Management Lessons from Indian Epics

Key Management Insights

Insight 1
Learn from

Insight 2
Make alliances

Insight 3
Appropriate leadership

Insight 4
Making right
choice

Insight 5
Effective utilization of human resources

Insight 6
Code of Ethics

Mistakes

Discontent is the root of fortune.

He is a fool that practises truth without knowing the difference between truth and falsehood.

Once Rama gives his word, that is final and it is kept at any cost.

Duryodhana

Krishna

Insight 1: Learn from Mistakes

Yudhishtra was indecisive during dice game Lost their kingdom and wealth Bhima was conceited Utilized the time to develop skills Arjuna acquired divyastras from Indra & Pashupatastra from Shiva Bhima sought blessings and learnt humility from Hanuman Yudhishtra learnt teachings from various rishis Yudhishtra became adept at dice game

Insight 2: Make Alliances

Pandavas Kauravas
Centralized power system No initiative to form new alliances Stuck to old alliances at far off places Powerful alliances throughout the country Panchala through marriage with Draupadi Dwaraka through marriage of Arjuna & Subhadra Magadh through marriage of Sahadev & Vijaya Kasi through marriage of Bhima & balandhara

Insight 3: Appropriate Leadership

Kauravas had.. while the Pandavas had

A single military leader at a time Bhishma, Drona, Karna etc More time needed to execute decisions

Distributed leadership structure Each aukshohini had a separate commander Shared sense of responsibility Adapt quickly to changing circumstances Enhances teamwork

Insight 4: Right Choice

Power of Wisdom
Pandavas chose Krishna over huge Army

Effective management
Good manager can do more wonders than thousand workers

Utilization of scarce resource

Choose the right man for right occasion

Insight 5: Proper Utilization of Human Resources

Team Spirit Strategy

One team. One goal Involve all in decision making

Know the weakness of your enemy Take calculated risks

Abhimanyu entered enemy region knowing he cant come back safe Commitment

Contact with various strata of people gives the right insight of life Practical outlook

Insight 6: Code of Ethics

Ramayana Rama followed Kshatriya Dharma whatever the circumstances He did not attack when Ravana he was unarmed He allowed Ravana to go back and bring his weapons

Management Companies should always adhere to their Code of Ethics Organizations should encourage their employees to follow ethical practices whatever the circumstances