INDIAN ETHOS 1

 Ethos
Ethos is a discipline that examines one’s morality or the moral standard
of the society. Ethics means expected standards in terms of your
personal and social welfare. It includes honesty, morality, responsibility
etc
 Needs of Indian ethos

• Management attitude:
Top management having firm belief in value oriented involving whole in
the management. Profit is earned through service and satisfaction of all
stakeholders, employees, customers, shareholders, and citizen.
Fulfillment of social responsibility.

• Humanizing organization:
Looking at the three aspects of humane organization ie., inter
personal relations, man machine equation where main in the prime
concern and inner management through mental and spiritual growth of
individual.
• Interiorizing (self) management:
Self management are management by consciousness. When the soul
manages the other four members of the human being namely the body,
mind, intellect and the heart, the conflict these four have amongst them
can be resolved. This management my consciousness. The objective of
self management is to first know and manage oneself and then manage
others.

• Self introspection

Embark upon self study, self analysis and self criticism to locate areas of
friction and disharmony, a self examination of one’s thought, feelings,
emotions, sensation, passion and desire to reduce and subdue the ego

• Brain stilling
For rational enduring decisions silent mind is a necessity. A perfect
mounum (calm mind enjoying tranquility) is necessary. Brain stilling is
the most reliable method to discover solution to problems and
difficulties which seems to be difficult to tackled by reason and intellect
because through this one can come into contact with the inner mind and
high consciousness

• Stepping back
Never decide anything, never speak a word, and never throw yourself
into action without stepping back. The stepping back from a situation for
whiles enable one to control and master a situation

• Self dynamising meditation
A dynamic meditation is meditation of transformation of lower
consciousness into higher consciousness and hence called transforming
meditation. Through meditation in a silent and calm mind one can
reaches a high level of consciousness which offer guidance in the form
of institutions to tackle the multitude problem. This is called
consciousness approach to management

• Role of intuition (feeling)
Intuition is the act of coming to direct knowledge or certainty without
reasoning or inferring. It is immediate cognition by the inner mind and
when fully developed is efficient and effective for taking prompt and
sound decisions. Intuition skills enable one to cope with confidence the

fluctuating environment and rapid changes. Faith is Prerequisite to
develop and realize the power of intuition.

 Purpose of Indian ethos

• To develop proper management
To develop proper management system in the organization. Management
systems based on principles as per ancient wisdom are of immense help
for the smooth conduct of business. Value oriented management system
can be established with the help of Indian ethos

• To ensure all round development
To ensure all round development growth and prosperity i.e. .,
productivity, marketing, profitability

• Work sincerely
Indian ethos teaches us that if you work sincerely for the society, for
your organization and for the nature you will really enjoy your life
through money harmony, peace and happiness your image is bright

• Productivity of human being
Indian wisdom indicates that productivity of human being is more
importance than plant capacity

 Characteristics / Nature of values:
1. Part of culture

Values are elements of culture and culture is the complex of values, ideas, attitudes
and other meaningful symbols to shape human behavior in the society. Every
society has its own culture and people in that society adhere to cultural
requirements.

2. Learned responses

The human beings live in society having certain cultural characteristics, which
prescribes them to behave in a particular way. Their behavior is represents a set of
stimuli to an individual and also a set of responses appropriate to those responses
or alternatively punished for not adopting or indirectly associated with other
stimulus situation that are rewarding. Thus through the learned experiences the
individuals are uncultured or socialized. Cultural items learned early in life tend to
resist change more strongly than learned late in life

3. Inculcated

Values inculcated and are passed through generation to generation by specific
groups and institutions. Such transmission starts from the family from where the
socialization process starts. Apart from family, educational, religious and ethnic
institutions also transmit cultural values from one generation to another

4. Social phenomenon

Values of social phenomenon. I.e. cultural habits are shared by aggregates of
people living in organized society. An individual ways of thinking and behavior
constitutes culture. Group is developed and reinforced through social pressure
upon those who are interacting with one another

5. Gratifying responses

Values exist to meet the biological and other needs of the individuals in the
society. Thus elements in the culture become extinguished when they no longer are
grafting to members of the society. The society rewards behaviors which are
grafting to members of the society. The society rewards behaviors which are
grafting for its members.

6. Adapative process

Culture is adaptive either through a dialectical process or evolutionary process.
Dialectical or sharply discontinuous change occurs when the value system a culture
becomes associated with gratification of only one group or class in the
environment. In system and replace it with a new value system such as through
revolution or other methods

 Qualities of values

1. Fearlessness

2. Courage

3. Purity of mind and heart

4. Integration of thoughts, action and behavior

5. Straight forwardness

6. Generosity

7. Spirit of sacrifice for the sake of common goal

8. Inspired ideals and vision

9. Creativity

10. Empathy, love and affection

11. Patience

12. Faith

13. Friendship with all

14. Calmness

15. Control of mind and restraint on senses and passions

16. Non violence (in ways of adopting collective bargaining)

17. Non greediness

18. Firm but fair

19. Charity (free health care centers, adult education etc)

20. Harmlessness

21. Modesty

22. Gentleness, truthfulness, loyalty etc

• Values for Indian managers

The managerial values are categorized in 3 parts in an organizational
environment
1. Physical values
Accuracy
The precesion, exactness and conforming to the fact in details of work
Cleanliness
In offices, production and warehouses facilities, equipments, customer
service areas, raw material and finished product inventory, bathrooms
and so on.
Maximum utilization of resources
The desire and ability of the company to improve its performance by full
utilization of its current resources (time, money, equipment, material,
space people etc)
Orderliness
In offices drawers file cabinets, shelves, paper work, files, phone
numbers, priority of work, daily and weekly plan

