What's a 3rd century statesman got to do with modern-day management issues? Plenty, according to a new book that applies Chanakya's sutras to guide you on leadership, attrition and busting competition
What's a 3rd century statesman got to do with modern-day management issues? Plenty, according to a new book that applies Chanakya's sutras to guide you on leadership, attrition and busting competition
History textbooks gush about legendary mastermind Chanakya aka Kautilya aka Vishnugupta, and his treatise, Arthashastra.
And author Radhakrishnan Pillai believes Arthashastra's 6,000 sutras (divided into 15 books, 150 chapters, and 180 sections) on economics, politics and military tactics can help today's CEOs deal with challenges at work. 
Pillai's fascination for Chanakya neeti (strategy) dates back to his first entrepreneurial venture when he was fresh out of management college. Sensing a lack of direction, he pored over the Mahabharata and the Arthashastra.
The latter left him clueless, leading him to take a sabbatical and approach a master. The result is his just-launched book, Corporate Chanakya.
On Leadership
The corporate world's search for supremacy over competitors can be summed up in one phrase the search for power, which can be compared to warfare strategy. Here's how to keep everybody happy when you are in command of an organisation:
Remember old clients while making new ones: Business is not a one-time deal. Meet old clients regularly even when you are expanding your client base.
Respect and protect women: When men and women work on a common project, they bring in different perspectives. If you are an employer or employee, inculcate respect towards women, and an attitude of receptiveness to their point of view.
On Employees
Stopping attrition
According to Chanakya, ignoring employees who seem content is a bad HR strategy. Just because an employee seems content does not mean he/she is. He suggests giving increments and gifts to ensure loyalty.
Create your own culture: Develop an organisational culture that's unique. Others can copy your product and services, but never your culture. Get out of your cabin and spend more time with your staff. Let your organisation be one where everyone feels proud to work.
On Competition
As new projects are launched, bigger brands launched, and new markets explored, strategies to meet new challenges are needed.
Protection from enemies
Keep your USP a secret: Your USP should stay just that your Unique Selling Point. Something special in your service or product that only you have. Even if the enemy knows about it, they shouldn't be able to replicate it.
Find the enemy's weakness: Be aware of the various moves your enemies are planning or making. Have a market intelligence team. You need not be the first to attack. But if attacked, you should know how to strike back.
On people
Motivating employees
Chanakya developed a system of motivation which worked with the carrot, the stick, and lots more.
Sama (consultation): This is the first step to be taken when an employee is not working well ufffd listen to him. Have a clear understanding of his side of the story.
Dana (reward): Chanakya suggests rewarding employees sufficiently to get work done. It could be in the form of incentives, paid vacations, bonuses or promotions.
Danda (punishment): Several employees do not show signs of improvement despite constant prodding and other efforts. Therefore, Chanakya recommends a stronger step punishments. It can be a warning, a suspension, a cut in salary, or even a demotion.
Bheda (split): When none of the other methods work, it is concluded that the organisation and the employee cannot work together anymore.
Leaders must avoid
The challenge for any government is to check if the last man in the last village is happy. Till that is achieved, his work is incomplete.
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At times, we find that what is reported is only the success of a few people. As a leader, never go by these reports.
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Be on the 'ground' yourself. Track what the peon and driver feels. Talk with them, understand what keeps them going or makes them feel frustrated. Take action.
Corporate Chanakya, Radhakrishnan Pillai, Rs 275, Jaico Books.
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