CONTROL YOUR OFFICE TO WIN THE WAR
– Radhakrishnan Pillai
(This weekly column will explore the relevance and application of Principles and Strategies of Chanakya as discussed in his 3rd Century BC treatise, Kautilyas Arthashastra, in Todays Corporate World)
The office is an integral part of any organisation. Even in the olden days, it was compared to a fort or Durga in Sanskrit. This was the place from where the king used to rule. Keeping control of the fort was essential for the king.
This is no different from todays corporate world wherein a CEO Director needs to keep control of his office.
Chanakya says,
He should cause the treasury and the army to be collected in one place, in the fortified city, in charge of trustworthy men (5.6.7)
This is the prerequisite of a good office.
But let us see each aspect of this office in detail:
- TREASURY
The head office is the place from where the treasury is monitored. Once the treasury is well-managed, only then can other things be directly controlled. Otherwise, if the treasury becomes weak, problems start arising. Hence, it is essential to keep it full and protected.
- ARMY
An army includes all the employees – right from the CEO, to the peon and the driver. All of them form a complete unit. Theres just no division in team-work. Each person is equally important. When there is a war or competition, each person should be able to deliver his best. Thus, a good office has good, talented, skilled and capable men.
- TRUST WORTHY MEN
In every organisation there are key people who run the show. They are the lieutenants of the commander. Such people should be trustworthy and should also be able to trust others. These key positions – decision makers – are the backbone of any business unit.
So, in the above verse, the strategy given by Chanakya is that the He (the leader) should control the treasury (finance) and the Army (people) always at one place – the fortified city (the office / plant) and let trust worthy men (managers) run the show.
Once having achieved this set-up, the CEO or Director will have another bonus advantage. The fact that all these components are under one roof makes them easy to monitor on a regular and continuous basis.
Now, since we are already talking in modern terms, lets understand one thing the office should also be well equipped with the latest weapons. This means that the installed systems should be constantly upgraded, the technology should be latest used and the computers and other effective tools should be properly used.
But then, all these do not guarantee success. Just like in war, the success of any group or organisation depends on multiple factors. But at the end success lie in the brain of the leader.
As our present Indian Army Chief, General JJ Singh puts it, Finally it is the man behind the machine, who makes you win the war
(The author is the director of ATMA DARSHAN, a company that provides services, including spiritual tours. He is a management consultant and trainer. Those interested in having his sessions in their respective organisations can contact him on +91-9820374796 / 9821152537 or mail to radhakrishnan@atmadarshan.com)
Read more:
Introduction of Kautilyas Arthashastra
Management Fundamentals in Kautilyas Arthashastra