The Bhagavad Gita and Management

Many of the principles and ideas presented in the Bhagavad Gita can be applied to modern management practices. 

We are going to talk about three principles here:

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।।2.47।।

Paraphrased: Your right is to perform action only, but never its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.

One of the key teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is to focus on what is in one’s control and not waste time on what is not in one’s control. This can be achieved through detachment from the results of one’s actions. 

This means that managers should focus on the process and periodically review the process than the output as output is more often than not is the result of the input (process followed). This will help the managers detach themselves from the outcomes or results (which is not under direct control) of those actions. In addition, one should not give in to inaction thinking, ‘if the result is not in direct control and detachment from the result needs to be practiced then what is the use of action!!!’ 

When managers follow the above, reviews become more objective and because they are based in input matrix clearly defined action plan can be drawn up. This leads to a robust process for the department/organization.

Performance of obligatory duties with detachment from the fruits/results leads to reduced stress and anxiety and allows managers and their team/s to focus on the present moment and the task at hand.

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।

स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते।।3.21।।

Paraphrased: Whatsoever a great man does, that the other men also do. Whatever he sets up as the standard, that the world (mankind) follows

Another important management principle from the Bhagavad Gita is ‘Practice what you preach’.

 A very old parable in the corporate world – ‘Everything in an organization flows from the top!’ Hence, it is important for managers and leaders to lead by example as people do what they see and not what they are told! 

This defines the culture of the organization and is directly related to employee satisfaction, which in turn directly affects the attrition rate. All of us die to work for certain organizations while do feel as strongly for some. What is the difference between the two? Often, it is the culture of leading from the front and owning up!

The positive fall outs of this are:

• Gaining respect from subordinates and peers
• More aware of the action on the ground
• Connected with the team leading to empathy
• Respecting the team and in the process gaining respect
• Increased ownership
• Less attrition and 
• Incremental productivity

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप।

सर्वं कर्माखिलं पार्थ ज्ञाने परिसमाप्यते।।4.33।।

Paraphrased: Wisdom-sacrifice is superior to the sacrifice with objects, O Parantapa (scorcher of the foes). All actions in their entirely, O Arjuna, culminate in knowledge.

The Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes on the importance of acquiring right knowledge to perform the right action!

Bhagawan Shri Krishna states (verse 4.33) that culmination of all action and activities is basis the knowledge one has. 

In a managerial role (or any role for that matter), it is imperative to have the right knowledge about the role/subject to perform the right action. Depending on the function, right knowledge can be about:

• Product
• Price
• Promotion
• Packaging
• Competition
• Customer etc. 

Having the right knowledge makes one more empowered and confident to deal with any situation (favourable or otherwise) with dignity and poise.

Lastly, Human Resource is the biggest asset of any organization and having knowledge about team members helps in right mentoring. This creates highly productive team/s which is a win-win for the organization (high productivity) as well as the individuals (higher roles). This helps in reduction/elimination of personal biases leading to better engagement of team.

The gem that we have for over five thousand years in the form of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita has a solution to all the above challenges, provided one engages (works as prescribed). 

Our books ‘The Corporate Bhagavad Gita – Discover the Arjuna in You’, Bhagavad Gita – A Story and भगवद गीता – कहानी स्वरूप are an effort to make The Bhagavad Gita a must read for everyone, and make it available for masses to imbibe, emulate, and make a positive difference in one’s life.