The concept of 'Indianness' is coming back to India … the self-respect and self-confidence that we had lost over the years is returning. However, one of the persistent problems in the SME sector is that the next generation is not keen on joining because of the lack of 'cool' and 'wow' factors in these segments. However, a lot of such issues can be resolved if we start taking pride in your business by taking cues from our own historical past of business management.
All of us are leaders here. But there is always a scope to progress from being good leaders to great leaders and become an icon for others to follow. All that we need is strategy. There is so much that we can learn from our ancient past. The only way to understand management better is to go back to the management history of India. Indian history has the greatest strategist Chanakya, who strategised great governance. But somehow, our generation does not really know his thoughts or the ways to decode the Arthashashtra, which can be used in the modern way.
Understanding Stages of Life
All of us need to understand that we are not just managers or owners of our business—we also have to be mentors. In India, we follow the tradition of four stages of life. We begin with Bhramacharya, the student life, followed by Grihastha when we earn money and provide for our children. The next stage is the Vanaprastha when we retire from life and immediately enter Sannyasa.
Vanaprastha is about giving back to the society by mentoring and hand-holding the next generation. Your life's wisdom needs to be passed on to the progeny and make them ready to take forward the task from where you have left. The problem today is that we are not mentoring people enough. We are instead bossing people.
Chakanya hand-held his student Chandragupta Maurya, so that the latter could govern his kingdom well. Chanakya, in this process, documented the strategies, systems and processes so that it can be used years later.
If we are not sure about our next generation joining our business, we can take a cue from the Germans. German companies, which are family managed, have a legacy of more than 600 years continuously managing their ownership and dividing their assets for generations together with a foresight. This is what Arthashashtra talks about. Today's business is not about being national—it is about being international. It is all about India Vs. the World. There are many things to learn from your competitors—not as enemies but as teachers. Management is not about 'managing men', but about 'managing the minds of men'.
Modern Athashashtra
Chanakya's Arthashashtra talks about good management, strategising and leadership. All we have to do is look at it from a modern perspective and apply the strategies in a modern set-up. Chanakya wanted all leaders to develop the first and most essential skill called Aanveekshikee, which is the science of thinking strategically.
The most important resource that a human being has is the mind. However, this is also the most under-utilised resource. Chanakya developed a systematic way of thinking. One can handle finance and accounts, but how you handle your own mind is what matters. Thinking low is the biggest crime in the world and Indians have to start thinking big. The world today is looking at India as leaders but Indians are yet to believe in their own mettle. We have to change this attitude as it is curbing our growth.
Look Back And Learn!
Our own history has references of great innovations. Today, we study global innovations and imitate them. However, if we can look into our own history, which has a rich resource of invention and innovation of thousands of years, we will realise that we can be way forward. Today, we talk about Boeing and Airbus, but our own Vimanshashtra, which was conceived over 3000 years ago, has references of an entire city's population being transferred from one place to another—documented with empirical data. Much has been already done in terms of technological development in the past that while reading the history, I sometimes wonder as to who is more modern—We in the 21st century or They who lived thousands of years ago?
It is not about being successful. It is all about being significant. Give a different dimension to your business. It will bring about a new dimension to the industry and to the country as well.
Sutras Of business management from Chanakya's Arthashashtra :
1. Consult and Then Start
"All undertakings should be preceded by consultation. Holding a consultation with only one, he may not be able to reach a decision in difficult matters. With more councilors, it is difficult to reach decisions and maintain secrecy." (1.15.2,35,40) "Therefore sit and counsel with those who are matured in intellect." ( 1.15.20-21)
Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai (RP): Leaders have to understand that opinion makers are many but advisors are few. Learn to identify the set of advisors.
2. Listen to Everyone's Opinions
"He should despise none, (but) should listen to the opinion of everyone. A wise man should make use of the sensible words of even a child." (1.15.22)
RP: Every word of advice from top management to shop floor personnel is important. You should simply be able to identify the right ones.
3. Energy
"If the king is energetic, his subjects will be equally energetic. If he is slack (and lazy in performing his duties) the subjects will also be lazy, thereby eating into his wealth. Besides, a lazy king will easily fall into the hands of the enemies. Hence, the king should himself always be energetic." (1.19.1-5)
RP: We need leaders who are energetic and pass on the same level of energy to their team. Leaders are the ones who create more leaders and pass on the legacy.
4. Attitude of a Leader
"In the happiness of the subjects lies the benefit of the king and in what is beneficial to the subjects is his own benefit. What is dear to himself, is not beneficial to the king, but what is dear to the subjects is beneficial to him." (1.19.34)
RP: Spend time with your customers and understand their needs.
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