What Management is about ?
Different Authors define Management differently based on their studies, researches and understanding. Theoretically, Management is the art of getting things done by others in an effective and efficient manner by using various physical and financial resources. But, Management is more than what its definition says. It is actually the essence of every aspects of a human life whether its professional, personal or societal aspect. The role of manager is very crucial in any organization, a good management can lead an organization towards the peak of it’s success and vice versa.
The Origin of BHAGAVAD GITA
Bhagavad Gita which is also known as “Song of Lord” is the 700 verses conversation between Pandava Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, where Lord Krishna enlightens Arjuna by his words of truth and wisdom about the right way of living (Dharma) and resolves all his mental dilemma in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, when the epic war between Pandavas and Kuravas was about to start. This incidence took place about 5200 years ago and it still has it’s own significance in this modern world.
“Seek refuge in the attitude of detachment and you will amass the wealth of spiritual awareness. The one who is motivated only by the desire for the fruits of their action, and anxious about the results, is miserable indeed.”
Management and Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita is associated with the enhancement of an individual’s efficiency and effectiveness towards a desired goals. It disseminates the fear and changes the weakness into strength of an individual, shares the responsibilities, consulting the mentors, the need for a charismatic leader who inspires, motivates and tells the ground level reality to the team.
Management comes into the picture when a group of people comes together and work towards a common objective. The duty of the manager is to get things done effectively and efficiently by his subordinates. In every circumstances, a manager has to balance between all the available resources and its optimum utilization.
MANAGEMENT LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAD GITA
- Dedication Towards Work – A popular verse of Gita advises the detachment of expectations of desired outcomes from completing any work. Similarly, an individual must focus in accomplishing the work not in the outcomes associated with it.
- Selfless Work – Lord Krishna advices Arjuna to fight the battle for the betterment of the universe. He reminded Arjuna the purpose of war which is for the betterment of world towards the right way of living (Dharma), not for his own benefit, not for satisfying his own greed or desires. Thus, in an organization every individual should work by subordinating his individual interest under the organizational interest.
- Work as Identity – As per Bhagavad Gita a human’s identity is not defined by his caste, color and the family he belongs from but a human’s identity is defined from his actions and the way he behaves with others. It is same in context with management an individual’s identity is his capabilities, his work and his behavior with his superiors, sub-ordinates and peers.
- Emotional Intelligence – According to Bhagavad Gita, We should not get overconfident from our small victories and we should not feel so depressed after every small failures, we should constantly work towards our purpose. Similarly in management we must continue our work towards the betterment of the organization against all odds.
- Acceptability of Change – According to Lord Krishna, a person who has fear of change distracts himself from the right way of living (Dharma) and does unethical actions. Alike, a person in management should not fear change and accept the change.
- Intentions – Lord Krishna says that Intention is the essence to get the desired goals. Any work with good intention is always accomplished with desired goals. Equivalently, a manager’s intention towards the goal should be clear and achievable which differentiate him from others.
- Stable Mind (a key to success) – In the middle of the battle field, Lord Krishna says that human life is like a battle within mind and soul, a human must keep his mind stable, to analyze the situation and can make effective decision in order to win the situation. In the same way, a manager should try to keep his mind calm and take effective decision to overcome every challenges.
Bhagavad Gita transfers the ideal philosophy of ‘Karma’ – human actions. It’s the narration by Lord Krishna explaining the significance of human actions and its results thereof. Each individual in the universe has their own potential to the infinity. It’s the responsibility of every human being to identify that potential and achieve excellence in their respective profession. To do so one must not distract his path from the right way of living and should not involve into unethical code of conduct. An individual should constantly do his work without worrying about its possible outcomes. Every action should be done with an objective to do go for many, after all an individual’s identity is from his actions. On the other hand, Organizations are responsible for the betterment of its employees. They must be motivated to do work in an effective ad efficient manner in this competitive world.