Punctuality and timeliness
In arriving on time work, from breaks, from lunch, to meetings, in
replying to letters and phone calls, in paying bills on time, etc. Occurring
at the most suitable or opportune time
Quality of products and services
In terms of presentation, functionality, choice value, speed , timeliness,
suitability, repeatability, life span, courtesy, friendliness etc
Regularity
Of meeting, reports, sales calls, performance reviews and so forth
Responsiveness
The way people, the organization, systems etc react to a need coming
from within or from outside the organization
Safety
In office, warehouses, production and research facilities, vechiles for
employees, vendors and customers
2. Organizational values
Accountability
Of individuals, department and division for performance, results,
problems and so on.
Communications
Up, down and sideways within the company, with customers and
vendors, in terms of openness, frankness, clarity, frequency, accuracy,
timeliness and brevity

Cooperation
Among individuals, departments in terms of plans, activities and systems
Coordination
Horizontally between departments in terms of plans, activities and
systems. Discipline in adherence to company policy, rules, systems,
procedures, schedules, standards, and ethics and so on
Freedom for initiative
To make suggestions, develop plans, make decisions, carry out or
modify actions and so on.
Integration
For smooth operation vertically between different levels of the
organization in terms of plans, decisions, priorities.
Standardization
In terms of forms, files, procedures, reports, performance evaluations,
equipment, training, recruitment, orientations, communications and so
on.
Systemization
In sales, marketing, customer service accounting, research, production,
engineering, recruitment, training, promotions, communications,
coordination, reporting and so on.
3. Psychological values
Continuous improvement
The desire and ability of the company to develop and incorporate ways
to improve itself

Creativity
In terms of new products, new ideas, new systems, new production
methods, new applications of technology, new methods of financing,
new marketing strategies
Customer delight
The positive emotional response and joy that the customer feels from
interaction with our people and our products and services
Decisiveness
In solving problems, planning, executing plans in terms of speed and
commitment to decisions once made.
Develop people
The desire and ability of the company to improve the lot of the
employees working for it
Agreement
The overall atmosphere and interaction between people, departments,
divisions, systems, activities, rules, and policies within the company and
between these elements and the external environment, customers,
vendors, community laws and so on
Innovation
The desire and ability of the company to venture into new, breakthrough
areas of opportunity
Integrity
Keeping to one’s word, promise, agreements being truthful, non
deceitful etc.with employees, customers, vendors, government etc

Respect for the individual
In establishing rules and policies, design of systems, making decisions,
executing instructions and so on in terms of people’s health, safety, self
esteem, feelings and opinions
Service to society
Community welfare, environmental protection, development of products
and services that meet real physical, social or psychological needs are
the primary activities of managers

 Values for managers in India

a) Core values of mangers in India
There may be divergent values in tune with the nature and goals of
different functional departments and also the overall organizational
culture. However there are some dominant values also known as core
values that are considered as crucial by majority of managers
• Integrity
• Trust
• Achievement motivation
• Truthfulness
• Humility and contentment
b) Personal traits of managers in India
Personal traits are enduring characteristics of an individual by which he/
she can be identified and also to a certain personal traits which make

him / her successful and efficient. The respondent executives indicated
that the following are the dominant traits
• Stability
• Skill
• Creativity
• Achievement
• Flexibility
C) Goals of a typical manager in India
Values of a manager will have a direct influence on the goal and
objective he sets. Personal goals of a manger may vary depending on
goals, culture and philosophy of the concerned organization.
Nevertheless, each manager works with a certain aim and purpose in his
mind. The following are the goals of a typical manger in India
• Customer satisfaction
• Achievement of department and organizational goals
• Completion of tasks within scheduled time frame
• Employee motivation
• Career progress
d) Important personal qualities of a manager
Managers with limited abilities and skills with static values and goals
may not be able to achieve success in all circumstances. Certain personal
qualities (height, complexion, voice, dressing habits, gregariousness,
versatility, etc.Should supplement and stand in good stead of an
individual supplement and stand in good stead of an individual to

accomplish all round success, The respondent executives reported that
the following five qualities are important for a typical manager in India
today
• Self control
• Articulation abilities
• Sociability
• Physical stature
• Dress
e) Private values for managers
Private values of a manager refer to all those values which he holds
while undertaking activities besides organizational responsibilities. If an
individual daily goes for a walk in the morning, it is a value and if he /
she spend an hour every night helping the child doing the home work
gives by the teachers at school. Therefore all the other roles that a
manager has to play called private life values. All those who hold
important position in organizational related activities. However there is a
small proportion of managerial workforce who ignores organizational
responsibilities and work for the promotion of personal interest

 Elements of Indian ethos:

Indian management methods are bound to work in India. Indian ethos is
better than other ethos present in other countries. Indian believe
1. Ego sublimation rather than ego assertion
2. Sacrificing spirit rather than fighting spirit
3. Team achievement rather than individual achievement
4. Spiritual attainment rather than material prosperity
5. Self control rather than outside control
6. Concept of duties rather than concept of rights
7. Yielding rather than dominating
8. Concern for this age world and improvement
9. Respect for and search for all truth whatever be its source

 Work ethos
Work ethos refers to certain norms of behavior governing the conduct of
workers involved in workers involved in work situations to achieve
certain desired objectives. In other words work culture is the
involvement of workman with work.
The degree of one’s involvement impacts his performance to give high
or low productivity, high or low quality i.e. higher the degree of
involvement, higher well be the productivity and quality.
 Works ethos at different levels of management:
Work ethos will be different at different levels.
 At Basic level

1. Discipline
2. To maintain punctuality
3. Coming to work on time
4. Behaving properly with superior, colleagues and subordinates
5. Not wasting time during working hours
6. Dignity in relating to peers, semorn and subordinates
7. To do things those are morally good or sight
 At Top level
At the top level, it is about commitment and accountability feel
responsible for the task assigned to him. Some more points related to top
level are
1. Work culture
Good work culture means one is fully devoted towards work and has
high morale. On the other hand, poor work culture results in high rate of
wastage, poor quality, low productivity and low morale
2. Loyalty
Work culture is also concerned with a workers loyalty and sense of
belongingness to the organization. One should protect the interest of thee
organization. No employee should make any adverse comments about
the organization in the public
3. Commitment responsibility
Every man should work like a master not like a slave. The workers
should take full responsibility for the task assigned to them and furthest
efforts to achieve what is expected from them.

