India can justifiably boast of a long history of culture, tradition and values. Scriptures of Indian origin are a treasure trove of nuggets of wisdom. These continue to be relevant in the current context and also find ready application in the field of business management and administration.
Here are some of the areas where I believe Ramayana can inspire management practitioners.
- A Premium on Values
Sticking to some core values which are steeped in righteousness eventually leads to success. The main protagonist, Rama, is depicted in Ramayana as an epitome of virtue. He is an ideal king, an ideal son and a pragmatic person. He sets high ethical standards in warfare and invariably sides with dharma, or righteousness.
A random sample of all successful business houses which have been around for more than a century now – Siemens and Tatas, for instance – is ample proof that ethics in business do pay dividends in the long run. Names of such business houses enjoy tremendous brand equity in the market; understandably, that rubs off on their products as well.
- High on Motivation
To me, the Ahalyaa episode is all about a good leader enthusing a team of demoralized members who have become zombies over a period of time and have stopped delivering results. Once ‘woken up’, they are fully charged and start performing along expected lines.
Rama wages a war on Lanka with very limited resources, backed by an army which is pretty out-of-the-box or unconventional. It is an army which is highly motivated, expecting minimal facilities. Goes on to show the superiority of motivation levels over the availability of physical resources.
A CEO who is out to increase his market share needs the back up of a highly motivated sales staff which – if motivated well – would go all out to win the hearts and wallets of the company’s customers.
- Mergers and Alliances
When a merger is based upon a congruence of basic value systems of both the parties involved, long-term benefits accrue.
The alliance between Rama and Sita is a turning point in the Ramayana for more reasons than one. Sita is brought up in the household of the sage-king Janaka. When Rama gets banished to the forest after their marriage, she displays a clear absence of any hedonistic tendencies and chooses to accompany him to the forest. Without a synergy of this kind, the sequence of events could have been quite different!
Likewise, the friendship of Rama and Sugriva sets a good example of mutual cooperation between two people facing a similar predicament in life and career. What follows is Sita getting traced in Lanka and Ravana eventually getting vanquished.
When Etihaad decides to team up with Jet Airways, or when Tata Steel ties up with Corus, the parties involved are looking for synergies in their respective core strengths, so as to tap their joint business potential better.
- Succession Planning
Dasaratha’s plans for installing Rama on the throne of Ayodhya do turn topsy-turvy, but the existence of a clear succession plan can never be denied. This is meant to ensure continuity in governance. It helped that besides being the eldest son, Rama was liked by all and hence chosen to lead the kingdom once his father passed away.
As per Raghuvansham of Kalidasa, when the time comes to relinquish his body, Rama divides the kingdom equitably between his two sons – Lava and Kusha.
All well-managed companies ensure that the career development plans of their top performers are directly linked to succession plans. Ideally, good leaders invariably groom at least three managers under them. When one gets promoted to the coveted slot, it is quite likely that two others may seek greener pastures elsewhere. Whatever happens, the goals and the processes involved in achieving the same enjoy uninterrupted continuity.
- Leaving the Comfort Zone
When Rama gets ordered to remain in the forest for a span of fourteen years, Sita and Rama take it as an opportunity to engage with the ordinary citizens of their kingdom, rather than remaining confined to the comforts of their palace. This helps them to understand the ground realities better.
CEOs and marketing honchos of today who travel through the hinterland to get a better first-hand feel of the customer’s pulse do a far better job of servicing the market.
- Excellence in Execution
The plan to locate Sita gets brilliantly executed by Hanuman. The wisdom with which he conducts the search and the single-minded pursuit of the goal is an example worth emulating by managers at all levels. While crossing the sea, he declines an invitation from Mount Mynaaka to take some rest on the way.
The manner in which he assures Sita of his genuineness exhorts managers to conduct commercial negotiations by first setting the anxieties of the opposite party at rest.
- Concern for Environment
For three days, Rama prays to the god of the sea to grant a passage to his army. Nothing happens. Rama then shoots arrows into the bosom of the sea, whereupon the sea-god appears and explains that he is bound by the laws of nature, just like earth, air, space, light and all constituents of the universe. Creatures living under his shelter he cannot forsake, but surely a shallow area can be shown where a causeway can be built.
