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Book Review: Spiritual Guidelines for Managerial Excellence - Dr. A. Jagan Mohan Reddy

 

My salutations to the holy feet of the parama Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada and to the holy feet of the current Jagadgurus of Sringeri Sharada Peeta. This book is also brought out by Tattvaloka team as a collection of articles on this topic over the course of time. Dr. Reddy is an educator cum researcher having donned many roles across his rich experience in the industry and teaching. He loves teaching and counselling, while guiding the next generation on Ph.Ds.

Management is a topic of immense interest and research across time. Though the terminologies may be introduced in the modern age, the core principles have always been part of our cultural history across time. Dr. Reddy expands on the various tenets of the management drawing inspiration and lessons from our rich repository of knowledge i.e. Vedas, Upanishads, Itihasas, Puranas. The author’s wide knowledge base is evident in the references spanning from Bharatha’s own history to Greek Mythology. The book is filled with rich anecdotes and examples and makes for a great reference / inspiration for one and alike.

The book is composed of 4 sections - Spirituality in Workplace, Enhancing Human Capital, Self Management & Governance and Corporate responsibility. In each of these sections, there are dedicated chapters on specific tenets / principles that the author is trying to expand upon. Srimad Valmiki Ramayana and Srimad Bhagwad Gita forms a large part of the references. The author has taken many unique incidents / slokas from these epics and explains the relevance of the principles in the modern context. Sri Rama is definitely a great inspiration to the author and to the universe in general.

There are references from Ishopanishad, Brhadaranyaka Upanishads as well as Chanakya Neeti. As one proceeds with the book, some of the references of Ramayana and Gita may repeat owing to their universal appeal in multitude of situations. Quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Booker T Washington augment the rich knowledge base in the book.

The book is a great inspiration for everyone, whether they are managers in profession or not. This book is more about self-reflection, self-improvement and more importantly self-management. Management starts with the self, a point which is reiterated multiple times at various junctures in the book. The book does make one major impression on the readers: Spirituality has a constant presence in life across all spheres and is part of our identity and being.

DEFINITELY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READ. I would definitely recommend this to young adults (15-20 year olds) who will embark on the transition from Academics to work in years to come. This is equally applicable to the older folk to reflect, review and reform.

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