4. Sense of belongingness
The worker should exhibit by his behavior a sense of belongingness of
the organization. A feeling of respect should be there for the
organization. One should maintain good relationship with peers, sub
ordinates and superiors and treat them well
5. Protecting the interest of organization
6. No adverse comment about the organization in public

 Dimensions of work ethos

1. Rightful expectations
• Work ethics refer to ethical attitude to work alone in context of
employment

• In any organization, efficient and diligent performance of duties
assigned to the employees

• This is rightful expectations and moral demand on the employees of
the employer

• An employer gives an opportunity, career and a status to an
employee

• The employee should give out his or her best to the organization.
This is ethical demand of duty

• Shrinkingwork,making excuse for poor performance, finding faults
with organization etc are against the demand of work ethics

• On the other hand in the same way employee also has rightful
expectation from the employer

• It is regarding their service condition for career advancement and
recognition and rewards for their work. So this called ethical
employee employer relationship

2. Sense of loyalty towards the organization

Loyalty means safe guarding and promoting the interest of the
organization. It requires a sense of devotion and allegiance beyond the
routine job requirement and duties. A loyal employee should not
promote those personal interests which are competing organization at
the cost of organization. He acts as a faithful agent promoting
organizational goals. Loyalty also means giving organizational needs a
higher priority over personal needs

3. Discipline

Every organization and work group have written or unwritten rules,
norms and ways of working. The members or employees have to follow
them. There is a hierarchy of power and authority at the work. The
people on lower level are expedited to follow orders, directions and
suggestions given by their superiors. Obeying the orders is part of
discipline. On the other hand there should be no harassing environment
for lower level people. There should be mutual trust, respect and
friendly relations between each other. A good organization must provide
appropriate channels for grievance redressal and for investigating
complaints against its higher level executives. The higher authority
should know sense of responsibility. It should be utilized humbly for
promoting the goals of organization, to motivate and help subordinates
in their self growth and to provide imitative and leadership for
collective growth

4. P’s of work ethics

Whenever an individual joins an organization he /she is under an
obligation of job contract, which confers a right to be duly compensated
against what he is committed to perform. To fulfill his obligation and

committed he is expected to preserve certain degree of skills and
attitudes such as regularity, punctuality, discipline, initiative etc. All
these together combine an ethical value system which every employee
must follow however sometimes organizations atmosphere may be
different. Even then an individual is expected to be ethical at his own
level. Generally at work place, people are concerned for three factors or
3p’s i.e. pay, prospects, promotion but one 4th P i.e. performance is the
most important factor which determines the organizational as well as
personal development.

 Model of management in the Indian social political environment
Models of management
I. The chakra borty Model
The model bases itself on vedantic concepts
Vedanta is a systematic and formulated knowledge life and living. It
helps to gain the knowledge of your intrinsic self (fundamentals)
According to chakra borty there are 4 goals human system
1. Dharma (rectitude and righteousness) = (correctness and justice)
2. Artha (money and wealth)
3. Kama (desires and needs) = (needs and requirements)
4. Moksha (Liberation of spiritual ones)= (freedom for religious)

Features of chakra borty

• To aim and strive for a PURE MIND

• Work must be done without personal claims to selfish results (reward)
as the primary driving force. Desire less results must by primary
objective
Work = Desire less work (Nishkan karma)

• Balance is the keynote of Indian thought. It tries to maintain balance
between short term goals to material achievement and the ultimate
divine protection.

• Human personality complies
An outer active, involved and dynamic self called PRAKRITI
An inner inactive witness and silent self called PURUSHA
To have an in-depth awareness of the innerse self is crucial for effective
self management

• The reliability of a leader rests on the quality of impersonal love

• The Indian thoughts take the individual as a contra focus. It I am good
then the world is good.

• No work is inferior or dreaming. Work is not any a means to gain
name, fame or power but to purify our minds and ego and take is
towards the attainment of heaven

• Knowledge is Indian thought speaks of 2 fundamental concepts
• CREATOR and CREATION. The Indian thought tries to seek
knowledge about the creator rather the creation. The various yogic

process, social norm and values helps in transformation of minds to
enable in establishing contact with the creator
Thus the model aims in ethico- moral transformation of both the
worker and the manger
In chakra borty’s news all these features can be summed up in context
to industry or business in the BUSINESS ASHRAM vision which is
as follows

• There should be a growing tendency towards products with longer life
cycles as against the shorter one today

• Organizations should tend to contract rather the expend as is the
current tendency
• Localized, decentralized economic activities should include faster
than centralized one’s

• The need for high speed, long distance continuous travel should
gradually decline. Bicycles should again come

• Employee relations should become more cooperative and less
adversarial. Spirit of trusteeship should also be implied amongst
owner/ top managers

• Competitive advertising making customers a prey must be reduced

• Business growth fuelled by greed and achieved through
manipulations, financial mergers and heavy debit financing should be
favored less.

• The search for strategic advantage, strategic intent, strategic response
or global market should be slowed down. Local resources for local
markets to meet local needs should be the principal thrust.