Rama accepts the sea-god’s apology and orders the building process to start. Thus, the objective is met without damaging the eco-system.
In the current context, governments all over the world are realizing the importance of striking a judicious balance between economic growth and environmental concerns. Rama’s approach inspires us to strive to find the middle path and ensure that Mother Nature is not unduly disturbed to pave way for crass commercialism.
- Dependence on Yes-men!
Ravana is a highly learned and accomplished person. One of the reasons for his downfall is to neglect the advice of nay-sayers. His wife, Mandodari, brother Vibheeshana and minster and maternal grandfather Malyavaan – all advise him to return Sita to Rama. Instead, he chooses to listen to his courtiers who play on his ego and pride and advise him not to do so.
A couplet in Sundara Kanda of Ramcharitmanasa clearly advises us to ignore the advice of a paid deputy, a doctor and a teacher who speak positively out of either fear or expectation of a gain. A king who acts upon such motivated advice loses his kingdom, his body and his righteousness (dharma) as well.
- Humility in Victory
When Ravana is on his death-bed, Rama exhorts Lakshmana to learn the tenets of good governance from him. Lakshmana approaches Ravana rather haughtily first and fails. Rama then advises him to approach Ravana with due humility, whereupon Ravana speaks of the pitfalls of procrastination and shares his knowledge about statecraft and diplomacy.
- Power of Attorney
The sincerity with which Bharata takes care of the kingdom’s affairs while Rama is away speaks of true values of follower-ship. Upon his return to Ayodhya, Bharata informs him that the kingdom’s revenue had gone up ten-folds during the fourteen years he was away.
Here is an excellent example of a kingdom held in trust and good faith, much akin to the present day concept of a power of attorney getting appointed to take care of administrative and legal matters of a business when owners are not readily available.
- Make Haste, But Slowly!
Rama has won the war and is on his way back to Ayodhya. He decides not to rush back. Instead, he stays back at Sage Bharadwaj’s ashram for a night and makes enquiries about the state of affairs in Ayodhya. Also, he sends Hanuman upfront to break the news of his imminent arrival to Bharata who is living like an ascetic in Nandigram. He moves to Ayodhya only after receiving adequate feedback about its current situation.
- Leadership Traits
With the possible exception of his handling of Sita upon her return from Lanka, Rama conducts himself in an exemplary manner throughout the narration. Feminists these days may scoff at the treatment meted out to Sita but the fact remains that Rama acts like a true-blue king for whom the overall welfare of the kingdom comes first, even though he suffers personally in the process.
Whether it is befriending Nishaad Raaj, refusing to return to Ayodhya when Bharat approaches him in Panchavati, conducting the last rites of Jataayu, accepting Vibheeshana in his fold or even when reuniting with his mothers and brothers upon his return to Ayodhya, he sets a high bar for humanity in general.
In the corruption-infested times we live in, his leadership traits inspire managers to do their best even under the most trying circumstances.
- Ram Rajya
The concept of being fair to all is the bedrock on which modern management is based. For those in power at the top, an impartial conduct of those in authority is a sine qua non for the morale of the people. Sita gets banished to the Valmiki ashram when an ordinary citizen casts an aspersion on her character. Rama’s role is not much different from that of a true-blue CEO whose loyalty to the company’s overall welfare is unflinching.
Skirt-groping CEOs who have a roving eye and managements which look the other way just because they accord a higher priority to business goals than to the character of their top honchos could take a leaf out of Rama’s conduct.
There are several instances when management has to divulge information on a ‘need to know’ basis. However, if the basic practices are perceived to be fair to all, even management policies which impact the employees adversely – like a down-sizing – are not taken amiss across the company.
Ramayana is rich with several other narratives which could be useful to management practitioners. Also, each narrative may be interpreted in several ways, depending upon how one goes about analyzing it.
References:
Ramcharitamanas by Goswami Tulasidas, Valmiki Ramayana, Ramayana by C. Rajagoplachari, Raghuvansham by Kalidasa, Adhyatma Ramayana, Series on Ramayana by Narendra Kohli.
