Winning the Corporate Kurukshetra: Strategies from the Mahabharata"

The Mahabharata is an epic that dates back thousands of years and is considered one of the greatest literary works of Hindu mythology. It tells the story of the battle between the Kauravas and Pandavas, two branches of a royal family who were vying for control of the throne of Hastinapura. The story is not just about a battle, but it is also about the complex relationships between family members, friends, and allies, and the consequences of their actions. The characters in the Mahabharata are multidimensional, and their motivations, desires, and conflicts are explored in great detail. With 100,000 verses, the Mahabharata is the longest epic poem ever written, and it covers a wide range of topics such as politics, warfare, religion, philosophy, and morality. The epic is an unparalleled source of wisdom and knowledge, and it offers many valuable lessons for modern managers to improve their work efficiency and effectiveness. The following are some of the key lessons that managers can learn from the Mahabharata:

Good strategy: One of the key lessons that the Mahabharata offers to modern managers is the importance of having a good strategy in place.  The Kauravas boasted a vast army, led by experienced and competent generals. They were determined to crush any opposition from the considerably smaller army of the Pandavas, who had only 7 divisions against the 11 divisions of the Kauravas, along with one strategist: Lord Krishna. Despite the odds being in favor of the Kauravas, it was Lord Krishna's masterful strategy that inspired the Pandavas to achieve a decisive victory. This shows that with limited resources, an intelligent and well-thought-out strategy can enable even the underdog to conquer the mighty opponent. Without Lord Krishna's master plan, the Pandavas would never have achieved the victory they did. Lord Krishna uplifted Arjun's spirits whenever he faced insurmountable challenges, uncovered ways to overcome the formidable challenge from Karna, and helped Bheem conquer opponents at regular intervals. Winning a mighty battle requires the right set of skills, tools, and attitude.

Preparation: During the 12-year exile period, the Pandavas knew that war was inevitable. They had to avenge the Kauravas once the exile period was over. The Pandavas didn't waste this time in idleness, instead, they started upgrading their skills and keeping themselves fit for the war ahead. Arjun, the ace archer, worshipped the gods and added many magical weapons (Divyastras) to his arsenal. The fruitful and victorious encounters with enemies during the exile period boosted the morale of Bheem considerably. The Pandavas equipped themselves with different skills during the most trying times with fierce determination and commitment. When the opportune moment came, they were able to put these mystical skills to effective use and win the epic battle decisively. This is a valuable lesson for modern managers. Proper preparation is key to success in any endeavor. Just as the Pandavas upgraded their skills and kept themselves fit during the exile period, modern managers should continually upgrade their knowledge and skills to keep up with the ever-changing business world. This preparation will help them to face any challenge that may come their way with determination and commitment.

Strengths & Weaknesses:   During the battle of Mahabharata, Krishna had the big picture in mind right from the beginning. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of his team members as well as his opponents. To defeat Dronacharya, he used the name of an elephant called Ashwathama, and to overcome the stronger and mightier Karna, he asked everyone to attack him simultaneously. Fair and unfair games were played with ruthless precision in order to secure the victory. In modern times, playing your cards intelligently while keeping the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents in mind is a key aspect of strategic management. You need to have a set of formidable skills, but you must also keep a close eye on the possible reactions of your opponents. As the saying goes, "if the elephant stops every time a dog barks in the street, it will never reach its destination." To conquer the space that you want at any cost, you need to use every trick in the book and leverage your strengths while carefully assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your opponents.

