Gandhi, Obama's Inspiration!
In India, however, a quote from Gandhi is seen dangling ever so often in shops, offices or kept framed in executive suits. If one were not told, one would imagine that it is a gem from some management or marketing guru. Let's take a look at it:
"A customer is the most important visitor on our premises
He is not dependent on us
We are dependent on him
He is not an interruption on our work
He is the purpose of it
He is not an outsider on our business
He is the part of it
We are not doing him a favor by serving him
He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so"
Who would believe that the above quote is from an apostle of non-violence, who was gunned down by a Hindu fanatic! Of course, he came from the traditionally shrewd and enterprising Gujarati business community. People like me, who are blessed to have seen him in flesh and blood, can testify to the aura around him, which made our elders follow him and make what ever sacrifices he demanded in the cause of India's freedom. I believe that Gandhi was as much a Corporate Guru, apart from what he is known to the world for. Below are some lines I penned for a newspaper, in August 2000 :
"Oh, how we frown when a customer drops in , when we are in midst of an 'important' meeting! "The customer is not an interruption to your business, but the very reason for it.". Advice from Management guru Peter Drucker, or from the Father of our Nation ? Well, these are words from the greatest leader , manager and motivator of the twentieth century, viz. our very own Mahatma Gandhi. Forgotten by us, but still a source of inspiration for the likes of Nelson Mandela and now happily being gradually discovered by the corporate world.
Gandhiji had the uncanny knack of demystifying great philosophical, political and social concepts, and turning them into household words. His clarity of thought and simplicity of language, as compared to his lofty goals never ceases to bewilder me. This helped the common man , indeed the entire nation to galvanize as one non-violent army, armed only with the mantras of 'Non-violence', 'Peaceful non-cooperation', 'Buy local', 'Business is trusteship' .One goal, one team, one focus , one methodology for all to follow, all without the benefits of today's electronic and instant worldwide communications and seminars! It would be any CEOs dream, today.
Our Managers of today should contemplate, whether the buzz words and jargon they use, e.g. 'benchmarking', 'zero defect', 'customer value', 'corporate citizenship', etc. are at all understood and internalized by their employees. Similarly, they should also compare the efficacy of their symbolic acts towards corporate identity; with for example Gandhijis simple dress, living in harijan ('untouchables') colonies etc., to suit his message. As also, crisscrossing the country by rail to weld together an image of a nation. Hopefully, our management schools would take up the study of Gandhi and his methods, some of which possibly may even today stir the Indian psyche and make business more relevant and in tune to our needs. Incidentally, western management academics are culling Shakespeare for discovering eternal truths expressed in his inimitable pithy style, which may be relevant to the corporate world. Both in their own ways embody some eternal and universal truths. Oh, how we frown when a customer drops in , when we are in midst of an 'important' meeting! "The customer is not an interruption to your business, but the very reason for it." . Advice from Management guru Peter Drucker, or from the Father of our Nation ? Well, these are words from the greatest leader , manager and motivator of the twentieth century, viz. our very own Mahatma Gandhi. Forgotten by us, but still a source of inspiration for the likes of Nelson Mandela and now happily being gradually discovered by the corporate world.
Finally, absolutely fed up with our Bombay Municipal Corporation, I would like to quote from Sunday Times of India, October 9, 1994 an excerpt from Gandhi: "If I were a taxpayer within the jurisdiction of a local board or a municipality, I would refuse to pay a single pie by way of additional taxation and advise others to do likewise, unless the money we pay is returned fourfold." Shades of Thoreau! Will my fellow citizens and the city fathers heed Gandhi's words and wake up before it is too late?"
Let's hope that Obama really meant what he said! It would augur well for the world.
Published by Shyam Saksena
Electrical and electronics engineer. Retired as Director of German MNC, Siemens. Thanks to assignments from my company, I could savor 25 countries and get to know their people and culture. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentSo why was such a great man killed by a 'Hindu fanatic'? what was the reason for this 'Hindu fanatic' to kill him? How did the fanatic Hindus worship his non-violence and elevate him to demi-god status, so that finally they could kill him and earn notoriety? What was Gandhi then, an 'uber-peaceful Hindu' ?