• Mental Illnesses due to overconsumption outside and
undernourishment within should destine

• Loyalty and gratitude to organization and colleague should become
important features of professionalism

• Reduction in greed and interpersonal rivalry should give way to basic
human values like SHARING and HUMILITY

• Networking interpersonal or inter organizational should be
highlighted than the self centered motive of survival

• Decision should be based on basic values of spirituality, ethics and
ecologically positive or negative

• In education – realization and idealism should regain their lost
importance as against the current trend of careerism

• Technology should be accepted or rejected by the standards set out by
the spiritualized human being

• Alignment and empowerment of the individual will with the ultimate
divine will would lead to error morally correct decisions

• Finally the work place will tend to be transformed into a spiritual/
moral gymnasium. In this the income profit etc will be treated as a
means of serving the basic physic economic needs of employees and
society
Chakra borty stated that his model is idealistic. The problems lies that
when the ideals are set too high, instead of acting as an incentive, tends
to act negatively as they cannot be attainable

The model also is silent about the visions and the objectives of an
organization which are central to ethical behaviors of a corporation and
its management
II. The Jitatmananda Model
Jitatmananda bases his model on the concept of practical Vedanta and
particularly swami Vivekananda
The model rests on a few essential credos
1. The holistic paradigm (model)
According to the holistic paradigm two truths revolutionaries the
body of
A respectful athitude of honesty, help, care and encouragement are
not only the beet policy but only poling in management
A worker can generate himself if empowerment, encourage trust faith
and support are offered to him
Thus holistic paradigm teachers
A) Love begets love
B) Hatred begets trust
C) Trust begets trust
D) Gratitude begets gratitude
E) Respect begets respect
F) Empowerment begets responsible productivity
G) Meditation and spiritual practice provides guidance to corporate
members

2. Creation of ethical leaders

(I) whatever the excellent and best ones do the commonness follow
(II) That leader is the best who has learnt the are of drawing different
kinds of people towards him and extracting the best from each one
according to his qualities and aptitude

• Factors which helps the leader to attract workers are

A) The workers must know that the leader sincerely feeds for them
B) The workers must see that the leader himself lanes to share all the
works that the workers do
C) The workers must see that the leader practices what he preaches
D) The leader must be pure in body and mind

• The leader must lane the following essential qualities

A) Evenness or equanimity of mind YOGA KARMA KAUSALAM
YOGA is skill in action
B) Capacity to face adverse situation with strength and calmness
C) Learn to be the servant to be able to rule
D) Ability to make the place of work a place of worship
E) Ability of creating the environment of a corporate family

3. Creation of self

Within as the source of all power. Four ways to manifest self power are
A) Knowledge
B) Devotion

C) Unselfish action
D) Meditation

4. Creative leader must both visionary and missionary

To create a leader of the highest creative power, four qualities are
necessary
a) The yogi- a contemplative man the quintessential thinker, who is fond
of research but finds it difficult execute his ideas into action
b) The doer- Who executive a plane or an idea efficiently obediently
without question
c) A visionary – with the power to envision
d) The capability to transforms that vision and spiritual dynamism into
others

5. Company is a family- Vedic idea of a corporate culture

Thus the jitatmananda model envisages the company culture to be
entirely formulated around the leader manager’s culture. The role of
founder entrepreneur or stockholder his object vision are absent from the
model
III. The sherlekar model
The model is based on turn ideals:
A)Human values – spiritual. Ethical and moral
B) Holism – unity, oneness, cooperation and synthesis
For the development of his thoughts he depends upon certain Indian
scriptures:

1. All work is an opportunity for doing good to the world and thus
gaining materially and spiritually in on lives
2. Worship people not only with the material things but also by
showing respect to their ever present divinity within
3. Strength and inspiration for excelling in work comes from the divine,
god within through prayer, hold readings and unselfish work
4. He who works with calm and even mind achieves the most
5. As we think so we succeed so we become. Attention to means
ensures the ends
6. By mutual cooperation respect and fellow feeling all of us will enjoy
the highest good both material and spiritual
7. Infinite happiness and infinite peace come to them who see the divine
in all beings
8. Regal the other person as divine being
Based on these Indian scripture’s principles, sherlekar considers the
following basic principles of Indian ethos for management.
A) Immense potential energy and talents for perfection as human being
has the spirit within his heart
B) Karma yoga offers double benefit of private benefit, self purification
and public benefit
C) Excellence at work through self motivation and self development is
the best means of total quality management
D) Cooperation is powerful instrument for term work and success in
any enterprise involving collective work

E) Inner qualities are much more powerful than the capital materials,
plant and machinery which are outer resources

• Delegation of authority
Although delegation of authority is a significant function of mgmt but it
is nearly an informal activities. Excessive centralization is present in it.
Subordinates are always or in most of the case unwilling to accept
responsibility due to such condition decision are always centralized.

• Trade union
In Indian corporate sector trade union are always dealt as an enemy of
employers. The trade union on their parts is always pressuring the
employees for the benefit of their member. Trade union are now just a
formality and to enjoy political influences

• Transfer policy
In Indian public sector there are rare transfer policies. Such policies exit
only on papers, transfer is basically done on the punishment, favoritism
and recommendation. In private sector some transfer policy still exist but
that‘s to for top level employees

• Performance appraisal
It means evaluation of performance of an employee. In Indian
management model there is no concrete appraisal system. Appraisal is
not done on the basis of actual performance

• Customer’s grievances
In practical situation such system seldom (rarely) used and grievance are
dealt mostly on the basis of mutual settlement. But now days due to

excessive competitive atmosphere companies have started giving
preference to customer grievance

• Planning:
India has a well established planning commission under prime minister
which formulate five year plan. In private corporate sector an especially
a medium and small scale farms only short ranged planning is existence.
India has hardly been able to achieved any five year plan objective in
a successful manner due to lack of proper implementation of
programs. Profit maximization is the sole consideration of business
organization neglecting other aspect of planning

