Gandhi Jayanti: Here's what B-School grads can learn from the Gandhian principles

The Blockbuster movies "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S" and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" didn't just rock the box office because of its creativity and comedy, but also because it made us all reconnect with some of the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. "The Father Of Our Nation" responsible for our country to become Independent India followed some amazing principles which can be used in all walks of life. Today, after a long gap... I felt the need to write a piece on the top four learnings that B-School Grads can derive from the GANDHIAN PRINCIPLES.

"The body should be controlled by the mind and the mind by the soul":

This was the first principle which guided all his thoughts or rather acted as a foundation to all his other principles. The key point here that can be applied to the business environment is to understand the importance of unity, integrity and the awareness of the Interdependence of each aspect of both Internal & External Factors to be able to become a good manager or entrepreneur. Developing a 360-degree holistic approach is crucial as business graduates are expected to possess both Technical and Functional skills to perform in today's competitive business scenario. 

Satyagraha - SATHYA and AGRAHA

The word which is actually a combination of two Sanskrit words. SATHYA means "truth" and AGRAHA means "holding firmly to". Though Business Management & Businesses both give priority to PROFIT MAXIMISATION, very few businesses actually understand the importance of SATHYA in their business practices and seldom follow AGRAHA in their ETHICS. But, the ones who ensure to maintain transparency, measurable commitment and focus on EDUCATING customers about their products/services thereby covering the SATHYA aspect and make it a mission to never follow unethical business practices or ignore the needs of their clients by following AGRAHA in sticking to their core values... are the true leaders of the industry. This, according to my opinion is the mindset and attitude that Future Business managers and leaders need to develop. 

AHIMSA + "HATE the SIN, LOVE the sinner"

These two principles combined can help a B School Grad develop ASSERTIVE CONFLICT RESOLUTION BEHAVIOR. Ahimsa, though refers to Non-Violence can be translated into Non-Vengeance in the workplace and to develop an understanding that, it's generally not the character or intent of an individual which would have led them to hurt your feelings... But rather, the situation that would have led up to it. Understanding and learning to move past situations and still be unaffected by specific situations go a long way in the Corporate World.

"Be the CHANGE, YOU want in the WORLD" + "In a GENTLE way, YOU can SHAKE the WORLD"

In simple terms, this translates to developing INITIATION SKILLS for business grads to enable them to become FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS. As the main crucial component that differentiates a follower and the leader is the ABILITY TO INITIATE and BRING IN CHANGE. No effort is too small or too less like Gandhiji said... If you decide to BE THE CHANGE and work towards the GREATER GOOD, even the most trivial change that you initiate for the betterment of others will gain momentum and become a revolution.

So, here's to hoping that...You, my readers aspiring to get into the Corporate World shall incorporate my simple thoughts into your life and make... Not me, But Gandhiji PROUD!