Management Lessons from Swami Vivekananda

If we are to name one great Indian who was the prime mover of world thinking on the rich heritage of India in the last 150 years the choice falls on Swami Vivekananda .There can be no other example of a vision so powerfully presented with so wide and deep an impact on humanity as that of the Swami who sowed the seeds of globalization over a century ago. The Swami by inspiration of the highest order and his intellectual acumen brought out ideas and principles many of which are of relevance to management. In this context his words implying globalization are worth remembering. These are reproduced below:

"I am thoroughly convinced, that no individual or nation can live by holding itself apart from the community of others, and whenever such an attempt has been made under false ideas of greatness, policy or holiness- the result has always been disastrous to the secluding one"

In this endeavour he firmly believed that India could enrich the world considerably. He said:
"Give and take is the law; and if India wants to raise herself once more, she brings out her treasures and throws them broadcast among the nations of the earth, and in return be ready to receive what others have to give her".

The Swami skillfully marketed the quintessence of the Vedic thoughts all over the globe. This was his vision and mission. Though he never used the term management or globalization, he was the management icon par excellence of the 19th century .He visualized the need for an inter-dependent world far ahead of the times and a global role for India.

Vivekananda was a production management wizard. He was both an entrepreneur and manager of the highest caliber. To him Knowledge was a product the nature and content of which he understood with remarkable thoroughness and precision. His product was a body of sacred thoughts assimilated from the works and experience of the Great Masters and scriptures of this country. His mission was dissemination of vital Vedic knowledge which alone could ensure sustained harmony and progress of humanity.

India was dear to his heart. He was an excellent PRO who projected the image of India globally in the most elegant manner. He discharged the role of the Global Ambassador of India decades before diplomatic relations and foreign missions were thought of even by advanced nations.
The Swami disseminated knowledge with effective communication skills in a territory with large market potential. He realized that for sustained activity organization was necessary He learnt this from America which he openly acknowledged He demonstrated his conceptual skill visualizing the entire world as one integrated entity fused together by the concept of universal brotherhood.
He identified the market for the product in the Western hemisphere. Through excellent knowledge management skills he marketed the product globally. His photographic memory, quick assimilation, confidence, integrity, humility, fearlessness, courage, positive thinking and oratory were great assets which every leader should have.

His address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in September 1893 embracing the 7000 strong elitist assembly of eminent men and women as '˜Sisters and Brothers of America' created an unprecedented and lasting impact. The thunderous non stop applause for over two minutes and the phenomenon of every one in the audience rising to his or her feet giving a grand ovation was an acknowledgement of his powerful communication and oratorical skills. He completely relied on the tool and strength of spirituality and affirmed that India would be a world leader in disseminating knowledge in the future. His prophecy has come true now and we are all witness to this event of India emerging as a world power.

. In a short span of 39 years, reflected in his maxim "better a moment of glow than a lifetime of smoke" he unleashed a tidal wave of energy in the form of vibrant thoughts surging forth with a force that could smash stars and grind galaxies. The Swami revealed entrepreneurial traits by his decision and venture to propagate his Master's Teachings most convincingly single handed in a strange land thousands of miles away from home undertaking strenuous voyages overcoming severe obstacles often with no financial resources. He showed remarkable courage and capacity in crisis management while facing situations like the one when he lost all travel documents and letters of introduction to important personalities and organizers of the World Parliament meet when he landed in America.

He epitomized the essential ingredients of good quality leadership; These are vision and mission, value system, communication persuasive skills , knowledge of minute details, knowing something about everything including science subjects, living by example and above all surviving temptations and demonstrating courage to over come all obstacles,.

Vivekananda left an impact on this globe with ideas and ideals which if translated into action by world leaders could transform a nation steeped in poverty to glory and prosperity. His emphasis on serving others and concern for the poor is beautifully stated in his own words.
"This life is short. The vanities of the world are transient He alone lives who lives for others. The others are more dead than alive".

This statement has relevance to social responsibilities of businessmen.
He believed in the power of youth and exhorted them to be strong to build a new India and provided the foundation for building manpower. In his words
"We want young men and women with muscles of iron and nerves of steel
He urged workers to realize the dignity of labor and have a missionary zeal.
Management profession will benefit and CEOs in particular do well to learn from his vision and mission. Some valuable lessons and underlying principles derived from his talks and works are summarized below:
Individual human excellence is at the root of all progress. Spiritual strength is the most valuable strength for leaders who must have global vision. Power of thought is immense; facts are to be respected and marshaled. Self management is a precondition for success and meditation, positive thinking and yoga are tools. Strengthening the individual will make the organization strong. Core competence has to be developed with spiritual strength. Character is vital for progress. Business has social responsibility. Human mind has great potential and it can generate a reservoir of energy which has to be conserved and used for good causes. India will command respect for its treasure of knowledge.

Vivekananda firmly believed in the systems approach to human development by integrating the subsystems of the body, mind and intellect. His stress on individual excellence with the tools of self management gives proof of his concept of human resources management of the highest order.

The Swami moved like an angel in human form sweetly combining qualities of moral excellence, a piercing intellect and a large heart with concern for the entire humanity and for the uplift of the poor. Organizations failing to learn and which flouted the quintessence of the Swami's principles have landed in great crisis. Downfall of giant corporations in recent times can be attributed to neglect of these fundamental principles which were very dear to the Swami's heart. The stock market crash and the world recession are due to the greed of CEOs who apparently have become Chief Embezzlement Officers. In this context the craze of organizations to create conditions for stress and anger and then evolve stress management and anger management training programs which now assume the garb of super-specialties in the profession of management becomes redundant.

Long live the Swami's thoughts and the power of inspiration bestowing benefits to all. May his inspiration enhance and enrich our contribution to society by helping us to manage our resources better and productively?