Name of Paper: Times of India (MUMBAI MIRROR)
Monday, 20th Oct 08 (Page 22)
DON’T FORGET YOUR PEOPLE ON ACHIEVING VICTORY
- Radhakrishnan ‘Chanakya’ Pillai
(This weekly column will bring out the relevance of Kautilya’s Arthashastra in today’s corporate world)
People struggle for their countries as freedom fighters or soldiers. But when we finally become victorious, it’s our duty and responsibility to free those who are caught by opponents, like prisoners of war (POWs).
Chanakya had said the same thing:
“When grown in strength, he should bring about the liberation of the hostage” (7.17.32)
In the case of the Indian freedom struggle too, several members of the Indian National Army (INA) were held at prisons in the Andamans. When we got freedom, they were rescued and also given awards and other national benefits.
It was the right thing to do, especially after the country became victorious in her struggle for freedom. Now how do we practice this in our organisations?
1. KNOW EACH PERSON AND GROUP
The head of each organisation should be aware of people who fight for him or her. Keep track of the people who have been with you in difficult times. Spend some time with them and also their families.
You will be surprised to know of the sacrifices the person and their families make. In case of a large company or a nation, the leader should keep track of groups of people who have fought for him or her – communities, local committees, religious leaders, etc.
2. FREEDOM IS A RESPONSIBILITY
After achieving the target, leaders should not sit down and enjoy the resultant power. Instead, look back at people who fought for you. In companies too, when we have gone through a difficult phase – like a financial setback or a recession period – look back at those who were committed.
So when you rise in life, understand that this freedom brings new responsibilities. Also, if someone is held hostage (or down with problems), immediately release them (solve their problems).
3. STORIES TO TELL
Finally, never forget the most important task – making sure that your followers’ sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Bring the heroes into the limelight and let them tell their stories. Document their struggle and let others get inspired.
These heroes are the pillars of any institution and should be rewarded. If any generation has to look back and it does not find any sacrificing people, they will take your hard-earned success for granted.
So ensure people know what it took to reach where you are now. And the best way to do this is to recognise those who helped you in becoming victorious.
(The author is a ‘strategic leadership’ trainer and consultant and also the Director of SPM FOUNDATION, the vision of which is to bring back ancient Indian knowledge in modern day applications. Can be contacted at rchanakyapillai@spmfoundation.in)
The above article can be found on line – click here:
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=5&contentid=2008102020081020022345395ddd0f078#
FOR AN E COURSE ON KAUTILYA’S ARTHASHASRTRA
http://www.indiayogi.com/courses/sw/workshop4.asp
LISTEN TO RADHAKRISHNAN ‘CHANAKYA’ PILLAI ON RADIO
Every week on the show ‘Ask Chanakya’ (Sunday 11-12 noon & Friday 9-10 pm Indian Time) on Moksha channel of Worldspace satellite radio. For details click below
http://www.worldspace.in/askchanakya/index.html
This week along with Radhakrishnan Pillai, listen to our guest on the show Dr Subhash Sharma – Dean of Indian Business School for more information about him click www.wwedsubhashsharma.com
FOR GOING TO SPIRITUAL TOURS
www.atmadarshan.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Are you really an active person, or imagining so?
Name of Paper: Times of India (MUMBAI MIRROR)
15th Sept 08 (Page 21)
ARE YOU REALLY AN ACTIVE PERSON, OR IMAGINING SO?
- Radhakrishnan ‘Chanakya’ Pillai
(This weekly column will bring out the relevance of Kautilya’s Arthashastra in today’s corporate world)
So many people imagine themselves to be hard-working, sincere and ‘active’ – without understanding whether it’s a fact or a figment of their imagination. You do not become active if you are just running around and working.Chanakya had a very simple definition of activity in the Arthashastra treatise:
“Activity is that which brings about the accomplishment of works undertaken” (6.2.2).So, you should describe yourself as an active person only if you have completed all the projects you started. This is quite important, and let me tell you how.Ask yourself if you have always achieved the ‘results’ that you started out for. So many of us – whether students, home-makers, office-goers and managers – have this common complaint: “I work so hard, but nobody bothers to appreciate or understand me.”Let me tell you that, if you finish your work and finish it well, you will be noticed. If you don’t finish your assigned projects satisfactorily, it becomes a mere action, and not something ‘active’.Now how can we plan an activity and achieve the desired results?1) DEFINE YOUR GOAL OR PURPOSEBefore you start, ask yourself questions like “Why am I doing this work?”, “What am I supposed to achieve by doing this?” If you are not clear, take the help of seniors who can you guide you better. Achieving ‘clarity’ of the goal is important before we start any work. Do a goal-setting exercise before you start. It should be time-bound and specific.2) HOW WILL I DO IT?Plan your work well with all the required details. Remember: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Also, understand the basic fact of life that you cannot do everything on your own. So, if required, have a team around you along with good advisors and consultants. Once the road-map is set, it becomes easy to reach our destination.3) FOCUS ON RESULTS, AND ACHIEVE ITAs you begin your journey, remember to look at your road-map from time to time, or you will lose direction. Make sure you are proceeding towards the same place you started out for. If you are a truly ‘active’ person, you will plan well, execute effectively and achieve everything smartly. Several people can and will misdirect you along the way. However, it’s you who has to be careful and stick to your goal.
