India has a culture that goes back more than 5000 years. The country has weathered many a storm, whether it be invasions, alien rule, colonial ambitions and a post independance chaos. The Indus valley civilization, along with the Nile Valley and Mesapatomia civilizations, 1/n

were far ahead of their time in the areas of management, planning and organization.

The problem with Indian Management Education and the Management style is that it does not take into account the Indian ethos. 2/n

Traditional wisdom says that Asians in general, and Indians in particular are driven by emotions than by reason, but the corollary is true for Westerners, basically the Americans, who developed the current management system. 3/n

Indians attach importance to 'Karma' rather than 'Karmabhala'. For me personally,it is doing a thing correctly that matters,& what I get out of it materialistically is secondary. Doesnt mean that the rewards are not important, but just that rewards are not THE MOST IMPORTANT. 4/n

Try explaining ‘Nishkama Karma’ to any Westerner, or to any young Indian! (I am a great believer of Nishkama Karma and used to talk about it incessantly to those who are mentored by me. 5/n

I can see they were not fully convinced, especially during the past 3 years when I had a professional set back. But just recently, one of them, who was desperately trying for a job since the beginning of the year, but missing out on a few offers for absolutely no reason, 6/n

got a call out of the blue from Tata Group, & the whole one week process ended with him getting a good offer. Candidate has 4 years experience & is known for his work ethic and value system. 7/n

His brother texted me saying, “This is the reward for his ‘Nishkama Karma’. I just smiled)

In short we are not work machines, but people with more emotions than a normal western professional. So any management theory has to take this into account for it to be successful. 8/n

To illustrate it further one doesnt have to look beyond the sports field. The Great Dane, Morten Frost Hansen , the World Badminton Champion in 1980's was in awe of the subtle things Prakash Padukkone can do on a Badminton Court. 9/n

Normal coaching techniques cannot explain the sublime artistry of VVS Laxmans' batting.

Though we have slid down the slope, Western hockey teams never tire of eulogizing the wizardry of Indian hockey players and have failed to replicate them. 10/n

This wrist work and self expression in the sports field is indicative of the Indian psyche that is creative, artistic, emotional.

Contrast Laxmans or Kohlis batting with that of Mathew Hayden or any of the current English Openers, and you know what I am talking about 11/n

Even the stance of any non Asian player is so stiff, while the Asians show lot of suppleness.

Westerners try to find a logical reason for everything. If things are not logical, then it is not acceptable to them. 12/n

While Indians understand and accept that there are many things which cannot be logically and rationally explained. The irrational plays an important part in our life.

This is the reason for so much strife and acrimony in our organizations, 13/n

and why they are not as effective as they should be.

It is a tragedy that a land renowned for great thinkers, cannot find a few who can develop a management style that takes into account the values, ethos, attitudes, aptitudes and culture of Indians. 14/n

Or Should we, the Management and other Professionals in this TL take the lead? n/n