BACK TO BASICS - Business Leadership Excellence Mantras In Uncertain World

Dr. Prakash Bhide

Business world is facing tectonic upheavals in unpredictable, complex & uncertain world. Competition is coming from unrelated sectors and unexpected new competitors. The only constant is ‘Continuous Uncertain Major Changes’. Shareholders, customers, employees and society are holding the CEO’s accountable for quantum growth and accelerated profitability. In this scenario, CEO needs to stand on firm rock like foundations and principles to guide them. Back to basics can help leaders in sound decision making in this uncertain world.



India used to be the envy of the world. We were Number One in every aspect of development. Pupils across the world turned up at our door for seeking knowledge at our temples of education such as Nalanda and Taxila (Like Harvard, Wharton and London Business School today).
The rich insights of our epics, such as Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagwadgita, have stood the best test of times for guiding our lives over centuries. Back to basics stresses simplicity and adherence to fundamental principles and values for excellence.

Our gurus & role models have always shown us that Back to Basics is the best way to deal with crisis and uncertain times. Principles and teachings of our epics are the gems and jewellary in the history of mankind. They can act as ‘Amrit’ (nectar) which can be a Sanjeevani (life giving) to all business enterprises. We are proud of Panini (originator of grammar), Aryabhatta (great mathematician and astronomer) and Bhaskaracharya (originator of concept of zero). India is the birthplace of three of the world’s major religions – Hinduism (7000 BC), Buddhism (487 BC) and Sikhism (1699 AD).

Recently, Business Leaders have been lured by western management theories and best practices. We need to go back to our basics & roots of Indian Cultural Ethos & Values. Building on the solid foundations of character and Indian values, we can customize western technologies & skills with discretion for modern times. We can thus move from BEST PRACTICES to NEXT PRACTICES, which will come from India. Mahatma Gandhi relied on the teachings of Bhagwadgita, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Upanishads, Bible and Koran and scriptures for decision making in crisis situations.

The Indian concept of Leadership is the TRIMURTI – of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The leader has the role of creator of new enterprises and things (Brahma), maintainer of business prosperity and sustainability (Vishnu) and destroyer of all that is non-value adding and evil (Shiva). The leader has to play all these three roles simultaneously.

There are many nuggets of gold, and I have selected a few to illustrate the ‘Back to Basics’ principles:

1. Golden nuggets from Ramayana for Business Leaders:

A. Teaching the value of commitment to our words (Vachan):

Many leaders are found to go back on their commitments for short-term gains.

रघुकुल रिती सदा चली आई

प्राण जाये पर वचन न जये

Lord Rama went for fourteen years of Vanvaas for the ‘Vachana’ given by his father, King Dasharatha, to queen Kaikai and that too many years ago.

B. Ideal brother Bharata – Role model of trusteeship

Business Leaders and CEO’s are the trustees of shareholders for managing the business on behalf of them. When Lord Rama went for fourteen years of Vanvaas, his younger brother Bharata did not crown himself as the king. He ruled on behalf of Lord Rama and put his Padukas (wooden shoes) on the throne as a symbol of lord Rama. Bharata handed over the kingdom to Lord Rama after his victorious return after defeating Ravana.

C. Followership:

Lord Rama’s younger brother Laxman is a great example of followership. He sacrificed and voluntarily went for fourteen years Vanvaas with Lord Rama in the crisis situation of Vanvaas. Similarly, Lord Hanuman is a role model of followership to Lord Rama. To become a great leader, you have to also be a great follower.

2. Golden nuggets from Bhagwdgita for Business Leaders:

A.Philosophy of action without attachment (Karma Yoga):

Business leaders are many times attached to material greeds, short-term gains and selfishness. The ENRON, Satyam and 2008 global meltdown was due to excessive and unbridled greed. Business Leaders need to act to achieve super-ordinate goal for humanity and not get attached or affected by outcome.

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्तेमा फलेषु कदाचन

B. The essence of ‘Action’ in ‘Karma yoga’ in times of crisis:

मयीसर्वाणि कर्माणि

संयस्त अध्यात्म चेतसा

निरशी निर्ममो भूत्वा

युध्यस्व विगतः ज्वर:

Act in the present and leave the outcomes of all actions to me. Do not worry about the future or be tied to the past. Do not be excited and lose self control even by the thrill of present action.

C. Leaders as role models (Walk the Talk)

यद् यद् आचरती श्रेष्ठः

तद् तद् एवो इतरो जनः

सः यत् प्रमाणं कुरुते

लोकः तत् अनुवर्तते

As the leader behaves, so do the followers. Leader sets standards by actions and deeds, for followers to learn and act.

D. Leader as a Mentor and Coach:

Lord Krishna was the epitome of ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’, and was the Mentor, Coach and Guru of Arjun. Business Leaders have to play the role of a Mentor, Coach and Guru, to nurture and groom emerging leaders for future.

E. Importance of controlling anger by Business Leaders:

क्रोधात् भवति संमोह:

संमोहात् स्मृति विभ्रमः

स्मृतिभ्रंशात् बुद्धिनाशः

बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति

When business leaders cannot control their anger, they are likely to take decisions which are detrimental to business and regretted by them later. Controlling anger is necessary for Effective Business Leadership.

3. Golden nuggets from Vedas for Business Leaders:

‘Yagna’ in Vedas, is a symbol of sacrifice of wealth, ego and worldly attachment of material things, desires and ‘Vasanas’. Business Leaders need to be servant leaders, and sacrifice for good of humanity and followers. Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa are revered for their sacrifice.

