gita presentation 3.0

8/3/2019 Gita Presentation 3.0

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Rethinking ManagementThrough Bhagavad Gita

Indian Philosophical Congress 2011Chidambaram

Presented byK.Gopalakrishnan, PhD

V.Vijayalakshmi, PhD


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Structure Lessons and Inspiration for Organizations

Jnana, Bhakti, and Karma are required for sustenance with the firsttwo supporting Karma

Treading the dharmic path in Market Kurukshetra

Alignment of individuals to organization

Corporate Governance, Need for Mentor

Respect to all 4 types of human effort

Learning Organization (last sloka)

Lessons and Inspiration for Individuals

Choosing and Performing the action (Nishkamya Karma, Svadharma)

Essential Qualities (worker, leader/mentor, knowledge sharing)

Self-Awareness (larger window of perception, intrinsic motivation,

inward-focus, managing dualities)

Knowledge Sharing

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Lessons and Inspiration for

Organizations

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The Three Yogas of Sustenance

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Karma Yoga (Action)

Jnana Yoga

(Knowledge/Skill/Hard Skills)

Bhakthi Yoga

(Commitment/Devotion /

Soft Skills)

Iccha sakthi (mental), Jnana sakthi

(intellectual), kriya sakthi (physical)


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LessonYoga and Alignment

Arjunas woes arise from the fact that he is not yoked to Krishna (the

Paramatma). When the Jivatma is not in union with the Paramatma, there will be

uncertainty and struggle. When individual goals and aspirations are not in

alignment with the organization, then there is chaos and discordance. When

there is union, there is unity in purpose and action leading to accomplishment,

progress and peace. Organizations should strive to make all employees part of its

self.. The supreme self shines in all beings 5

One endowed with spiritual intelligence can get rid of both positive and negative reactions in

this very life; therefore be diligent in the science of uniting the Individual Consciousness with

the Ultimate Consciousness in pure loving devotion, rendering unadulterated service is

superlative genius


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InspirationCorporate Governance

An organizations reputation can be spoiled by the misdeeds of

a few. So, it needs to put proper Corporate Governance in

place.6

Such heinous deeds by all those destroyers of the family gives rise to

a population of undesirable progency completely eradicating the

time honored spiritual traditions of the family and nobility of the

lineage (1: 42)


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Lesson for the LeaderHandling Dualities

The crucial difference between a person, who can lead a

contended (and even a successful) life and others is the ability to

handle this world of dualities. It is important to develop and

nurture a capability to overcome the world of dualities

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Leadership

Leading theWay

For whatever a great man does, others

imitate. People conform to the standard

which he has set(3:21)

Initiator,

Proactiveness

No man can attain freedom from

activity by refraining from action; nor can

he reach perfection by merely refusing to

act(3:4)

Servant

Leadership

All creatures are the product of food,food is the product of rain, rain comes by

sacrifice, and sacrifice is the noblest form

ofaction(3:14).8


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Performance Management

An alternate form of measuring progress

Progress is a matter of increasing the inner peace and not

the agitations of the mind. Fixing goals pertaining to the

outside world of material objects always runs the risk of

failures arising out of not attaining them. On the other

hand, setting goals pertaining to the inner self does not

have these risks. He encourages us to get inspired by the

greatness of the ocean.9


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Just as a person discards an old and a torn shirt and wears a new one, the soul

(Atma) also discards an old body and acquires a new one.

The Path of Eternity

Interpretation 1: 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 fundamental building block of innovation and creating

competitive advantage.

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InspirationDharma as a Way of Life

Interpretation 2: CEOs and employees will come and go, but the organization

remains. Hence, it should care about long-term sustainability. Taking a long-term

wholistic view rather than a short-term reductionist view. Succession planning

and knowledge transfer to ensure continuity of organizational existence.

Interpretation 3: Just as an individual has a body and soul, an organization alsohas a body and a soul. Just as an individual soul can attain immortality or heaven

or moksha by treading the path of dharma, an organization can also last till

eternity if it is Dharmic in its principles. The Market is the Kurukshetra for the

organization. But, it has to wage the war in Dharmic way. For organizations, theMarket or the Economy is the Kurukshetra. It has to perform and compete in a

dharmic way to ensure long-term success. Organizational Ethics becomes a

significant factor here.

