Gita Corporate World
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Transcript of Gita Corporate World
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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
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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?
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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• How do we develop inner character that sees
us in good stead at all times in our life?
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Bhagavad GitaPractical Vedanta?
• Primacy of this text in this country in
vedantic traditions
• Three dimensional perspective
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– Religious Angle
– Spiritual Angle
– Secular Angle
• Direct & Relevant thoughts for us
• Management consultants also have ideas to
draw from Gita !
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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.
B Mahadevan, IIM Bangalore
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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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>,
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– 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?
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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
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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
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Lessons from Gita Chapter 1What happens when we face crisis?
Lack of
Clarity
Lack of
Discrimination
Less questionable
about mindset
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More DefensiveFaint-heartednessBad
Decisions
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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
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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)
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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
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nervous/ psychic systems
• Ability to see changelessness amidst
change
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Management Lesson 1
Excellence thru’ Leadership
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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-,
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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.
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Equanimity A key element of leadership
suoÊ>oe sme k«Tva la-ala-aE jyajyaE,ttae yuÏay yuJySv
B Mahadevan, IIM Bangalore
ttae yuÏay yuJySv nEv< papmvaPSyis. 2.38.
Activity
Outcomes
Assessment
Feelings
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Different facets of equanimityChapter 14: Guna Treya Vibhaga Yoga
smÊ>osuo> SvSw> smlaeòaZmka<cn>,tuLyiàyaiàyae xIr> tuLyinNdaTms<Stuit>. 14.24.manapmanyaeStuLy> tuLyae imÇairp]yae>,
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manapmanyaeStuLy> tuLyae imÇairp]yae>,svaRrM-pirTyagI gu[atIt> s %Cyte. 14.25.
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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
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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
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Management Lesson 2
Discovering the Joy of Work
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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!
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• 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
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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
B Mahadevan, IIM Bangalore
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!
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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
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work
– Lead us to get liberated from all effects of doing
work
– Karma dissolves and it does not taint us in anyway
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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
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– 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
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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>
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“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
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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
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– 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 …
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Management Lesson 3
Developing Inner Strength &
Character
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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
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– 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”?
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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 !
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Questions about
many things/events
happening in our life
Continuously bargain for results
(Even with GOD!)
Not accepting the
reality as it unfolds
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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
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Dukha
Body Past Karma
Deities Planetary
Mind
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Relevance of GitaHow is the inner-self & character weakened?
kam>
maeh>rag>
Strengthening
Force
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maeh>rag>
md> lae->maTsyR>
³aex>-y>Öe;>
Mental
Response
External
Responses Behavioural
Responses
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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….
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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
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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
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– 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
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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
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superior to sense organs – buddhi is superior to
mind – Atman is superior to buddhi
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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)
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(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
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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
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• 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