Indian Ethos

Ethos
• Ethos are ethics, culture, moral
standards, values, norms, beliefs of a
country that provides a standard of
thought, action and judgment for the
people belonging to that country
• The characteristic spirit and beliefs of
community/people which distinguish one
culture from other
 Indian Ethos
• Indian ethos have been imbibed from rich intellectual
heritage like Vedas, Ramayana, Bhagwat Gita,
Upnishads, Mahabharata
• Also great thinkers have added their intellectual thoughts
to these ethos like Buddha, Mohammed, Chanakya,
Shankaracharya, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekanand
• Revolves around the holistic vision of life and strongly
advocate the view that all work have to be directed
towards single purpose – expression of eternal divinity in
man by working the good for all being assuring all
success: internal and external
• It rates internal excellence over external and
redistribution over accumulation
• Two basic truths are
• Diversity of all souls
• Oneness of all life and universe
 Principles of Indian Ethos
• Patience and co-operation
• Self control
• Truthfulness and integrity
• Forgiveness
• Non – greediness
• Non – egoism
• Nonattachment
• Welfare of all
• Fearlessness and self-confidence
• Giving or sacrifice
• Non cruelty
• Simplicity and peace
• Self realization and understanding of ultimate goal
• Love, respect and compassion for all
• Gyan, bhakti, yoga, karma
• Means equally important as ends
 Contribution to Management
• Self confidence and management
• ‘Aham brahmasmi’ and tatwansi’
• Work culture
• Sadhna and karma– divine duty and actions
• Prasadbuddhi – not guided by results
– ‘karmanye wadhikaraste, ma phaleshu kadaachanneh’
• No raga, bhaya, dwesh, krodh
• Leadership
• RAJRISHI – (Raja+rishi) leader with governance and divine qualities
• Social responsibilities
• Lok sangraha and trusteeship
• Change management
• By knowledge, emotion, action, fearlessness and courage
• Global harmony
• Vasudhev kutumbakam
• Macro vision
• Seeing oneself as a part of greater big
Difference between western and Indian mgmt thought
Factor western Indian
motive Profit at any cost Material gains coupled with social
thinking compartmentalized Integrated
manager Material being Spiritual being (rajrishi)
drive money Nirvana
society Self centered employees Individuals with common goals
guidance Soul-less conscience
tools 5Ms 5Ms + ethics and values
happiness For self, external For all, internal
possession accumulation Jagatsangraha
consumption Focus on consumerism Restrain on consumption
resources exploited Preserved and taken care of
hierarchy Right oriented Duty oriented
stress high Low having focus on internal
happiness
economy exploited sustainable