All you hypocrites do is eulogize Gandhi? but do you have the courage to listen to what his 'fanatic Hindu' killer said about it? Do you have the courage to post it, Gandhi lovers? Or we should wait for Americans to tell us hos much we should worship Gandhi, like everything else.
by the way, the name of his 'killer' was Nathuram Godse, a person who loved his country dearly. By his act, he was also killed.Like gandhi's pet child Nehru, he did not get prime minsitership.
Instead of sucking up to your american readers, selling them dope about Gandhi, try to put things in persepectibe, 'Gandhi fanatic'
There is much food for thought in this article. I agree with you. I hope Barack means what he says concerning many issues. I am still undecided about any of the candidates. Thank you for sharing this with us.
A tidbit: I snagged a job interview for a position I had zero experience and no college degree fro, by using a little Gandhi image (a t-shirt ad I had turned into a small magnet for the frig) I added it to a letter from a friend and photocopied it. The quote was: Whatever you do may seem insignificant but it is very important that you do it. I explained the small thing I did that promoted the thank you letter. "My psychiatrist wants to meet you...." she said in the letter. I had to quickly write back to my friend to tell her the idea I used was not my own, but I acted on something I once read. But it was Gandhi's refrigerator reminder that prompted me to do something seemingly insignificant. I could tell within minutes of starting to read "Audacity of Hope" that Obama is perfect to lead a diverse nation of citizens. He is not the type to hang a poster of Gandhi to get the Indian vote. Not at all. He knows "we are more alike than we are different." Knows.
Has been a long time since I read anything Gandhi but I am sure I read the business quote before. Of course Obama was inspired by Gandhi. So was Dr. King who gave credit to Gandhi for "passive resistance". I no longer recall the exact King quote, which included Jesus (Christ). Clinton attacks, attacks, attacks and how does Obama react? Passively quiet or quietly polite. He does not simply "talk the talk, he walks the walk". "Be the change you want to see in the world" is many Obama supporters motto. Obama wants to stop the dirty politics, he refrains (mostly) from resorting to dirty politics. He never fails to thank the "customers" (voters) for their votes, his supporters for their work; he never fails to congratulate Clinton on her wins; asks his audience to give applause to her when she loses, because "she works very hard on her campaign". What does she do in return: Shame on you Barack Obama! (she forgot to mention her WI and NH mailings...) as if he were a child to be scolded.
I must admit I am surprised to learn that Gandhi was so knowledgable about the ways of business. But, then, when I consider, it does make sense. A real leader is a real leader, no matter the quest at hand. And a leader of wisdom and compassion can often see the simple truth buried beneath complex social concepts and explain that truth to others in a profound, yet simple, way, that often proves inspirational. That is the hallmark of a great leader - what he says makes a great deal of sense.
Well done, thank you.
Like all politicians, these are also very cynical people. Angels when wooing voters and devils, when they are in power. In spite of so called democracy, it is a pity , that the voters have no influence to make them stick to their promises!
Dear Saksenaji, Obama and any US leaders are no match for Gandhi. Chanting Gandhi for the sake of chanting may be the order of the day. I remember having read recently that some presidential candidates have gone to the extent of terror that if terrorism does not end they can even try the nuclear option on countries sponsoring terrorism. Another candidate would threaten that if terrorism does not end they would try the option of bombing the Muslim holy places. How dare they take the name of Gandhi? When Goerge Bush fought the last presidential election, his rival from democratiy party projected himself as the anti-war candidate. But then ironically he commented that if he were the presdient he would have sent even more forces to Iraq! Do not fall a prey to such coloured jackals as we Indians call such people.PREM CHAND SAHAJWALA
This is a wonderful article, Shyamji! I am an admirer of Mahatma Ghandi--and of anyone who believes in peaceful resolutions. I had not known of his business acumen until this moment. I, too, hope that Obama means what he says because he could very well be the next US president.
Your articles are positive and inspiring for me. Thank you