6 timeless lessons for HR from Ramayana

The Ramayana is one of the greatest epics of Hindu Mythology. It offers quintessential management lessons, lessons that are universally applicable and have withstood the test of time.

This Diwali, we thought it could be worthwhile to stop by and ponder on 6 crucial takeaways for HR leaders that Ramayana offers. These are timeless lessons and we thought it worthwhile to share them as part of this week’s edition of cajobportal Insights

1. A leader must know whom to trust

Line nos. 1-9 of the Kishkindha Kand, Chaupai is where Lord Ram mentions this when teaching Sugriv the glorious virtues of a true friend.
Translation:-

A foolish, dumb-witted servant or a pretentious, unscrupulous and deceitful friend—verily, all of them are akin to a spear that causes horrible torments as they are the cause of interminable suffering.

Rama tells Bharata to prefer one wise man to a thousand fools as it is the wise who can ensure prosperity during an economic crisis. Even if there is one minister who is really effective, the king will gain immensely. Appointing tested men of noble lineage and integrity for strategic positions is the key to successful governance.

One of the reasons why Ravana lost the game was that he neglected the advice of nay-sayers. His wife, Mandodari, brother Vibheeshana and grandfather Malyavaan – all advise him to return Sita to Rama. Instead, he chooses to listen to his courtiers who play on his ego and pride and advise him not to do so.

2. The Brand- Greater than Ram is the idea of Ram (राम से बड़ा राम का नाम).

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The challenge in building the bridge to Lanka was to make the stones float (as all the stones sank the moment they were thrown into the ocean). At one point, Lord Rama decided to extend a helping hand so he picked up a stone and threw it in the ocean. Surprisingly it sank without a trace!

It is said that a solution was offered by supporters of Lord Rama, i.e. inscribe the name \”Rama\” on the stone and then throw it in the ocean. The same was done and it worked!

So, surprising the takeaway is that greater than Ram is the idea of Ram.

Often we find that key employees in an organization tend to start believing that they are larger than the company. This self-consummating behavior often leads to downfall both for the individual and the organization

If the employees in your organization take similar pride in the employer brand, the conduct with external stakeholders will place greatest emphasis on the brand than anything else.

This can be so very enriching for the way the world perceives the company’s personality.

3. From the myopic “me” paradigm to the holistic “we” paradigm.

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In the modern self –centered age, sacrifice as a virtue has been forgotten. However, in any team setting, be it the corporate world or a game of sports, we see instances where a self-seeking player chases after a personal milestone at the cost of the team’s success and uplifting instances when a sacrificing player puts aside individual glory for the sake of the team’s victory.

The Ramayana offers us a panorama of jewel-like personalities who embody the spirit of sacrifice in various poignant real-life situations. Probably they cannot be imitated in today’s context but certainly can be used to draw inspiration

The manner in which Rama accepts the exile despite no fault of his; just to preserve the word of honor of his father, Dasharatha
The manner in which prefers the dangers of the forest to the security of the palace; displaying how much she valued the marital bond
The example of Lakshmana’s sacrifice in choosing to stand unflinchingly by the side of his elder brother during the latter’s hour of crisis
The example of Bharata’s sacrifice in resolutely refusing the kingdom meant for Rama

If a little bit of sacrifice is implemented in each of our lives, we could have so little of organizational conflict and rift

4. A leader values an individual’s contribution, no matter how small

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As they were constructing the bridge, a little squirrel who is a great devotee of Lord Rama, used all his strength tried to move small pebbles to the bridge. He greatly desired to be a part of the holy act.

The monkeys mocked him.

As the squirrel tried to carry the pebbles, one of the monkey warrior pulled the same from his hand and threw them away and asked him not to come to his sight once again.

The poor squirrel moved away from the place with a heavy heart.

As he moved away, the sea tides started mocking him. He was being carried in and out of the water several times. With a great difficulty he reached the shores. By then, he was totally wet. In the struggle to get out of the water he lost his stamina and could hardly move. He was falling on the sand and trundling. As he fell down sand grains stuck to his fur. He suddenly got an idea.

This very thought, fully energized him and he started rubbing himself on the sand and ran to the bridge and dropped the sand grains in the gaps between the rocks.

Monkey warriors had no clue of what he was doing.

But Lord Rama was watching the whole scene. He was very much moved by the love the little squirrel showed to him. He affectionately moved his hand through squirrel\’s back. Even today we can find the marks Lord Rama left on the squirrels back.

Leaders, by nature, should be accommodative, approachable, and humble enough to consider each and every member of the team.

5. Never ignore the unsung heroes in your organization

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When Valmiki completed his Ramayana, Narada wasn\’t impressed. He commented \’It is good, but Hanuman\’s is better’, he said.

\’That monkey has written the Ramayana too!\’ Valmiki replied in a disparaging tone and set out to find Hanuman, wondering whether his version was indeed better!

In Kadali-vana, grove of plantains, he found Ramayana inscribed on seven broad leaves of a banana tree.

He read it and found it to be perfect. The most exquisite choice of grammar and vocabulary, meter and melody. He couldn\’t help himself. He started to cry.

\’Is it so bad?\’ asked Hanuman

\’No, it is so good\’, said Valmiki

\’Then why are you crying?\’ asked Hanuman

\’Because after reading your Ramayana no one will read my Ramayana,\’ replied Valmiki

Hearing this Hanuman simply tore up the seven banana leaves stating’

Now no one will ever read Hanuman\’s Ramayana.\’

Hanuman magnanimously stated,

\’You need your Ramayana more than I need mine.

You wrote your Ramayana so that the world remembers Valmiki; I wrote my Ramayana so that I remember Ram.\’

It was then that Valmiki realized how he had been consumed by the desire for validation through his work. His Ramayana was a product of ambition; Hanuman\’s Ramayana was a product of affection. That\’s why Hanuman\’s Ramayana sounded so much better.

This story tell us that there are people like Hanuman who don\’t want to be famous. They do stuff just to fulfill some purpose. So people like Valmiki, don\’t think your \’\’ Ramayana\” is the best. There are many unsung \”Hanuman\” also!

6. Exit management – Take attrition seriously

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Anyone who joins an organization is bound to leave someday.

Rather than reducing exit management to a mere calculation of a statistical number, it could be worthwhile to try and decipher the reason behind the disassociation.

Had Ravana taken a moment to assess the reasons why Vibhishan left his side, he could have probably averted his fate. What’s ironic is that Vibhishan played a detrimental role in the downfall of Ravana by disclosing the secret of Ravana’s nabhi

Similarly every talented employee that leaves an organisation is an opportunity lost.

It is important to understand whether the individual failed to adapt according to the organization, and did not have the prerequisite skills, or did the organization not provided him with opportunities to grow and learn?

You see, you never know how your competitor stands to benefit from a disgruntled employee

Summing Up

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The basic yet enlightening interpretation that can be remembered for life is this strategy that can set you on the path to self-discovery

Consider

Ram as your soul.
Sita is your heart.
Ravan is your mind that steals your heart from your soul.
Lakshman is your consciousness, always with you and active on your behalf.
Hanuman is your intuition and courage that helps retrieve your heart to re-animate your soul.

Life is a constant battle between our mind and soul. We often land up in a dilemma as to what is right and wrong. In comes Lakshman (our conscious), the inner force which guides us. Every now and then, we need Hanu-man (our very own super hero, i.e. intuition and courage) to push us to greater heights of greatness

So, if we can learn this valuable lesson, recognize our own potential and start believing in ourselves, then everything in life is achievable and within our grasp.