Source: E-mail
dt.
11.8.2011
Construct
formulation by Management Musings
-
A case of management thoughts from Avvaiyar of Chola era.
B Prasanna Soundari
Assistant
Professor
GRD Academy of
Management
Coimbatore – 641
014
The western
world has popularized the concept of management, but when one traces the history
of management chanakya’s arthashastra around 300 BC lead the list. Today the global
corporate scenario dictates managerial skills to be complemented by soft skills
or life skills. It is a clear indication of reinventing the wheel. Where else?
But in India do we have a plethora of information on how to win work &
ultimately life. Bahavat Gita, Thiru kural, Panchatantra are great literature treasures which provides
insight on management. Let us not forget that Aaathichudi of our dear Avvai patti,
with whom we felt an instant connection in our Tamil classes of child hood days
is an eye opener on personality development.
Simplicity was
the way she presented any concept an
innate criteria of knowledge
management that is much talked about today. Her “Akkam Surukael” –never cheat on quantity of item you sell is the
first step to entrepreneurship. Her vision on globalisation is clearly understood from “oorudan Pagaikkin Verudan Kedum” –hostility with the
society/ country will destroy everything one has right from the root. Ideas on
international business are not new; it is we who have lost track. If Aathichudi we learnt during kindergarten days throw light on
management, Why not Moothurai?
“karpiLavOdu oppar kayavar kadunchinaththu
porpiLavOdu oppArum pOlvArE – virpidiththu
nIrkizhiya aidha vaduppOla mArumE
cIr ozhugu chandrOr sinam”
The wicked people do not unite due to
anger and this may be compared to split stone. Though divided, there are people
who unite, similar to the split gold fusing back. But the anger of the people of
high character is linked to that of an arrow sent from a bow into water, wherein
the division is repaired immediately. Anger management may be a buzz word among
soft skill trainer but our Tamil literatures inculcates these values during our
formative years. In fact you cannot
take right decision when in a state of anger.
If Avvai
spoke on anger management, strategy is not far behind. One should not react at
all times for anyone and everyone, but at the right time give a fitting reply
for the right type of enemy.
“Adakkam udaiyAr arivilar endreNNi
Kadakka karudhavum vEndA
Madaiththalaiyil Odu MIn Oda uru MIn
VarumaLavum vAdiyirukkumAm kokku”
Management by
exception, Management by objective & Management by walkthrough are much
talked about. If coining a jargon is all that matters to western world then the
reflections from our cherished literatures can be called as “Management by Musing”. All our
literature does converge when it comes to defining how a leader or a manager
ought to be. A leader should be humble, peace loving, committed, team player and
loyal. Do these natures sound synonymous with a spiritual person? May be
spirituality and management are related! It could form a hypothesis for research
study. On deeper thought, the Indian literatures act as secondary data and help
us built a construct for research that is “Spirituality”.
Management is as
old as the hill, but we keep it alive by doing things differently.
Acknowledgement