Management lessons from Bhagavad Gita

In the today’s scenario management is the essential part of every one life. Management is the getting things done through and with people, efficiently and effectively. Management involves planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling human efforts. The philosophy of Bhagavad Gita should not be viewed from devotional perspectives only but also as a guide in developing managerial effectiveness. The Bhagavad Gita was delivered by Krishna to motivate Arjuna, who got mentally disturbed upon seeing those near and dear ones whom he had to kill in the end battle of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna told him to perform his duty. In the eighteen chapters of Bhagavad Gita, one discovers tremendous management guidelines which are applicable even today.

Lessons from Bhagavad Gita

1. Stick On A Goal- Fix a goal and achieve them.

2. Utilization Of Available Resources- Proper utilization of scare resources effectively.

3. Attitudes towards the Work- To develop the visionary perspective in the work we do.

4. Work Commitment- We should be detached from the expectations and results. Detach yourself from the end rewards and concentrate on the work itself.

5. Work Results- 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. If the result of sincere effort is a failure, then the entire blame does not accrue to the man of action

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 action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty. After listening and followed by leaders order Arjun recovered and decided to fight in the war against his enemies. This is the outcomes of Krishna’s motivation to Arjun

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 daivi sampat or divine work culture and asuri sampat or demonic work culture. Daivi work culture- Daivi work culture involves fearlessness, self-control, sacrifice, straight forwardness. Asuri work culture- Asuri work culture involves egoism, personal desires, and improper performance. Crate Daivi sampat work culture 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; you should not have doubts on the existence of the lord. Look for the bigger and harmonious picture, put yourself egos aside. Spirituality leads to social harmony and realize ultimate destiny of human beings as a result self-assessment and self-determination.

9. Power of Science and Wisdom- Gita says “Science can be understood by our senses i.e. mouth speaks and understands various issues through eyes, ears and other senses. Wisdom will create inner feeling (intuition), it will make power of your intentions very strong, which can be transformed into introspection, after series of inner understanding if your mind says yes it becomes intentions”. Intentions starts with inner feelings then transform into intuitions and travel as introspection and ably supported by wisdom becomes an action plan and your expressions and through science it becomes success formula.

10. Steadiness of Mind- Krishna tells in a tough situation one should practice steadiness of mind by yoga. Life is like Mahabharata wherein have battle being fought daily in the mind. Lesson: With steadiness of mind one can calm the emotions and increase his/her Viveka or Buddhi.

11. Surrender to the Supreme Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to surrender him to lord, you should not have doubts on the existence of the lord. Spirituality leads to peace as a result of self-assessment and self-determination.

12. Anger Management- Krishna said, desire for material goods comes from attachment to them, and anger comes from unfulfilled desires. Modern psychoanalysis revealed that anger is a manifestation of repressed and suppressed desires.

13. Transformational Leadership- Transformational leaders exhibit charisma, encourage followers to do things their own way. Bhagavad-Gita can serve as a guide in HRM.

Conclusion

The contribution of Bhagavad Gita not only spiritual knowledge but also the art of self-determination, personality, behavior, time management, stress management and many others aspects of management which can be used as a guide to increase management effectiveness. The Bhagavad-Gita suggested an HRM approach, which focuses on exploring the inner world of the self. If managers develop a sense of confidence, the quality of leadership will be improved and the quality of management will be improved.