Upanishadic Principles to Lead and Succeed in Business
Ancient texts like the Upanishads show the path of enlightenment, wherein one can connect with humanity apart from the theological discourse of unifying one’s soul with the Lord. Focusing on the philosophy described and established in this Vedic literature helps one gain insights into how it can effectively be applied to Business ethics and enhance the leadership qualities of CEOs.
1. The basis of leadership: “Everything becomes dear for the sake of self”
Serving your customer becomes your paramount duty. Bringing in genuineness in service is the extension of your business philosophy. Maintaining integrity while adhering to deadlines with high-quality work enables you to align values and aspirations.
Excerpts of verses taken from the Upanishads to explain the connection of Business practices:
2. Desire drives creation: “He desired: May I become many.”
Innovation breeds from the desire to excel and expand horizons. The power in this vision will require intent and action to fortify the desire. The purpose propels to have set goals becomes a driver for motivation to achieve them.
3. Strength in unity: “ May we be protected together…may we work together with great energy.”
Having collaboration helps create a synergy uniting people and creating formidable teams. Creating relationships can lead optimised work environment and productive work. Building a strong team that can deliver results makes a business successful every time.
4. Focus on the process: “You have the right to perform duties, but not to the fruits thereof.”
Business often gets trapped in its results-oriented policies, one must also understand that all efforts and hard work may not lead to the desired outcomes. Yet we must continue to forge our way forward and perform our duties while not obsessing over the outcomes.
5. Detachment builds resilience: “Enjoy through renunciation.”
Being attached to the past glory of your establishment can make you delusional. Neither success nor failure should be held close. Moving further and allocating focus on the long term can allow you to build strength and weather any turmoil.
6. Build Ethical wealth: “Do not desire wealth, desire righteousness.”
Running after profits without principles will not sustain for long. Ethical values help build a strong reputation and foster client trust better. A legacy can be achieved with humility and ethical conduct. Understand the purpose of maintaining standards and valuing relationships more than monetary benefits.
7. Knowledge is the wealth capital: “He who knows both knowledge and ignorance together.”
The pursuit of knowledge should be an ongoing process. Staying updated and evolving with the times while maintaining industry standards. Acquiring new skills and adapting to the changes in the field enables to increase its value of the business and engage well with competitors.
8. Diversify with a core: “That which exists is one without a second.”
When you have built a business with a strong core identity, the need to expand and diversify organically should become an inherent quality. Stagnation can make the establishment obsolete. Venturing into newer avenues enables growth and sustenance.
9. Serve others to grow yourself: “By serving others selflessly, the Self is purified and illuminated.”
Social responsibility in generating value for the customer can enable loyalty and trust. Moving away from self-service to serving others will ensure the growth of the business in several ways. Openness to receiving feedback and understanding different perspectives while embracing various viewpoints can enhance customer relationships.
10. Utilise the power of silence: “Words & mind return, unable to grasp it.”
Work on reflecting on the business processes while finding ways to explore and transcend the limitations posed before you to conquer them. Using full potential can help push boundaries and take on opportunities head-on without fear.
Takeaway
Reading the few translated verses may not give the deep meaning behind those words of wisdom. But philosophers have conducted an in-depth study on Vedic literature and found that even after so many centuries, the principles can be applied to every aspect of life, including businesses.