Illustrations Courtesy Internet
http://attachment.benchmarkemail.com/c117651/July-Augusl.pdf
(Related Posts:
https://ashokbhatia.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/management-lessons-from-mahabharata
https://ashokbhatia.wordpress.com/2015/09/04/management-lessons-from-the-life-of-lord-krishna)
Reading this article has been a great learning!
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Enjoyed reading this article….it was a nice journey!
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Lakshmana never approached Ravana for knowledge about statecraft and diplomacy. This was never mentioned in valmiki ramayanam , Please read the original content before sharing anything about Lord Rama. Lord Rama has information than Ravana to share to Lakshmana.
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You are right. This was quoted based on another version of Ramayana.
Thank you for going through and commenting!
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Very well written. I wish to add some more :
FIRM ON A COMMITMENT :
Shri Ram was dutybound to his Father’s ( Kaikeyi’s ) instructions to give away his right to throne and live in forest. Even after persuasion by all, he was firm on his stand. Another example will be , extending support to Sugriva and even going to the extent of attacking Vali from an unknown place though its not of Rama’s calibre. IT goes to show how far Rama can dilute his principles for the sake of protecting his friend and fulfilling his commitment.
BEST JUDGEMENT ON EVEN YOUR ENEMY’s BROTHER :
Shri Ram gracefully accepts Vibhishan as his friend though he is Ravana’s brother . Its an extraordinary gesture , befriending one’s main enemy’s kin . Ultimately , it was Vibhishan who was instrumental in giving the clue to hit Ravana’s navel , where his life was.
ALLOWING ENEMY TO RETREAT :
The first day of the war witnesses Ravana himself pitted against Ram and gets summarily defeated and armless. Ram asks Ravana to go back home and come fresh for the next day. Even your enemy in business will feel ashamed to fight with you in corporate world .
Like these , there are many more. I shall write further.
S.Balaji
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Dear Mr Balaji,
I am indebted to you for your thoughtful comments. Our scriptures are virtual oceans – every time we dive in, we come up with few more nuggets of wisdom.
For some time now, I have been thinking of coming up with an additional set of lessons. Your feedback prompts me to be more active on the blogging front!
Thanks again for all your insights.
Warm regards
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Another interesting aspect Sugriva sending his ambassador Hanuman ji to meet Ram and explore what kind of a person he is. Sugriva had a basic doubt whether Ram was sent by Vali . Hanuman tactfully handles the entire discussion and slowly narrates Sugriva’s background in such a way that Ram is fully convinced by Sugriva’s version . This is one essence in management, that of successfully convincing someone to fall in line with your plans.
S.Balaji
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UNEARTHING ONE’s POTENTIAL : When those south bound Vanaras finally reach the seashore, they deliberate on who can cross the sea and can come back successfully. Here Jambavan plays a vital role in reminding Shri Hanuman’s potential and skills which otherwise he was not realising his strengths and was actually not taking an initiative . This is a classic case of motivating one’s team and identifying the talent, potential and strengths and this is an excellent example of man management and motivational aspect.
Excellence in execution already covered by you well !
S.Balaji
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Reblogged this on ashokbhatia and commented:
When it comes to upholding righteousness in our turbulent times, instances from Indian scriptures offer invaluable insights.
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It is an AWESOME write up, on how we can look back on our scriptures to derive valuable insights into business.
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Glad you liked it. Just in case you wish to explore more, posts relating to Mahabharata, Thirukkural and Lord Krishna’s life might also interest you. Should you need links, do please let me know.
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Great job sir and pls do tell if my opinion is right I am just in 10th and would love to hear from u
Kaikeyi she lets herself to manipulated. She let seeds to be sown in her mind but as a manager shouldn’t she have taken mantra from her job. What do u think in this case.
Hanuman helps ram eventhough he could have killed Bali on his own. He made it Rams story
Many people today too contribute selflessly in business right
And I request u to write more on hanuman especially on the Sanjeevi mountain episode
and Sita and ram don’t lose their conscience after sitaharan neither their faith in humanity we too should acknowledge failure in business and bounce back
Btw a doubt wasn’t Shatrughan who actually managed Ayodhya affairs in Rams absence as Bharat was emotionally weak. He was the unsung hero.