Secrecy: If you want to emerge victorious, you must learn to keep your mouth shut and protect your secrets at all costs. Revealing all your strengths and weaknesses will only give your opponents an edge over you, making it easier for them to plan their moves and defeat you. The Pandavas were well aware of this fact and kept their most powerful weapon, Ghatotkach, a secret until the opportune moment. Ghatotkach, the half-rakshasa son of Bheema and Hidimbaa, was a force to be reckoned with in battle. But the Pandavas kept him hidden until the Kauravas broke the rules of war and attacked under the cover of darkness. That was the moment when Ghatotkach was called upon to unleash his fury upon the unsuspecting enemy. Being half-rakshasa, Ghatotkach was most powerful at night and wreaked complete havoc upon the Kaurava army, killing millions of their soldiers. Even great warriors like Droṇacharya and Karna were left feeling helpless in his wake. It was only when Karna used his divine weapon that Ghatotkach was finally killed. But not before he had saved Arjuna's life by sacrificing his own. When his massive body fell upon the enemy camp, it crushed an entire Akshauhini of the enemy military, leaving them reeling in shock and dismay. The lesson to be learned here is that sometimes, keeping your most powerful weapon hidden until the opportune moment can be the key to victory. So, keep your secrets close to your chest, and unleash your full force only when the time is right.

Unity & Focus:   Five brothers defeating a hundred might seem like an impossible feat, but it was their unity that made it possible. The Kaurava army lacked synergy, with each great general fighting individual battles on the battlefield. Meanwhile, the Pandavas acted as a single, cohesive team directed by a shared goal. By participating in the decision-making process and leveraging their unique skills, they created a synergistic effect that propelled them toward victory. As S. Sethia puts it, "it was not about the numbers; it was about the unity."  One of the Pandavas, Arjuna, exemplifies the power of focus. He displays a level of concentration that allows him to excel as an archer. Whether it's shooting an arrow at a bird by only looking at its eyes or piercing the rotating fish's eye based on the image cast in a water urn, Arjuna accomplishes every task at hand with ease. He is a true super-achiever, unfazed by the odds he faces on the battlefield. It is clear that focus is the key to unlocking one's true potential and achieving greatness, just as Arjuna did.

Networking:   The Pandavas suffered a great loss in the cunning dice game where they lost their kingdom, wealth, and even Draupadi. To add insult to injury, they had to endure 13 years of painful exile. However, amidst all this adversity, they displayed remarkable resilience by sticking together and staying close to their allies and supporters. They knew the importance of keeping communication lines open, and they did just that, which eventually helped them garner new alliances. Their strong bond with their supporters eventually paid off when they were able to rally the troops and defeat the Kauravas in the epic battle. This victory would not have been possible if they had not remained united and forged new relationships during their dark days. This episode from the Mahabharata teaches us a valuable lesson - if you find yourself alone, without any allies or support, you need to be extra cautious and avoid controversies. As demonstrated by Abhimanyu's tragic fate, being talented alone is not enough if you are not protected by a strong support system. Therefore, it is important to nurture your relationships and build a reliable network of friends and supporters, who will stand by you in times of need.

Ethical path:  The Kauravas always followed the path of dishonesty, which ultimately led to their doom. They fixed the game with the help of their cunning uncle Shakuni and killed the sons of the Pandavas at night, which was strictly not allowed at that time. On the other hand, the Pandavas always adhered to ethical principles since their birth and played the game with honesty. When they lost everything, they gave everything to the Kauravas and went to the forest to stay in exile, even when they knew that it was given to them by unethical means. Therefore, they came back and asked for their kingdom back, but Duryodhan refused, and thus the Mahabharat took place. The Pandavas were even prepared to accept a minuscule portion of their lost kingdom, but an arrogant Duryodhan put this proposal in the dustbin. It was the unethical path chosen by the Kauravas that led to the epic battle. Managers who follow unethical means and manipulate books have paid a heavy price in the recent past - companies like Enron and Satyam Computers do not exist now. The moral of the lesson is that companies that don’t follow the ethical path don’t survive in the long run. The unethical and destructive path silently endorsed by Dhritarashtra was also responsible for the down fall of Kauravas. Sadly, Dhritarashtra had an obsessive attachment to his evil son, which led to his downfall. He permitted the Pandavas to proceed to Varnavat, where they were persuaded to stay at a house constructed of inflammable materials by his son's evil designs. He allowed a deceptive game of dice that made the Pandavas lose their part of the kingdom. In his presence, Draupadi, his daughter-in-law, was insulted in his royal court. Despite Bhishma, Vidur, Krishna, and several others' attempts to persuade him to rein in the unbridled ambition of his son Duryodhana, he refused to listen. The result was a terrible war that led to the devastation of the kingdom. CEOs who promote their sycophants without assessing the overall welfare of an organization meet a similar fate.