(The author is a ‘strategic leadership’ trainer and consultant and also the Director of SPM FOUNDATION, the vision of which is to bring back ancient Indian knowledge in modern day applications. Can be contacted at rchanakyapillai@spmfoundation.in)
The above article can be found on line – click here:
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?Page=article§id=5&contentid=2008091520080915021442266119560fe
FOR AN E COURSE ON KAUTILYA’S ARTHASHASRTRA
http://www.indiayogi.com/courses/sw/workshop4.asp
LISTEN TO RADHAKRISHNAN ‘CHANAKYA’ PILLAI ON RADIO
Every week on the show ‘Ask Chanakya’ for details click below
http://www.worldspace.in/askchanakya/index.html
FOR GOING TO SPIRITUAL TOURS
www.atmadarshan.com
15th Sept 08 (Page 21)
ARE YOU REALLY AN ACTIVE PERSON, OR IMAGINING SO?
- Radhakrishnan ‘Chanakya’ Pillai
(This weekly column will bring out the relevance of Kautilya’s Arthashastra in today’s corporate world)
So many people imagine themselves to be hard-working, sincere and ‘active’ – without understanding whether it’s a fact or a figment of their imagination. You do not become active if you are just running around and working.Chanakya had a very simple definition of activity in the Arthashastra treatise:
“Activity is that which brings about the accomplishment of works undertaken” (6.2.2).So, you should describe yourself as an active person only if you have completed all the projects you started. This is quite important, and let me tell you how.Ask yourself if you have always achieved the ‘results’ that you started out for. So many of us – whether students, home-makers, office-goers and managers – have this common complaint: “I work so hard, but nobody bothers to appreciate or understand me.”Let me tell you that, if you finish your work and finish it well, you will be noticed. If you don’t finish your assigned projects satisfactorily, it becomes a mere action, and not something ‘active’.Now how can we plan an activity and achieve the desired results?1) DEFINE YOUR GOAL OR PURPOSEBefore you start, ask yourself questions like “Why am I doing this work?”, “What am I supposed to achieve by doing this?” If you are not clear, take the help of seniors who can you guide you better. Achieving ‘clarity’ of the goal is important before we start any work. Do a goal-setting exercise before you start. It should be time-bound and specific.2) HOW WILL I DO IT?Plan your work well with all the required details. Remember: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Also, understand the basic fact of life that you cannot do everything on your own. So, if required, have a team around you along with good advisors and consultants. Once the road-map is set, it becomes easy to reach our destination.3) FOCUS ON RESULTS, AND ACHIEVE ITAs you begin your journey, remember to look at your road-map from time to time, or you will lose direction. Make sure you are proceeding towards the same place you started out for. If you are a truly ‘active’ person, you will plan well, execute effectively and achieve everything smartly. Several people can and will misdirect you along the way. However, it’s you who has to be careful and stick to your goal.
(The author is a ‘strategic leadership’ trainer and consultant and also the Director of SPM FOUNDATION, the vision of which is to bring back ancient Indian knowledge in modern day applications. Can be contacted at rchanakyapillai@spmfoundation.in)
The above article can be found on line – click here:
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?Page=article§id=5&contentid=2008091520080915021442266119560fe
FOR AN E COURSE ON KAUTILYA’S ARTHASHASRTRA
http://www.indiayogi.com/courses/sw/workshop4.asp
LISTEN TO RADHAKRISHNAN ‘CHANAKYA’ PILLAI ON RADIO
Every week on the show ‘Ask Chanakya’ for details click below
http://www.worldspace.in/askchanakya/index.html
FOR GOING TO SPIRITUAL TOURS
www.atmadarshan.com
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