• Recruitment and selection
In public sector most of the recruitment and selection is done on the
basis of recommendation reference of present employees are giving
the priority providing less importance to the performance of the desired
candidate

• Human resources development
No proper policy of employee’s motivation and leadership exist in
reality. Decision on promotion and tenure of service are based on
recommendation and reference rather than performance. An ambiguous
human resources policy is a main cause of employed dissatisfaction

• Training and development
No proper policy to determine the need of training and development.
Expenses allocation for training is very less. No atmosphere to learn and
understood the importance of the concept of training and development

• Employer employee relationship

Relationship between employee and employer are not very cordial and
comfortable. Employer at lower level is given very low autonomy
(power authority). They hardly participate in all management function;
employees are threatened just as commodity or cost centres

 Managerial effectiveness under /EM (Indian ethos in management)

The main job of management is not producing results. Workers are to produce
results; mangers produce performers. Top management is visionary. They plan 5 or
10 years ahead and perform 2 duties

1. To translate the vision or dream in terms of projects to be accomplished

2. To develop performers who are self motivated. Workers job to produce results
by executing the projects

S. Item Western management Management Based on Indian
N ethos
O
1 Belief Production, productivity, profit at Material gain, with belief in
any cost achieving human and social
welfare also
2 Guidance Management guided by mind Management by consciousness
only, led away by ego and desire, power beyond mind, i.e., soul.
soulless management Interiorized management
3 Emphasis Worker development, Development of man, integrated
management of others, profit growth, harmony, happiness and
maximization. Human being health. Management of self
given only lip sympathy
4 Tools 5Ms as resources- men, money, Men, machines, materials and
materials, machines, markets. methods as conscious partners- all

Science and technology having consciousness whether
information for decision marking manifested or dormant.
Information and intuition for
decision. Ethics and values
combined with skills
5 Problem Conflict resolution by Conflict resolution through
solving negotiation, compromise, integration and synthesis on
arbitration, liquidation of stressing super ordinate common
differences only for a temporary goals so that enduring harmony
period. No reference to higher and unity is assured. Self
consciousness introspection, stepping back aids
the search for solution
6 Decision Brain storming (round table Brain stilling(entering the room
making approach) of timeless silence)
7 Developm Physical, vital and mental only. Integrated development, whole
ent Soul or spirit ignored. Material man approach, breath control and
development only, even at the meditation emphasized. Human
cost of man and nature enrichment and total quality
8 Approach External behavior. Mental, Noble attitudes. Inner guidance,
material, selfish only- soulless team spirit, total harmony, global
good

 Features of Indian Ethos

1. Divinity of a human being is not merely a notion but a truth which can
be experienced in the stillness of the mind.

2. Balance is the keynote of Indian thought. We have synthesis, harmony
Between the dual concepts. The Individual is the central focus.

3. Devine element in the individual is only a portion of the universe of
the Universal or cosmic consciousness.

4. Gives greater emphasis on values, human and ethical. Knowledge is
not Power. Indian ethos is based on Indian scripture. Indian thoughts
provide Eternal knowledge

5. All work is worthy and honorable.

6. Emphasis on duties and responsibilities.
7. Deals with two types of knowledge.
a) Knowledge of creation
b) Knowledge of creator

 The mindset of a manager:

S.No According of current According to Indian ethos in
management practices management
1 Produce results Produce performers
2 Organize men, materials, Mobilize men and sound out
machines and money other readiness
3 Plan, set goals, prepare Obtain agreement and
schedules, checklists commitment on means and ends
4 Motivate,praise,reprimand, Inspire, empower, celebrate
punish, push people success, mourn failure, draw
people
5 Check,control,report a command Set personal example, visible,
post accessible, on the move
6 Coordinate, requisition, convene facilitate, show ways to overcome
meetings
7 Instruct, issue notices, order, Make queries, sound out ideas,
demand compliance encourage suggestions

 Differences between ethics and ethos

Differences between ethics and ethos

Origin
Ethics are derived from the shastras • Ethos are derived from culture
Nature
Universal • Culture – specific country or region
Function
Determines punya,paap,swarga, • Determines cultured or cultured
narak conduct or misconduct behavior

Examples
Truth, non violence, donation,
kindness • Welcome, pranam, respect to
elders love to youngsters

 Indian heritage in business and management
India has a very rich cultural heritage .However it known to many that
India is not a developed country in terms of its economy and business.

• Indian business in the past:
In the olden days Indian economy was totally based on agriculture.
People used to produce whatever they required for their self
consumption. People began to specialize in producing different items of
luxury and daily use and did not have skills and time left for producing
other items of their use. However they were able to produce surplus
items with increase in their efficiency.
• Indian business in the medieval (relating to mid age)period

Trade and business continued both within the and outside the country.
Various sea routes are discovered during the period. Metallic currency
was introduced for the first time
1. Trade routes
India is connected by road ways in the earlier time also. The road way
touched its height of glory in the medieval. The network of these trade
routes indicates the extent to which places in the deep interior were
involved inter regional exchange of commodities
2. Administration:
Administration in India is excellent in mid age. A lot can be learned
from the administration emperors.

 Quality Management in heritage business
Quality is a continuous process of improvement for individual, group of
workers, and the whole organization towards the quality.
Quality is a participative process because every employee in the
organization is involved and expected to take responsibility for
improving the quality every moment
You can only improve that, which you can measure, be become what we
think which implies what is thought about a business and we can
improve

 Objectives of quality
1. It will enrich the total quality of work, product and services, persons
also.

