Author: V Srinivasan
Publisher: Roli Books
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 121
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8174364730
Description
Though management as a practice is very old, as a subject is has evolved in a big way only in the last fifty years. Today there are a number of management gurus who have extensively studied this subject and evolved a number of theories relating to it. However, we do not find many ancient books which have codified thoughts pertaining to management. The Thirukural is an exception, despite being two thousand year old.
Considered the Tamil Veda, the Thirukural is a treatise on the Art of Living. Its eternal and universal appeal lies in its secular character, clarity of thought, depth of understanding and penetrating insights into fundamentals of human thought and behaviour.
In this book the author gives examples from his varied global experiences and explains how he has drawn inspiration from the Thirukural to deal with everyday business situations. In what is a fascinating analysis, the author also shows how the thoughts of contemporary management gurus compare with the timeless wisdom contained in the Thirukural.
The book is an indispensable guide for managers, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, students of management and those who aspire to be leaders.
REVIEWS
Srinivasan has bridged the notional divide between ancient Indian wisdom and current management thinking. The convergence of current management thought with ancient Indian wisdom leads one to believe that while the competitive landscape changes incessantly, the primary ingredients for lasting success fundamentally remain the same. In this context, the book effectively seeds ideas for Corporate Introspection and associated action that lead to effective learning.
-N R Narayanamurthy, Chairman and Chief Mentor, Infosys Technologies.
This book is not about merely glorifying ancient thought; now is it a do-it yourself manual. This book enables you to unravel simple solutions-which are also eternal truths-to complex management problems…it belongs to a unique genre in management literature.
-R Seshasayee, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ashok Leyland.
Srinivasan makes the stunning case that the Thirukural expresses a philosophy that can inspire and inspire modern management. I found myself wondering which kural I liked the most.
-Prof Bruce Kogut, Eli Lilly Chaired Professor, INSEAD, Paris.
Srinivasan has given us the essence of Indian wisdom in a style that is engaging and comprehensible to any lay reader…He has drawn inspiring aphorisms that are very useful in the pursuit of excellence.
-Swami Dayananda Saraswathi
I am greatly impressed by Srinivasan’s ability to link the ancient teachings with the various concepts propounded by the management gurus of the day…I would, without hesitation, recommend this book for reading by young and aspiring corporate executives.
-N Vaghul, Chairman, ICICI Bank, in his Preface to the book.
As head of a successful company, Srinivasan’s view on management is based on practical knowledge of business conduct. His book is a remarkable attempt to distil ancient wisdom into easily understandable concepts for modern managers.
-K V Kamath, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ICICI Bank, in his Foreword to the book.
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PREFACE
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
The Thirukural and I
Applying the Thirukural Today
MANAGEMENT
OVERVIEW
PLANNING
Planning a venture: Aspects considered essential
Planning as contemplated in the Thirukural
Deliberation before action
Judgment of strength
Choosing the appropriate time
Judgement of place
ORGANISING
Choosing the right people
Chief executive officer (CEO)
Chief operating officer (COO) and vice presidents (ministers)
Sales executives (ambassadors)
Selection of people for other positions
CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS
Key aspects
Supplementary aspects relating to conduct of affairs
CONTROL
Management information system
The service of intelligence
LEADERSHIP
OVERVIEW
PERSONALITY TRAITS OF A LEADER
Qualifications of a leader (prince)
Learning and listening
Understanding
Abstention from sloth
Self-control
Ability to handle defeat
Abstaining from anger
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Eloquence
Inferring body language
Judging one’s audience
CREDIBILITY
Consistency raises credibility
Trust - hard-won but easily lost
Living the values
Truthfulness
Mercy earns loyalty
REINFORCING IMPORTANT KURALS
REFERENCES