VOLUME V – CHAPTER XXI

AYURVEDA – A MANAGEMENT TOOL

A lot of studies have been made on human behaviour – how people behave and why they behave like that, but all these studies are mind based – studying the working of the mind. Two management specialists, Navi Radjou of the Judge Business School of Cambridge University and Dr. Prasad Kripa of the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad India turned their attention to the body – its impact on the mind leading to different types of behaviour. They looked into ayurveda – the centuries old medicinal system of India which was well codified by Sushreta.

            Their research and personal experience led them to the conclusion that the creativity and productivity of the staff can be enhanced by juxtaposing their work with their physical and mental energy patterns. They suggest that every one should know how to increase, channaelise and sustain our “Prana” (Chinese call it “CHI” and Japanese call it “KI”) – through that we can improve our vitality and outshine others.

            According to Ayurveda our body is composed  of 5 elements, earth, water, fire air and space. Its functional aspects are directed by three biological humours – or “doshas” – vata, pitta and kapha.

            Vata combines space and air, Pitta combines fire and water, Kapha combines water and earth.

            These are present in all our cells. They govern the psycho-physiological changes in our body and mind. Vata denotes movements and is defines through the nervous system. Pitta is the agent of change and directs the metabolic processes. Kapha is the binding factor and the body fluids do this job.

            In every one of us these three differ at various levels of combinations and shape the body mind factor and the physical emotional mental flow patterns. These three must be in proper balance in both and mind.

            Balance in vata will make a person creative and very active, but if it is in excess it will lead him anxiety prone and depressed.

            Balance in pitha increases one’s focus, imbalance will colour you judgement and fill you with anger.

            Balance in kapha will improve your decision-making abilities, imbalance will make you lethargic, rigid and stubborn with your stand.

In each person two of this are normally dominant –

V & P

P & K

K & V

How can this knowledge be useful to a leader in organising his team ? Get to know these three doshas balance in each staff (through medical examination) and put the correct grouping of people with vata (high creativity) and pitta (determination) and kapha (caution).

To develop new idea or schemes have a (V-P) vata – pitta combination.

When you want your staff to work within well defined parameters have a (V –K) Vata – Kapha team.

If you have a difficult project that demands hard work constituting a V-P team will be good.

When a particular aspect has to be studied and worked upon (P-K) pitta – khapa teams will be useful.

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VOLUME V – CHAPTER XXII

U – COMPLETE / IN COMPLETE PRINCIPAL? 

ASK YOURSELF – WHO AM I

                       What do we expect of a principal? The leader of the school? Should he have the intellectual prowess to analyse difficult situations?

The ability to enthuse the staff to visualise a bright future for the school.

The skill to manoeuvre the school ship through rough seas, turbulent waves, hurricane storms.

The perfect human relations to weld the staff into a homogenous team.

The charisma to make the School an Icon.

The School a hub of innovation

The school  – a pride of the society and envy of other schools.

The principal should ask himself : – Who am I?

  • Am I a correct fit? Will the chair be hard and heavy or soft and smooth?
  • How am I expected to act?
  • What behaviour pattern am I expected to display?
  • What kind of leadership am I expected to provide?
  • What kind of human relation I should practice?
  • Am I expected to encourage innovation or maintain status quo?
  • Am I expected to take the School forward or consolidate at its present level?
  • Am I expected to ethical or show ROI (Return On Investments)?
  • Am I expected to wield authority or acquire power?
  • Can I take school away from being just a spoke?
  • How can I bring the best in each?
  • How can I recruit or retain top talent?
  • Can I make the school a functioning one?

Isn’t this a tall order for any person? Can we find an individual who combines all these 13 skills? It is as difficult as to find a horoscope which matches in all the 10 aspects which an astrologer will look into while hatching the horoscopes of the boy and a girl. As in gymnastics there is no perfect 10. The complete Principal is a myth, a mirage, a horizon.

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CRITICISING others and finding fault with them are both results of egoism. Search your own faults instead. The faults you see in others are your own faults instead. The faults you see in others are but reflections of your own personality traits. Pay no heed to little worries; attach your mind to the Lord and then you will be led to the Company of good men and your talents will be transmuted.

– Sathya Sai Baba