2. The employee will become self dependent and self manages
3. The employee as a person will become quality conscious
4. The employee will become self discipline

 Guiding principle for quality:
• Do it right first time
This can be fulfilled when the right information is provided to the all
levels of the organization so the decision can be taken right in quality
oriented

• Customer oriented:
Business considered customers as the king thus goods and services
rendered to them must meet their satisfactory and demanding levels.
Customers now focus on the quality even they have to pay more.
• Team empowerment
The more people feel involved themselves in group or in a team the
greater will be the commitment to the organization, its goodwill,
customer satisfaction and quality

• Continuous improvement
There is no limitation in the expectation of the customer of quality
therefore continuous improvement must be established with the ever
changing affairs in the business.
• Work is supreme that can lead to total quality

• Commitment for action

• Sense of belongingness to the organization

• Focus towards each and every activity for betterment

• Selfless action towards work

• Total perfection and quality must be the objective of each and
every employee

 Benefits of Quality management

Tangible gains Intangible gains
Better product quality Effective team work
Productivity improvement improvement of job interest
Reduced quality cost Improvement in human relations
and work area moral
Increased market Customer satisfaction
Reduced employee grievances Improved communication
better problem solving capacity
Improved corporate health and
character of the company
Better company image

 Economics of giving business and management
 Analyze the health of business

• learn to identify when a customer is in trouble

• consider ways of developing your existing markets and building on
relationships with existing customers
• consider ways of developing new markets and finding new customers

 Minimize cost and maximize efficiency

• minimize your fixed and variable costs by checking for better deals
than you currently have, eg with utilities providers, contractors and
suppliers
• manage your relationship with suppliers more effectively
• assess suppliers' performance and seek the best possible deal
• review your bank charges quarterly

 Keep cash flow healthy

• tighten up your credit control and maintain a healthy cash flow
• learn to work with cash flow forecasts and remain aware of your cash
position at all times
• keep track of the time it takes for you to pay your suppliers and for
your customers to pay you
• consider debt factoring and invoice discounting

 Limit the risks of business faces

• develop strategies to manage all risks you face
• carry out a SWOT analysis
• consider worst-case scenarios and know exactly what to do if your
business experiences serious financial problems

 Develop an effective survival strategy

• revisit your business plan and development strategy and make
changes according to your current circumstances
• inspire confidence and keep your employees focused and motivated
• use our interactive tools to assess the health of your business

 Access sources of business support

• maintain good lines of communication with your accountant and bank
• seek advice from your business adviser or from your local Business
Link –

 LAWS OF KARMA

• THE GREAT LAW -

"As you sow, so shall you reap". This is also known as the "Law of
Cause and Effect”. Whatever we put out in the Universe is what comes
back to us. If what we want is Happiness, Peace, Love, and
Friendship...Then we should BE Happy, Peaceful, Loving and a True
Friend.

• THE LAW OF CREATION -

Life doesn't just HAPPEN, it requires our participation. We are one with
the Universe, both inside and out. Whatever surrounds us gives us clues
to our inner state. Be yourself, and surround yourself with what you
want to have present in your Life.

• THE LAW OF HUMILITY -

What you refuse to accept will continue for you. If what we see is an
enemy, or someone with a character trait that we find to be negative,
then we ourselves are not focused on a higher level of existence.

• THE LAW OF GROWTH -

"Wherever you go, there you are”. For us to GROW in Spirit, it is we
who must change - and not the people, places or things around us. The
only given we have in our lives is OURSELVES and that is the only
factor we have control over. When we change who and what we are
within our heart our life follows suit and changes too.

 THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY

Whenever there is something wrong in my life, there is something
wrong in me. We mirror what surrounds us - and what surrounds us
mirrors us; this is a Universal Truth. We must take responsibility what is
in our life.

 THE LAW OF CONNECTION -

Even if something we do seems inconsequential, it is very important that
it gets done as everything in the Universe is connected. Each step leads
to the next step, and so forth and so on. Someone must do the initial
work to get a job done. Neither the first step nor the last are of greater
significance, as they were both needed to accomplish the task. Past -
Present – Future they are all connected...

 THE LAW OF FOCUS - You cannot think of two things at the
same time.

When our focus is on Spiritual Values, it is impossible for us to have
lower thoughts such as greed or anger.

 THE LAW OF GIVING AND HOSPITALITY -

If you believe something to be true, then sometime in your life you will
be called upon to demonstrate that particular truth. Here is where we put
what we CLAIM that we have learned, into actual PRACTICE.

 THE LAW OF HERE AND NOW -

Looking backward to examine what was, prevents us from being totally
in the here and now. Old thoughts, old patterns of behavior, old
dreams...Prevent us from having new ones.

 THE LAW OF CHANGE -

History repeats itself until we learn the lessons that we need to change
our path.

 THE LAW OF PATIENCE AND REWARD –

All Rewards require initial toil. Rewards of lasting value require patient
and persistent toil. True joy follows doing what we're supposed to be
doing, and waiting for the reward to come in on its own time.

 THE LAW OF SIGNIFICANCE AND INSPIRATION -

You get back from something whatever YOU have put into it. The true
value of something is a direct result of the energy and intent that is put
into it. Every personal contribution is also a contribution to the Whole.
Lack luster contributions have no impact on the Whole, nor do they
work to diminish it. Loving contributions bring life to, and inspire, the
Whole.

1. Self-purification and Self-development.
2. Individual growth and welfare.
3. Collective growth and welfare.
4. Minimum play of passion, jealousy, hatred.
5. Team spirit and Teamwork.
6. Autonomous management, minimum control and supervision.
7. Manager acts as a Mentor.
8. Self-motivation.
9. Perfection
10. All round happiness and prosperity.
11. Skills and values united.
12. Conflicts resolved by integration

 Vedanta philosophy in contemporary management:

The term ‘management’ as referred in this paper includes activities like
planning, organizing, directing, staffing, motivating coordinating,
budgeting, reporting and controlling that are carried out for achieving
the goals of the organization.