4. Golden nuggets from Arthashastra and Chanakya (3^rd century BC) for Business Leaders:

In face of competition (winning the war), Chanakya, in ‘Arthashastra’, (Book 13 Chapter 1 Verse 1) says:

“The conqueror desirous of capturing the enemy’s fortified town should fill his own army with enthusiasm.” Leader has to:

1. Think positively even during uncertainty

2. Communicate and inspire his followers

3. Go for the kill (action)

It is reported that Ratan Tata & Kumar Mangalam Birla were with their teams, in the ‘War Room’, 24X7 for the last few days during their major global acquisitions of Corus and Novalis respectively.

5. Golden nuggets from Mahatma Gandhi’s Life:

Mahatma Gandhi relied heavily on the scriptures & basics from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Upanishadas, Bhagwadgita, Bible and Koran for guiding his actions without fear.

A. In todays business management, “Customer is the King” is the mantra for success.  

Gandhiji’s thoughts on customer care:

“A customer is the most important visitor to our premises. He is not dependant on us, we are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. We are not doing a favor by serving him. He is doing a favor on us by giving an opportunity to do so.”

B. Leadership and change:

Change has to start from the leader himself, so that the followers are motivated by his role modeling to do the same.

There is an interesting story in the life of Mahatma Gandhiji:

One day a village woman came to the ashram with her young son to pay respect to Mahatma Gandhi. She touched his feet, took his blessings and requested Bapuji to tell her son not to eat too many sweets, and that in spite of her telling him, he was not listening to her. Bapuji smiled and asked the woman to come back after a week. After one week when the woman returned, Bapuji again asked her to come back after one more week. When she returned after a week, Bapuji smiled and told the young son not to eat too many sweets, as it was not good for his health. The woman was surprised and asked Bapuji why he had not told the same, the first time when she came with her son? Bapuji replied that he himself liked sweets and ate lots of them. He said that he decided to change himself first. The change had to start from him, so that he had the moral right to advise her son. He said that he could change with lots of efforts, during the last several weeks, and could control his urge to eat sweets. Hence it took some time to advise her son. A simple but powerful story that says, “The change has to start with the leader himself.”

6. Golden nuggets from Vedas:

अमंत्रो अक्षरो नास्ति

नास्ति मुलंश औषधीम्

अयोग्यः पुरुषः नास्ति

योजकः तत्र दुर्लभः

There is no syllable which cannot be turned into a mantra. There is no root of any tree which cannot be turned into a medicine. There is no person in the world that does not have a unique potential and capabilities. The leaders are rare who can spot such unique potential.

Modern management thinkers such as Markus Buckingham, have recently written several books such as ‘Discover Your Strengths’ and advise everyone to leverage their inherent strengths & potential and sculpt their jobs & careers around their strengths to be successful and enjoy their life.

7. Golden Nuggets from Kabir:

Value of critics & feedback:

निंदक नियरे राखिये

आंगन कुटीर सहाय

बिन पानी साबुन बिना

निर्मल करे सुभाय

The critics give us, at times, feedback which we do not like, but is true. Kabir advises us, that we should have some critics around us who can give authentic feedback for our improvement. The modern 360 degree feedback methodology for leaders uses the same principles and philosophy.

8. Golden nuggets from Rahim on building long-term relationships:

रहिमन धाग प्रेम का

मत तोडे छिटकाय

टूटे से फिर ना जुडे

जुडे गांठ पड जाये

Relationships are built over trust and love. Make sure that they are not broken. Because even if the relationship is re-established, the string can be joined only with a knot, which will remain forever, and the relationship will not be as smooth as before.

In modern business, relationships and networking make a huge difference and are crucial for the leaders’ success.

Difference between Indian culture and ethos from Western culture:

Many modern management theories & practices come from western world, based on their culture. Many times they are not found to be effective in India. Hence, we have to go back to our own scriptures & basics.

Indians are dependent, accept authority and are comfortable with hierarchy & power distance. Even gods and goddesses, in Hindu mythology, have hierarchy with Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh to be the supreme. Hence, when Lord Indra is on the verge of defeat by asuras, he goes to Lord Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh, for guidance, help and blessings. Most of Indians respect their parents, elders and gurus, by touching their feet. On the other hand, westerners are found to treat even their elders as equal, and call their bosses & superiors by their first names.

Westerners want YES or NO answers, and are digital in their thinking (0 or 1), (White or Black) etc. On the other hand, Indians are comfortable with analog thinking and all shades of Grey between White and Black. They are also found to be comfortable with many questions which have no clear-cut answers.

While westerners are individualistic & masculine in their behaviours, Indians are more comfortable with collectivism, joint family and relatives, and hence, we have a unique SIVA’s manifestation of ‘Ardhanareshwara’ which is symbolized as a half man and half woman idol.

Indians believe in fate, accept uncertainty and ambiguity. Indians have lived and accepted diverse cultures, views, values and societal norms, to live with harmony with many religions & cultures. The ideal Indian king & leader is Prabhu Ramachandra. Indians revere leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Narayan Murty of Infosys, who lived like fakirs with simplicity, and worked for super-ordinate goals for humanity, with not an iota of personal gains. They practiced Karma Yoga in their daily lives.

Conclusion:

The business world is in a crisis. For choosing the right business model for future, we need to go Back to Basics of our scriptures & history, to find the golden nuggets & principles for guiding us in these times of crisis and uncertainty.