Management Guide from the ancient Indian Epic- Ramayana and Mahavarata.

(I have not written this neither there is any addition from me, I liked it from a friend's post, I feel this is most appropriate in some organizational practice, where innovation, creativity, and bureaucracy co-exists.)

In Hindu mythology, there are two great epics. One is called Ramayana, the story of Rama, The Warrior Prince. The other is called Mahabharata, The Story of The Great Bharata or the Land of Bharata, a just prince who ruled many centuries ago.

The center story of both the epics revolve around the victory of righteous over the evil and let's call this as the target or the goal.

In Ramayana, Lord Rama, the Warrior Prince leads his army to defeat Ravana, a demon king of the present day Sri Lanka. While in the second epic, Lord Krishna oversees the defeat of the Kauravas, cousins, and bitter of the Pandavas

In Ramayana, Lord Rama is the best yodhaa or Warrior in his side. He leads his army from the front. Formulated and communicated his strategies and directs people to do things which will meet the objectives of the war. His people are happy to follow orders and want to be appreciated for a job well done. Lord Rama, The Warrior Prince sets direction and goals also guided his people during difficult times. Lord Rama, The Warrior Prince wins the war and desired results are achieved.

On the other hand, Lord Krishna, the Master Strategist, declares that "I won’t pick a weapon or fight the battle. I would only be the chariot driver to Arjuna", the finest archer of that time.

Lord Krishna, The Master Strategist kept his word and never picked up a weapon and neither fought in the war. With Lord Krishna's strategy & guidance, the Pandavas won the war.

So, what is different between both the wars? It is the managerial style and the type of people being lead.

Lord Ram, The Warrior Prince, lead an army of "Vanara Sena" literally meaning an Army of Monkeys. Let's assume that these are not skilled at what they are recruited for and have to be trained, supervised and directed on a regular basis but they did fabulous job.

While on other hand, Lord Krishna, The Master Strategist, lead Arjuna, The Best Archer of his time and used his skill to effectively destroy a larger army of the Kauravas. Arjuna, during the height of a great battle begins to doubt the logic of the war and suffers depression.

Without Arjuna's active participation, the Pandavas had lesser chance of winning the war. Therefore, Lord Krishna, the master Strategist, uses logic and rule of Dharma or the Law of Righteous to motivate Arjuna and makes him formidable fighting force. Let's call Bhagavad Geeta, the discourse by Lord Krishna during the battle to Arjuna, as a SOP ( Standard Operating Procedure).

While Lord Rama’s role was to lead from the front and be there in the thick of the battle, Lord Krishna played the role of a coach whose job was to help the main fighting force remain focussed on the war and not be distracted by doubts Lord Krishna was a Master Strategist and no archer by any means, but he could help Arjuna see things from a different perspective and helped win the war.

Here are some basic differences in both the managerial styles.

Lord Ram, a highly effective warrior led an army of monkeys from the front. He was available for all kind of emotional support, gave precise roles and detailed instructions, motivated the army to fight to win the war.

Lord Krishna- works with best professionals, provides strategic clarity, empower, allows team members to take lead, fights for the cause of the team, did not allow emotions or distractions to come in the way of achieving the target.

So study your team closely and reflect upon what type of leader you should be. Lord Rama, the manager one hand holds the minions on a regular basis or Lord Krishna, who asks relevant questions, is highly focussed on the assignment nudges people so that they find the solution to the problems on hand.

Are your team members the Arjunas of the world, the best in the world? Who just need a strategy and direction or do they comprise of the Vanara Senas, the Army of Monkeys, who need to be trained, supervised and micro-managed?

I am told that the current generation of youth doesn't want be told, or show how things are done. I suppose, they just want to know the purpose of their task and how it makes difference to the goal. They are the Arjuna’s who don’t necessarily seek more skill/knowledge but they need a Guru to guide and direct. If you were apply Lord Ram’s style on them, you are bound to fail as a manager. On the other hand if there are from the Vanara Sena, the Army of Monkeys , who aren't skilled enough but always rely on your expertise to sail you through than Lord Ram’s style is most appropriate.

So, all the men and women of the world struggling to get the best out of your team, STOP, REFLECT, THINK . Adopt your managerial styles based on team rather than expecting your team to adapt to you.

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