Sumitra knew Kaikeyi ambitions and she did right thing by sending Lakshman with ram and Shatrughan with Bharat by not breaking her family
She as a manager didn’t try to Change Kaikeyi instead just worked it out right.
Sita was a dutiful wife not the obedient one and her decision was right
But Mandvi didn’t accompany Bharat if she had done so her family would have broken
So different decision in different scenarios it’s just important to be right
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Great questions!
1. ‘Kaikeyi she lets herself to manipulated’: So does Ravana, when he is made to believe by his team members that Rama poses no threat to him. So, let us be beware of Yes-Men around us, who could be worse than enemies.
2. Good idea. Let me see when I can work on it. He is an ideal follower – the kind that all business leaders need in their teams.
3. Yes, holding on to your beliefs and convictions in the face of adversity is a great quality to have. When Sita holds her own against Ravana’s overtures while being held captive in Ashok Vatika, we realize the importance of honesty, integrity and truth.
4. You are right. Shatrughan is a hero who deserves better popularity. But the beauty is Bharat’s selflessness in managing the affairs and holding the kingdom in trusteeship. This is a great lesson to promoters of public limited companies!
5. Yes, but one’s heart goes out to Urmila who stayed back and did not accompany Lakshmana.
6. To be right in different scenarios indicates an inner Moral Compass by which one’s actions get governed.
Thank you for your comments.
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@b. Srinivas it is mentioned in Devdutt Pattanaik Ramayan
And am u are articles seem to indicate u are from Pondicherry
I am also from Pondy glad to read ur articles though am not actually convinced with Sita banishment point as I couldn’t get the essence of it
Ayodhya is a hypocrite a society one has to become a victim to change it is my understanding
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Glad to know that you also live in Pondicherry!
Surely, those were idealistic times when the king had to uphold good values which citizens could follow. Going by Rama’s distress upon her getting kidnapped, the decision would have been very harsh for him at a personal level. He did it only to uphold the highest ideals, much like a CEO who has to spend time away from his near and ones at crucial times for the sake of his swadharma. This is the cross a leader has to bear; the price he has to pay for being a true leader of men.
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Here we can add one more
No One Is Bigger Than The Brand:
The challenge in building the bridge to Lanka was to make the stones float (as all stones will sink the moment it is thrown into the ocean). It is said that a solution was offered by supporters of Lord Rama, i.e. inscribe the name “Rama” on the stone and then throw it in the ocean. The same was done and it worked! At one point, Lord Rama decided to extend a helping hand so he picked up a stone and threw it in the ocean. Surprisingly it sank without a trace!
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Thank you for this input. If I have understood it right, you refer to “Rama” as a brand?
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I have just read this blog with great interest. It is amazing how so many management lessons can be learnt from the study of Ramayana. Most people read or listen to this epic purely from a religious or ethical point of view, apart for the sake of the immortal story itself.
I have read many versions of Ramayana. The banishment of Sita, I believe, is a latter addition to Valmiki’s original. There is no mention of this episode either in Ramacharitamanas, Adhyatma Ramayana or the Tamil Kamba Ramayanam (although I believe Kambar allowed another poet to add Uttara Kanda). Indeed the tradition followed by devout people, when performing the Paaraayan of Ramayana over several days, is to finish at the Crowning ceremony of Sri Rama.
As it happens, I have been reading Sundara Kanda of Ramacharitamanas for the past two weeks. Vibheeshana says he is transmitting the wise advice of Pulastya (Ravana’s grandfather). This advice was received through a disciple of Pulastya. As far as I know, Malyavaan was one of the few right thinking ministers in Ravana’s court. He was not his grandfather.
In the following excerpt of your blog:
“As per Raghuvansham of Kalidasa, when the time comes to relinquish his body, Rama divides it equitably between his two sons – Lava and Kusha.”, –“divides it” is a bit ambiguous as it may mean divides the body. I think “divides the kingdom” is more appropriate.
Once again, my heartiest compliments on a very insightful analysis!
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Kind of you to have not only gone through but also offered insightful suggestions on this post. You are right that Pulatsya was Ravana’s paternal grandfather whereas Malayavaan was his maternal grandfather and a minister who advocated Sita being returnd honourably to Rama. I have made suitable changes in the text, thereby improving the quality of contents.
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