Leadership treatise at Chitrakut
11th March 2024
‘Utopia Myopia’ is decision making disregarding facts and analysis. ‘Analysis Paralysis’ is inability to take decisions, quick decisions, because of availability of too much of data, facts, choices. Lord Ram advocates discussing the action plan with limited confidantes, not independently, not too many as well.
Listening is very important. A good leader must first intently listen to the opinions, cannot afford to neglect the opinions. Is the job of a leader just to listen to various opinions and go by the opinions. Not necessarily, Leader must consider all the opinions, analyse thoroughly and take the calculated decision(s). How would that be possible if the opinions are varied. Listen to this thirukkural for the tip.
தெரிந்த இனத்தொடு தேர்ந்தெண்ணிச் செய்வார்க்கு அரும்பொருள் யாதொன்றும் இல். Thirukkural 462
Meaning of the above couplet - There is nothing too difficult to attain for those who, before they act, reflect well themselves, after thoroughly considering the facts with chosen friends.
It is important to listen to and consider the opinions from chosen friends but decisions shall be made based on their own reflection on the various opinions discussed.
Great men think alike. Vamiki and Thiruvalluvar concur on this point.
· Do not take important actions independently, take important actions only after discussing with few who know the trade well.
· Select your inner circle who are experts in the matter but very few.
· Listen to advice, analyze the facts and then take the actions.
Leadership lessons to Bharat by Lord Ram from the Chitrakut hut continues. Next advice is on Cost Benefit Analysis and Timely action.
#CostBenefitAnalysis
कच्चिद् अर्थम् विनिश्चित्य लघु मूलम् महा उदयम् | क्षिप्रम् आरभसे कर्तुम् न दीर्घयसि राघव || Valmiki Ramayan 2-100-19
Translation - O, Bharata! I hope considering your interest fully, you launch an undertaking, which has maximum benefit with minimum cost and indeed do not delay it further.
Maximum benefit at minimum cost is the goal of all the enterprises. This is the fundamental unwritten mission for all the enterprises apart from other missions. Lord Ram advocates the same for kingdoms as well. Enterprises can sustain and grow only if making sufficient profit, only if the benefit is much better than the cost. There is no need to shy away from the fact that making profit is the fundamental mission.
Similar message is given in Tamil classical literature Thirukkural as well and incidentally that is also the immediate next couplet:
அழிவதூஉம் ஆவதூஉம் ஆகி வழிபயக்கும் ஊதியமும் சூழ்ந்து செயல். Thirukkural 461
Meaning of this couplet - Before deciding on an action plan, one must first consider the cost of the action, what will ultimately result from the considered action, and what benefit it brings forth.
Thirukkural put in three aspects to consider before working out an action plan and they are
1. Anticipated outcome of the action,
2. Cost that would be incurred and the
3. Benefit the action would bring to the table.
Net of cost and benefit is the profit which is important and the outcome that gets achieved for the cost and the benefit is also important.
#CorporateEspionage
Next advice from Lord Ram is about the need for maintaining secrecy of corporate strategy. I am amazed seeing some advice about secrecy of corporate strategy in any ancient literature. Valmiki Ramayan is probably the only classical literature which talks about espionage and secrecy to the best of my knowledge.
कच्चित् तु सुकृतान्य् एव कृत रूपाणि वा पुनः | विदुः ते सर्व कार्याणि न कर्तव्यानि पार्थिवाः || Valmiki Ramayan 2-100-20
Translation of this sloka - I hope other kings know your entire undertakings only after they have been successfully completed as well as those which have taken a shape, but not your proposed undertakings.
The risk of information leak is not just the threat from the competitors. Strategy is our trump card and it remains our trump card only when it is kept secret until implemented.
कच्चिन् न तर्कैर् युक्त्वा वा ये च अप्य् अपरिकीर्तिताः | त्वया वा तव वा अमात्यैर् बुध्यते तात मन्त्रितम् || Valmiki Ramayan 2-100-21
This sloka is a continuation of the previous sloka and is also on the same subject ie the need for maintaining secrecy of deliberations.
Translation - My darling! I hope that others are not knowing, by their enquiries or strategies or by any other approaches not mentioned, the details of discussions you make with your ministers.
This is probably the first known effort ever at understanding the threats to information security and the efforts to protect information being processed. Precursor to information security standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 in threthayug.
Management treatise at chitrakut will continue.
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GOOD NEWS COLUMN
It is my practice to cover one of the women achievers during International Women’s Day. This week’s GOOD NEWS COLUMN covers an Indian women achiever, Neeti Goel.
Neeti Goel is an extraordinary restaurateur, renowned philanthropist, and much-admired TEDx speaker. Neeti is a remarkable individual who has significantly contributed to business, philanthropy, and public speaking. As a TEDx speaker, she has shared her experiences and insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and the power of community, inspiring many individuals to pursue their dreams and bring about a positive change in their lives. She was awarded the title of "Super Indian" for supporting 25 villages in Barmer, Rajasthan, the Society Achievers' Award for "Iconic Women of the Year" in 2022 - presented by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis - and "Dare to Dream" by Zee Hindustan for philanthropic work and women empowerment initiatives.
Her latest venture is House of KO (an all-day cafe serving world cuisine on a platter in a rustic ambiance). She's the Founder of Nari Nitti, working towards providing opportunities to women in Rural India. She's also a co-founder of Khanachaiye and Ghar Bhejo with Sonu Sood. She has been honored at the Palace of Westminster by the British Parliament in London. Neeti has adopted 32 orphanages, 800 sex workers, built 1000 homes in Raigarh, and brought 1.5 lakh migrant workers back home through the Ghar Bhejo campaign (with Sonu Sood). She has distributed 80 lakh free meals to migrants during the pandemic and is now working to help 3000 tiger widows of Sunderbans provide for their livelihoods. She is a renowned restaurateur with restaurants like Keiba, Ostaad, Madras Diaries, Madras Express, House of KO, and Amore Villas Alibagh to her credit.
Salute women power.
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Conceived, compiled and posted by Jaganathan T (www.authorjaganathan.com) as a newsletter of positive information every Monday. Subscribe and read #MondayMusings.