The purpose of management is to reach the goals of the
organization.

Vedanta:

The four Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva) are divided into two
parts. The beginning part (Vedapoorva), talks about rituals. Vedanta, the
concluding part reveals the ultimate knowledge on God, Universe and
Living Beings. Vedanta is a collection of many Upanishads (108 of them
are considered important).

The purpose of Vedanta is to guide the human beings to reach the goal
of life.
• Vedanta in Management:

‘Vedantic Management’ as opposed to the current management practices
that are popularly followed, hereafter referred as ‘Western
Management’.

The purpose of both Vedantic Management and Western Management is
identical, namely, reaching the goals of the organization. It is beyond the
scope of the organization and it is not proposed that the organization
change its goals for adopting Vedantic Management.

The basic contention of the Vedantic Management will be more
effective and efficient in achieving the goals of the organization, without
laying any constraints on the profit-motives of the organization.

Vedantic Management does not require the organization to follow any
ethical/ moral values. Corporate responsibility towards the society is not
a precondition for introducing Vedantic Management in an organization.

Vedantic Management is not biased towards any particular religion. It
does not involve introducing any religion/ belief system in the
management practices. Even after switching from Western Management
to Vedantic Management, the organization will continue to be secular.

• Source of knowledge:
Knowledge on management is gained by the author from his two
decades of managerial experience working in various capacities in many
leading industrial organizations.
In addition, he has learnt Upanishads, sitting by the side of his masters
(Swami Suddhananda, Swami Paramarthananda, Swami Guruparananda
and Swami Omkarananda).
It result of reflecting on the Western Management practices observed by
the author in the light of the Vedantic knowledge gained from these
enlightened spiritual masters.

• Conceptual difference
It is not possible to introduce Vedantic Management as a supplement or
add-on to the Western Management practices that are currently followed
in most of the organizations. The current management system has to be
completely replaced by the new system since it is fundamentally
different.
• Individual Goal Oriented:
Vedantic Management requires the organization to consider the personal
goals of the employees as the stepping-stones to achieve the goals of the
organization. This means the primary task of the organization is to
facilitate the fulfillment of the personal goals of the employees. Vedantic
Management assures that if this primary task is performed well the goals
of the organization will be achieved as a by-product.

Personal goals of the individual do not vary, as it is popularly believed.
Vedanta reveals that there is only one goal for all the human beings in
the world. Unfortunately, due to inadequate British educational system,
people have difficulty in comprehending this obvious fact. Vedanta
declares that the ONLY goal of all the human beings is to be happy all
the time without any trace of anxiety, worry and such negative emotions
ever (referred hereafter as Joyful Living). However, due to ignorance,
people assume various ‘personal goals’ like earning material prosperity,
job-satisfaction, fulfillment of self-esteem needs etc, with a hope that
these will lead them to Joyful Living. People at various stages in life
chase various things with a hope that the fulfillment of their expectations
will give them everlasting happiness. Most people do not realize that
they are chasing a mirage until they retire from job. It will be too late by
then.
Vedantic Management expects the organization to remind all their
employees that their ultimate goal in life is to be happy and then
dedicate the existence of the organization to fulfill this single goal.
According to Vedanta, the true purpose of any work is to help the human
being to reach the goal of Joyful Living. Therefore, the only purpose of
any organization is to serve as a stepping-stone for the employees to
reach their individual goal of being happy all the time.
Thus, Vedantic Management creates a symbiotic relationship between
the organization and its employees. The varying goals of the
organization (like profit maximization or increase in market share and
such) are tightly integrated with the achievement of the only individual
goal of the employee.
In addition, to teaching the employees that their only goal is happiness,
the organization has to teach them that the only way that they can
achieve their goal is to follow the prescription given in Vedanta.
Vedanta reveals that increment, promotion, incentives, paid vacation,
power, position, job-satisfaction, etc do not help the individual to reach
their goal. Vedanta prescribes Karma Yoga as a compulsory requirement
for reaching the goal. Therefore, the organization should employ the

services of enlightened spiritual masters and teach the employees how to
perform their work as Karma Yoga.
Once the employees is clear on his destination (Joyful Living) and the
means (Karma Yoga) he is sure to put his heart and soul in the work
leading to dramatic improvements in performance.
The organization has to institute appropriate systems (through re-
engineering) that will ensure that this dramatic improvement in
performance of all the employees at the individual level, lead to
achievement of the goals of the organization.
Thus, Individual Goal Oriented approach of Vedantic Management will
result in
effective and efficient achievement of the goals of the organization.

• Understanding the Cause and Effect relationship:
Western Management is under the wrong assumption that there is a
formula for success. The review meetings in all organization spend
enormous time and effort in analyzing the cause of failures. Success
stores are studied in order to emulate them to ensure success in future
endeavors. These practices are based on an erroneous assumption that
there is a linear relationship between cause (hard/ smart work) and effect
(success or failure).
Vedantic Management is based on the message from Bhagavad Gita that
human beings are responsible only for action and the results are given at
HIS discretion. This statement is proved repeatedly in our personal,
social, political and professional life. It is impossible to guarantee
success in any field with 100% certainty. Western Management assumes
that the managerial talent is inadequate in case of failures. Similarly, it
assumes that the success is the result of hard work, careful planning and
such mundane efforts. The fact remains that there is no apparent linear
relationship between efforts and results.
Recognizing this truth, Vedantic Management gives emphasize only on
the process in which work is carried out. It does not judge the
performance based on the results. Even if the results are in line with the
expectation, Vedantic Management requires the individuals to examine

their performance critically with a view to attain perfection. Vedanta
reveals that there will always be scope for improvements in performance
and the results will always be inadequate. Based on this revelation,
Vedantic Management guides the organization on a continuous path of
process improvement without paying too much attention on the results.
Results are important only for planning. It is wrong to judge the
performance based on results.