Commitment & Perseverance:  The leaders who sided with the Kauravas, such as Bhishma and Dronacharya, knew the consequences of going to war with the Pandavas, led by Lord Krishna. They were aware that they and their families would be decimated. Despite this, they remained loyal to their king until the end and did not rock the boat. They showed fierce commitment and unwavering loyalty to the king who had provided for them all along. It would have been easy for them to switch sides, but they chose to welcome death voluntarily, showing respect and loyalty to their own king until the end. This is an important lesson for employees who job-hop frequently. The grass may always look greener on the other side, but such whimsical decisions can diminish an employee's worth. Perseverance and loyalty to the customer and company pay off in the end. The Pandavas face numerous setbacks in their lives, surviving the insidious designs of their Kaurava cousins in Varanavat. After losing their kingdom and wealth in an unfair game of dice, they spend twelve years in exile in the forests, followed by a year in hiding in King Virata's palace. When a peace proposal is discussed with the Kauravas, Yudhishthira offers to settle the dispute by accepting ownership of only five villages, but Duryodhana rejects even this proposal. The Pandavas' tenacity in bouncing back in the face of adversity is worth emulating..

Diplomacy: Is it fair to use diplomacy to win a battle? The Mahabharata depicts several instances where characters resort to diplomatic strategies, especially in life-threatening situations. The Pandavas, for instance, were aware that their teacher Dronacharya had vowed to end his life if his son Aswathama died in the battle. Dronacharya was an incredibly powerful obstacle and posed a challenge on a daily basis during the war. Therefore, the Pandavas had to resort to diplomatic tactics to end the battle. They played a clever trick by spreading the rumor that Ashvathama had died. Despite Dronacharya's intelligence, he sensed the trick and asked Yudhishthir, who was the most righteous among all the Pandavas and had vowed to never speak a lie. However, the Pandavas had to kill Dronacharya, and Yudhishthir answered for an elephant named Ashwathama that was killed by Bheem. His response was, "Ashwathama has died," which technically wasn't a lie. This is how Yudhishthir used diplomacy without breaking his vow and Dronacharya was killed. In corporate battles, it's crucial to use diplomatic tactics, employing clever strategies and communication to good effect. Companies are aware of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking, yet they advertise their products repeatedly, using clever tricks to lure consumers. They know that no beauty cream can genuinely bring a glow to the face, yet they use persuasive tactics to sell their products. Therefore, it's important to play the game diplomatically while keeping in mind the moral implications of one's actions.

Leadership:  Leadership is a crucial aspect of any organization, and the Mahabharata provides an excellent source of examples that can be applied to modern management practices. One example of good leadership can be seen in Yudhishthira's management of his team of brothers, who together form the Pandava army. Yudhishthira is known for his just and wise leadership style, which inspires loyalty and respect in his followers. He is calm and composed, even in the most challenging of situations, and always puts his team's interests ahead of his own. In contrast, Duryodhana, the leader of the Kaurava army, is known for his arrogant and selfish behavior. He treats his followers with disdain and does not hesitate to use force to maintain his power. This approach results in the Kaurava army being despised by their subjects and ultimately leads to their downfall. In the corporate world, leaders who behave like Yudhishthira are more likely to inspire their teams and achieve success. They are fair and just in their dealings, consider the interests of all stakeholders, and are willing to take calculated risks to achieve their goals. Such leaders inspire loyalty and respect in their teams, which in turn helps to build a strong and cohesive organizational culture. On the other hand, leaders who behave like Duryodhana are likely to breed discontent and mistrust within their teams. They are often short-sighted and focused on their own interests, rather than those of the organization as a whole. This approach can lead to poor decision-making, lower employee morale, and a lack of trust between management and staff. Thus, the Mahabharata provides an excellent source of examples of both good and bad leadership styles. Modern managers can learn from these examples and strive to emulate the positive qualities of leaders like Yudhishthira while avoiding the pitfalls of leaders like Duryodhana. By doing so, they can build strong and successful organizations that inspire loyalty and respect among their teams.