MANAGEMENT LESSONS FROM MANAGEMENT LESSONS FROM RAMAYANARAMAYANA

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“Lakshmana, even this golden Lanka does not appeal to me; mother and motherland are greater than heaven.”

AbstractAbstract

This presentation explores and explains the:This presentation explores and explains the: The value of team work explained in Ramayana. The value of devotion and dedication in work. The power of sincerity and loyalty.The power of motivation.Transformational leadership style demonstrated by Sri Rama.SWOT Lesson

IntroductionIntroduction• “Kujantam rama rameti madhuram madruraksaram;

Aruhya kavita sakham vande valmiki kokilam”- Rama rakshya stotra

• [“I salute Valmiki, the cuckoo, who, perching on the tree of poesy, melodiously sing the sweet syllables – Rama, Rama” ]

Ramayana is also called “Adi-kavya” means First poem.Ramayana is not just a Poem but it is a “MANAGEMENT

BIBLE” of all time.Rama is a “MANAGEMENT GURU” he who converted least

skilled “VANARAS” to polished diamonds to achieve the goals.

Objectives of the PaperObjectives of the Paper This paper specifically explores and explains the

transformational leadership exhibited by Sri Rama as narrated by Valmiki Muni in Ramayana.

Research works exploring and explaining the Ramayana (Vedic literatures) in the context of modern Management and Leadership are limited.

Ramayana has a lot to offer to Management and Leadership, however there is a lack of awareness of the message and lessons from Ramayana in Leadership in this 21st century.

The transformational leadership exhibited by Sri Rama is a model and a guideline for every leaders at any levels of organization, society and country.

SWOT [strength, weakness, opportunities and threats] analysis is one of the most important aspects of modern day management.

Ramayana LessonsRamayana Lessons

• Leadership (renouncing egoism, equanimity, harmony, trust, simplicity)

• Communication power (clear, complete, courteous)• Team work (search of Sita)• Innovation and Motivation (bridge building, motivated

& encouraged Sita by hanuman, burnt Lanka)• Devotion (building bridge, fighting Rakshas, fetching

sanjivani mountains)• Loyalty (Agni pariksha)

What Is Leadership?What Is Leadership?

Leadership is an art (not science) of influencing, motivating, inspiring, and transforming people (human resources) towards achieving organizational goals.

It is better to have an army of rabbits led by a lion than a army of lion led by a rabbit.- NEPOLIAN

Transformational LeadershipTransformational Leadership

Bass & Avolio (1994) states that there two types of leadership; Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership.

Burns (1978) characterized transformational leadership as a process that motivates followers by appealing to higher ideals and moral values.

Transformational leaders are able to define and articulate a vision and mission for their organization and departments and their leadership style can transform their followers towards higher performance.

Transactional leadership focuses on exchange on valued things (rewards) and how current needs of followers can be fulfilled (Bass & Avolio, 1994).

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to go to the forest to gather wood, saw it, and nail the planks together (Transactional Leader)

Instead, teach them the desire to explore the sea (Transformational Leader).”

Traits of a Transformational Traits of a Transformational LeaderLeader

1. Transformational leaders are visionaries – Sri Rama created future vision for Ayodhya and the vision was clearly communicated to the people of Ayodhya before leaving to the forest.

2. Transformational leaders are change agents - Sri Rama changed the kingship of Kiskhinda from Vali to Sugriva and the kingship of Lanka.

3. Transformational leaders - are courageous people. Sri Rama was firm and brave to take all the risk to protect the words his father (King Dasaratha) gave to Kaikeyi.

4. Transformational leaders believe in people - Sri Rama had complete trust and believes in Sugriva to recover Sita.

5. Transformational leaders are value driven – Sri Rama, never deviated or deviates from the words he had and has given.

6. Transformational leaders are life long learners - Sri Rama, a perfect example of life of learner.

7. Transformational leaders have the ability to deal with complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty - Sri Rama had to make the painful decision to banish Sita from Ayodhya.

Transformational leaders never break promise – Promise given to Sugriva was fulfilled by Rama.

The Four (4) Dimensions ofThe Four (4) Dimensions ofTransformational Leadership:Transformational Leadership:Idealized Influence (II) Idealized Influence (II) - the people of Ayodhya who were full

of loyalty and adoration to Sri Rama, which resulted them to follow him (Sri Rama) and to request Sri Rama to return to their kingdom (Ayodhya).

Intellectual Stimulation (IS)Intellectual Stimulation (IS)- The intellectual stimulation provided by the Sri Rama forced Bharata to think and rethink some of the ideas that he never questioned before.

Inspirational Motivation (IM)Inspirational Motivation (IM)- Hanuman crossed the ocean to Lanka and found Sita. Sri Rama also exhibited inspirational motivation to the vanaras in the construction of the bridge to Lanka.

Individualized Consideration (IC)Individualized Consideration (IC)- It is my vow to provide shelter and protection to any living entity from fear, even if Ravana comes for protection, he (Sri Rama) will give protection.

(Sakrudeva prapannaya tavasmiti cha yachate; Abhayam sarva bhutrbhyo dadamyetadh vratam mama).

““EACH SOUL IS POTENTIALLY DEVINE; WHEN WE EACH SOUL IS POTENTIALLY DEVINE; WHEN WE KEEP FAITH IN POTENTIAL POWER IT WILL KEEP FAITH IN POTENTIAL POWER IT WILL

CREATE WONDERS”CREATE WONDERS”

Management Lesson Example Management Lesson Example From Ramayana:From Ramayana:

One of the most obvious incidences, in which use of

management principles is very clearly visible is that of Hanuman going to Lanka. His mission was to locate Sita there and give her Lord Ram’s message. When it became clear that Sita was in Lanka, Jamvant asked Hanuman to go there. He helped him in realizing his true potential and motivated him to go in the enemy’s camp. Once mentally prepared for the job and reached there, first thing which Hanuman did was to completely analyze the situation in Lanka. He did a complete study about the Lankans, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, the various threats and opportunities which he had in the enemy’s camp.

CONCLUSION:CONCLUSION: Never make promise, once you make promise never break

it.

Leadership, communication power, Team work, Innovation, devotion and loyalty.

Never step back to avoid risk because you can’t avoid them. But take them as challenges they make you strong.

Appreciate people for their work neither it is small or large. You need not to pay anything to talk good to somebody.

Try to learn good lessons even from your enemies.

By…

SHRITHEJA

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