Relevence of Gandhism in the Corporate World

- Dr. Vijetha Shetty

Narrating an incident sometime ago, a young aspirant management graduate in an interview was asked two questions. One if he knew who Gandhi was and second, his opinion about relevance of Gandhian principles in business. Mahatma Gandhi is regarded as the father of nation was the prompt answer for the first. The answer to the second was negative, one cannot do business without corruption and Gandhian principles are irrelevant in today's business. This answer disillusioned my conscience as a teacher of commerce and thought that it is time to put the thinking cap on and decide where we want to take our young India. Towards corruption.. and celebrate doomsday in future or. imbibe certain values and principles and keep India shinning.

India can shine provided the people are educated with the rich Indian culture, heritage and philosophy espoused by some of the leaders in the past. With a target of 10% and above growth rate in the GDP, the need of the hour is to adopt a set of principles and values that could give an impetus to overall growth and development of the country. Certain established principles followed in businesses are myopic in view. One needs to understand that Manipulations don't work, good management comes from dedication.

One of the ways of good management is by understanding and incorporating Gandhian thoughts. The ideals of Gandhi have profound insights into conditions of individuals' in socio-economic and political life. Now the question arises, if doctrine of Gandhism is relevant in the so called 'corporate world'. It is imperative to change the paradigm on which the business is based rather than being submissive to the leadership values and models of the West.

To begin with Mahatma Gandhi has been crowned as management guru of the 20th century by the Harvard School of Business Management. The west has recognized the Power of Simplicity. It is time that some of the Gandhian principles are incorporated by mangers at the corporate level in the conduct of business:

Ø Principle of Involvement: Involving oneself and together getting things done.

Ø Principle of Effective communication: Practice what is been preached by using both verbal and nonverbal means of communication.

Ø Principle of Motivation: Inspiring people towards common and unified goal.

Ø Principle of distinction: Hate the sin and not the sinner.

Ø Principle of clarity: Clarity in vision and of goals.

Ø Principle of charity: Giving back to the society for overall development.

Ø Productively and intelligently using available resources.

Ø Principle of egalitarianism and empowerment of all.

Ø Principle of being compassionate and able to sensitise the feeling of others in the business.

Ø Principle of integrity and truthfulness in doing business.

In its pursuit to become the super economic power, India must adopt Gandhian principles and develop its own successful model of doing business. In a typical Mumbai istyle Dadagiri or Bribegiri would not work but Gandhigiri will certainly do in a long run.

Dr. Vijetha S. Shetty
Head, Dept. of Commerce
, Valia College, Mumbai