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Respect for Individuals

4 types of human effort: Just as a Society requires 4 types of

human effort, Organization also requires 4 types Intellectuals

(Management/Planning, Analysts, R&D), Warriors

(Marketing/Sales), Trade and Finance, Sudras (Production,

Support)

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While we take care of the Devas (through the basic act of

Yagna), Devas in turn take care of us.

Employee Wellbeing/Engagement

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Organizations need to take care of its Employees and vice versa.

Only then their mutual existence is guaranteed in the long term.


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Becoming a Learning Organization

Wherever there is Krishna, the lord of Yoga and Arjuna, the archer, I

think, there will surely be fortune, victory, welfare and morality.

Organizations having workers like Arjuna and Mentors/Leaders like

Krisha are sure to be Learning Organizations and will have

sustainable success. (18: 78)


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Lessons and Inspiration for

Individuals

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The Self

Self-

Awareness

The wise see that there is action in the midst of inaction

and inaction in the midst of action. Their consciousness is

unified, and every act is done with complete awareness(4:

18)

Self-

Confidence

The wise, ever satisfied, have abandoned all external

supports. Their security is unaffected by the results if their

action; even while acting, they really do nothing at all (4:20)

Emotional

Stability

The wise man who has conquered his mind and is

absorbed in the Self is a lamp which does not flicker, since it

stands sheltered from everywill (6:19).

Mind ControlForone who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best

of friends, but for one who has failed to control their mind,

the mind will be the greatestenemy(6:6)

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Karma Yoga and Business

Concept Management Insights

Self-Doubt Paralysis of Analysis

Selfless ActionLearning Organization

Corporate Social Responsibility

Wisdom in

ActionMentoring and Coaching

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Lesson Sources of Confusion

Arjuna has not fully understood himself. He is not clear of his purpose in life. His

thoughts and actions are influenced by external locus of control, by external

morality and society. In organizations, employees are stressed by peer pressure,

perceived competition, performance metrics, etc. They lack self-awareness. 18

Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly

weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me.

Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me. (2:7)


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InspirationKnowledge Sharing

Giving, without thought of return, at a proper time, in proper

circumstances, and to a worthy person, is Sattvic giving.

Giving with regrets or in expectation of receiving some favor or

of getting something in return is Rajasic.

Giving at an inappropriate time, in inappropriate circumstances,

to an unworthy person, without affection or respect, is Tamasic

(17: 20-22)

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Let us take inspiration from the Gita and engage in Sattvic

Knowledge Sharing at our work and in our personal lives.


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Idea1Nishkamya Karma: Desireless action, detached work -> will do the duty with

own rhythm and purpose.

Cause and Effect: You are in control of only your actions.

Cause for Arjunas despondency: Outward-focus, locus of control

Blame game: Ch6: 5th sloka, intrinsic motivation

Why are employees mostly not Satisfied with their job? Because, their focus

is not on doing the job, but on the incentives and

Transcending from Dualistic view of life to Wholistic view

Mentoring is important; Just as Guru is important for Spiritual progress

Niche competencies (Svadharma): Ch3, 35. Talent Management

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Idea4

Train only the deserving right knowledge to the right person

Chapter 18--- Gita to be shared only with the deserving

Training department or Mentors should not waste energies on

undeserving candidates.

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InspirationThe Ideal Leader/Mentor

Gita talks about the ideal and required qualities of a Leader.

Desirable characteristics: Courage, courtesy, nobility, straight dealing

Undesirable: Faint heartedness, Unmanliness

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A good leader is one who is incapable of hatred towards any human

being, who is kind and compassionate, free from selfishness,without pride, equable in pleasure and in pain, and is forgiving

(12:13).

Harmlessness, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, freedom from hate and

vanity; these are his who possesses the Godly qualities. Hypocrisy,

pride, insolence, cruelty, ignorance belong to him who is born of the

godless qualities (16:2).


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InspirationThe Ideal Worker

Nishkamya Karma Action without attachments/focus on

results. The mental energies are focused on the work done at

this moment than on the results/outcomes that will happen ata later point in time.

Svadharma: Understand your true self and choose

actions/job/tasks that would suit you. Dont do things that

wont suit your nature.23

Perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not

working. One cannot even maintain ones physical body without

work(3:8)

Perfection is attained when each attends diligently to his duty

(18:45).


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Jnana Yoga and Business


Devotion Morale, Cohesiveness, Stick to the Knitting

Divine Qualities Detachment, Learning Organization

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Bhakti Yoga and Business


Divine and

Demonic NaturesCode of Ethics, Standard Operating Procedures

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Thank you!

Your Thoughts?

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