• Work of Human Personality:
Western Management is built on the wrong premise that a human being
is what he is, due to the environment. It assumes people can be shaped
with appropriate tools (like training programs and motivation
techniques). Vedanta reveals the fact that human personality consists of
five layers (physical, physiological, psychological, intelligential and
spiritual) that are grouped under three bodies (Physical, Subtle and
Causal). Only the physical body is developed to the current
stature during this lifetime. The subtle body, which is responsible for
skills, capabilities, emotions, intelligence, is developed over the
innumerable previous births. No one can significantly improve their
level of skills or intelligence in one lifetime.
Human beings are born countless times prior to the current birth and
they have acquired various skills, capabilities, emotional traits,
intelligence during these countless life experiences. Whatever be the
quantum of effort put in by the individual during the current lifetime, he
can improve his personality only marginally compared to the
accumulated stock of infinite lifetimes.
Vedantic Management does not expect the employees to change
significantly. It is aware improvements in any individual will always be
marginal. Therefore, jobs are modified to suit the employee rather than
waiting for the employee to become more skilled to meet the
expectations of the job.

Western Management ignores the truth regarding rebirth. As a result, it
differentiates employees as ‘high performer’ and ‘low performer’
wrongly. Vedantic Management does not prescribe any comparison
among employees. since intrinsically they are not comparable. It
recommends that everyone should compare only his or her own past
performance and continuously improve the existing skill sets,
intelligence etc.

• Self-motivation:
Western Management employs different techniques to motivate the
employees. Not all such efforts make any lasting effect on the employee.
This is due to the reason that the basic requirement of the employee is
not addressed. It is not that the organization does not correctly judge the
basic requirement of the employee. In most cases, even the employee
does not know what he wants.
Vedantic Management guides the employee to find out his/ her ultimate
goal of life and then shows a path, which will lead them to that goal. If
the employee gets clarity on the goal and the path, then the journey is
performed through self- motivation. It is ofcourse a difficult task to
educate the employee and give clarity on the goal and means. However,
when it is done, there is nothing more to be done to motivate the
employee. He will perform to the best of his ability without ever
requiring any prompting from the organization
Vedantic Management prescribes that the employees are compensated
at industry standards and they are provided with a work environment
that is conducive for performing Karma Yoga. This will ensure that the
employee is retained in the organization. In such an environment, the
performance of the individual will continuously increase, without any
expressed or implied demand. This phenomenon happens because as a
part of Karma Yoga, the employee is expected to increase his
performance continuously
Thus, the employee will work harder and smarter for reaching his
personal goal, which will result in continuous improvements in his

performance. There is no need to employ any motivation
tools/techniques at all.

• Role of leadership:
Western Management gives undue importance to the top management in
achieving the goals of the organization. Clarity in vision, appropriate
structuring of the organization, understanding of the market environment
and such functions are the responsibilities of the top management and
they continue to be so even under Vedantic Management. However,
Western Management expects the top management to lead the entire
organization towards the organizational goals.
Vedantic Management absolves the top management from this
responsibility of leading the organization. Once all other functions of the
top management are done to the best of their abilities, the organization is
set on motion by enabling each employee to perform Karma Yoga in the
workplace. Employees will then drive the organization in the chosen
path. They need not be inspired by their leader. They do the work
because they want to reach their personal goal of Joyful Living.
Under Vedantic Management, customer satisfaction is a by-product of
employee satisfaction. The employee is aware that if he does Karma
Yoga he will reach his personal goal. Karma Yoga requires that the
employee put his heart and soul in the work aiming at perfection all the
time. In addition, he is happy doing his job. This happiness spreads at all
directions and incidentally the customer is satisfied. As against pulling
the organization under Western Management, the entire team of
employees pushes the organization towards its goal. This results in far
superior performance. Vedantic Management enables the entire
organization move forward on its own momentum without expecting a
few individuals (top management) to do a Herculean task of pulling the
organization towards its goal.

• Re-engineering is an essential requirement for Vedantic
Management:

Employees will be self-motivated to perform work in an organization
where Vedantic Management is in vogue. However, in order to derive
benefit from such motivated work force, it is essential that the business
processes of the organization be reengineered. Vedantic Management
recommends Japanese way of re-engineering as opposed to following
BPR principles as practiced in USA.
• Employees work without leadership
Vedantic Management declares that if the organization provides
appropriate environment, employees will work without any supervision.
They will do their work to the best of their ability, putting their heart and
soul in the work if they are allowed to work in their area of swadharma
as described in Vedas.

 Benefits of introducing Vedantic Management in an organization:

• Continuous improvement in the way work
There will be continuous improvement in the way work is carried out
due to the practice of Karma Yoga. The organization will move towards
perfection in all its operations. Productivity will increase many fold.
Cycle Time will reduce dramatically.

• Eliminate all the job related stress
It will eliminate all the job related stress. There will be healthy
relationship between employees at all levels. People will start enjoying
their work and will look forward to more challenges.

• Employees can be retained longer in an organization
Employees can be retained longer in an organization. Attrition levels
will drastically come down, since the employees will realize that they
can achieve their personal goal by staying in an organization that follows
Vedantic Management.

• Employees will put in their heart and soul in the work

Since the employees will put in their heart and soul in the work, the
organization will be able to leverage on the hidden potential of the
employees.

• Strengthen the existing core competencies of the organization
The skill sets, capabilities and the level of maturity of the employees
will be enriched through their own self-motivated effort (of performing
Karma Yoga). This can be used to strengthen the existing core
competencies of the organization and for developing new markets/
products.

INDIAN ETHOS 1

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