Workshop on Indian Ethos Notes
Subject Overview
Workshop on Indian Ethos applies ancient Indian management philosophy to modern business — the history and relevance of Indian ethos in managerial practice, work ethos and value-based management, stress management techniques (meditation, yoga), and Indian systems of learning and corporate karma. A 2-credit core theory paper.
Subject at a glance
4
Units
26
Topics
2
Credits
4
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
4 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- History and relevance of Indian ethos
- principles practiced by Indian companies
- management lessons from the Vedas
- Mahabharata
- Bible
- Quran and Kautilya's Arthashastra
- ethics vs ethos
- Indian vs Western management
Basis
Values, duty (dharma)
Efficiency, profit
View of people
Whole person: body, mind, spirit
Resource, skills
Decisions
Intuition plus reason
Rational analysis
Goal
Welfare of all (sarva loka hitam)
Shareholder value
Study guide
This unit studies the relevance of Indian ethos, principles used by Indian companies, management lessons from the Vedas, Mahabharata, other scriptures and Kautilya's Arthashastra and a comparison with Western management. Look for a business that applies one of these principles.
- Meaning
- levels
- dimensions and steps of work ethos
- values for Indian managers
- relevance of value-based management in global change
- trans-cultural human values
- secular vs spiritual values
- value system in work culture
- 1Clear values
- 2Lead by example
- 3Discipline and dedication
- 4Teamwork and respect
- 5Excellence as duty
Yogah karmasu kaushalam
Study guide
You study work ethos, its levels and dimensions, values for Indian managers, value-based management, trans-cultural human values and secular versus spiritual values. Reflect on your own work values.
- Meaning
- types and causes of workplace stress
- meditation and its importance in management
- brainstorming and brain stilling
- yoga significance
- contemporary leadership approaches — the Joint Hindu Family Business and leadership qualities of the Karta
Meditation
Calms the mind
Yoga
Physical and mental balance
Brain stilling
Quiet reflection before decisions
Pranayama
Breath control
Balance
Work, family, self
Study guide
You study workplace stress, its causes and types, meditation, brain stilling, yoga and contemporary leadership approaches such as the joint family business and the Karta's leadership. Try a short daily meditation or breathing routine.
- Gurukul system of learning
- laws of karma (creation, humility, growth, responsibility, connection)
- Nishkama Karma
- corporate karma meaning and guidelines for good corporate karma
Creation
We create our outcomes
Humility
Accept what is before changing it
Growth
Change yourself first
Responsibility
Own your actions
Connection
Every action links to others
Nishkama karma
Act without attachment to results
Study guide
You study the Gurukul system, the laws of karma, Nishkama Karma and corporate karma. Think about how responsibility and humility show up in leadership.
Why Workshop on Indian Ethos Matters
Indian ethos adds value-based and cultural perspectives to management, and stress management is valuable in any demanding career.
How to Prepare for Workshop on Indian Ethos
- Reflect personally on each value and principle.
- Compare Indian and Western approaches with examples.
- Practise one stress-management technique regularly.
Workshop on Indian Ethos: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nishkama Karma?
Nishkama Karma is the principle of performing one's duty without attachment to the results, taught in the Bhagavad Gita.