result of sincere effort is a success, the entire credit should
not be appropriated by the man of action alone similarly if the result of
sincere effort is a failure, then the entire blame does not accrue to the man
of action or the team.
6.
Motivation - Motivation plays a critical role in achieving goals
and business objectives. Lord Krishna said: you have a right to perform your prescribed
duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of the action.
7.
Work Culture - An effective work culture is about active and
rigorous efforts in pursuit of given or chosen tasks. Sri Krishna elaborates on
two types of work culture daivik sampat or divine work culture and asuri sampat
or demonic work culture. Asuri work culture involves egoism, personal desires,
and improper performance. Daivik sampat work culture is to become a world class
enterprise to tap the potential avenues.
8.
Surrender to the Supreme - Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to surrender
him to Lord; should not have doubts on the existence of the lord. Look for the
bigger and harmonious picture, put your egos aside. Spirituality leads to
social harmony.
9.
Power of Science and Wisdom - Gita says “Science can be
understood by our senses. Wisdom will create inner feeling which comes in the
form of intuition, it will make your intentions more strong, which can be
transformed into introspection.
10.
Control of Mind – Lord Krishna
tells Arjuna in the middle of the battlefield that one should practice
steadiness of mind. Life is like Mahabharata wherein battle is being fought
daily in the mind. With control of mind one can calm the emotions and increase
his/her Viveka or Buddhi with vivechana.
11.
Anger Management - Lord Krishna said, the desire for objects
comes from the attachment to them, and anger comes from unfulfilled desires.
Modern psychoanalysis reveals that anger is a manifestation of repressed and
suppressed desires. The purpose of life is to fulfill the responsibilities, goals
and most importantly peaceful co-existence with fellow human beings.
12.
Transformational Leadership - Transformational leaders (HR
managers) exhibit charisma, encourage followers to do their own way and treat
followers differently but equitably. Today’sHR managers and consultants can benefit
from the philosophy of Bhagavad-Gita, which can serve as a guide in HRM.
The
contribution of Bhagavad Gita is not only limited to the spiritual knowledge
but also the art of self-determination, personality, behavior, time management,
stress management and many other aspects of management which can be used as a
guide to increase management effectiveness. The Bhagavad-Gita suggests an HRM
approach, which focuses on exploring the inner self. If managers can develop a
sense of confidence among individuals as indicated in the Gita, the quality of
leadership will be improved and the quality of management will also be
improved.
Dr. Shweta Sharma
Asst. Prof. Chemistry
Career
College Bhopal
