- October 26, 2018
- Blog
Are you one the guys who is unable to understand why some people find favor with the bosses, while you don’t? Does it irritate you no-end when you work hard and smart, and yet you are not in your boss's favorite books? Are you at wits-end to understand what else to do for that promotion? That bonus? That corner office? That favorite seat next to the boss? I draw upon Mahabharata for some priceless lessons in “Boss-Management”.
The glorious Pandavas, the good guys, have lost it all to the evil Kauravas (their cousins) in a series of game of dice. The final one - win all back or else get banished for twelve long years to a forest and spend one more year in total incognito – is also lost. They are banished to the forest, have successfully spent the twelve long years in wilderness, possibly beating Bear Grylls to shame in survival techniques. Pandavas decide to spend the 13th year incognito in the palace of King Virata. The eldest of the five Pandavas – Yudhistira, the righteous one – is planning to be a counsel of the King; Bhima- the terrible – has decided to the chief cook; Arjuna – archer supreme – has decided to be a dance teacher to the princess; Nakula and Sahadeva – the noble ones – have decided to be the keepers of stable and the cow-shed at the King Virata’s palace. They have little idea on how to be play these roles in the King’s presence.
Sage Dhaumya understands the erstwhile emperor’s and his brother’s predicament. He proceeds on a discourse on how to conduct oneself in a King’s presence.
Note: You may ask how is Sage Dhaumya’s advice to the great Pandavas have anything to do with Boss Management? Well good you asked. Read on. And remember to replace the word ‘King’ with ‘Boss’. I have also included my humble opinion under 'translation'.
How should one conduct before the king? What actions are appropriate?
- One should present himself before the king, after having obtained his permission at the door. (Translation: Knock, before you enter.)
- Paying homage in season unto the king, one should silently and respectfully sit beside the king, for kings take umbrage at babblers, and disgrace lying counselors. (Translation: Do not forget to wish your boss.)
- No one should, unasked offer counsel (to a king). (Translation: Keep your trap shut.)
- After carefully deliberating on all things, a person should set forth before the king those topics that are both profitable and pleasant; but should a subject be profitable without being pleasant, he should still communicate it, despite its disagreeableness. It behoveth a man to be well-disposed towards the king in all his interests, and not to indulge in speech that is alike unpleasant and profitless. (Translation: Do not give bad news.)
- A learned man should sit either on the king's right or the left; he should not sit behind him for that is the place appointed for armed guards, and to sit before him is always interdicted. (Translation: Don't sit like the boss as if you are his equal.)
- Let none, when the king is engaged in doing anything (in respect of his servants) come forward pressing himself zealously before others, for even if the aggrieved be very poor, such conduct would still be inexcusable. (Translation: When the boss is giving a hiding to someone - join in with the boss.)
- It behoveth no man to reveal to others any lie the king may have told inasmuch as the king bears ill will to those that report his falsehoods. (Translation: Never snitch.)
- What man that is respected by the wise can even think of doing mischief to one whose ire is great impediment and whose favor is productive of mighty fruits? (Translation: One will get screwed if one takes panga with boss.)
- No one should move his lips, arms and thighs, before the king. A person should speak and spit before the king only mildly. In the presence of even laughable objects, a man should not break out into loud laughter, like a maniac; nor should one show (unreasonable) gravity by containing himself, to the utmost. One should smile modestly, to show his interest (in what is before him). (Translation: Behave!)
- That learned courtier who always pleaseth the king and his son with agreeable speeches, succeedeth in dwelling in a royal household as a favourite. The favourite courtier who, having lost the royal favor for just reason, does not speak evil of the king, regains prosperity. (Translation: Words laced with honey gets money.)
- The man who serveth the king or liveth in his domains, if sagacious (a person with good judgement), should speak in praise of the king, both in his presence and absence. (Translation: Never speak ill of the boss ever.)
- None should, for the purpose of self-interest, open communications with the king's enemies. (Translation: You have nothing to do with the boss's enemy.)
- One should not dress like the king, nor should one indulge in laughter in the king's presence nor should one disclose royal secrets. By acting thus one may win royal favor. (Translation: Dress a shade inferior to the boss.)
- Commissioned to a task, one should not touch bribes for by such appropriation one becometh liable to fetters or death. (Translation: Be totally above suspicion in boss's work.)
- The robes, ornaments, cars, and other things which the king may be pleased to bestow should always be used, for by this, one winneth the royal favour. (Translation: Use what the boss gifts.)
Who is entitled to live in the Royal households?
- He who doth not, regarding himself to be a favourite, occupy (the king's) car, or coach, or seat, or vehicle, or elephant, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. (Translation: Stay away from boss's car and laptop.)
- He that sits not upon a seat, the occupation of which is calculated raise alarm in the minds of malicious people, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. (Translation: Never take up posts that will send a signal to your colleagues that you covet the boss's chair.)
- He that swerveth not from his place, he that is not friendly to those that are hostile to the king, he that striveth not to do wrong to the king, is alone worthy to dwell in a royal household. (Translation: Work always for the interest of the boss.)
- He that is ever mindful of the king's welfare, and is neither exhilarated by reward nor depressed by disgrace, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. (Translation: Boss's work is God's work and what you get - good or bad - is 'prasad'.)
- He that is always cheerful and strong, brave and truthful and mild, and of subdued senses, and who followeth his master like his shadow, is alone worthy to dwell in a royal household. (Translation: Say 'Yes Sir' with class.)
- He that living away from his home, doth no remember his dear ones, and who undergoeth (present) misery in expectation of (future) happiness, is alone worthy of dwelling in a royal household. (Translation: When you are on long tours, do not complain to the boss that you miss family.)
Who does a King like?
- No one should keep contact with royal secrets.
- Nor should one desire a seat which another may covet.
- A wise person should not contact friendship with the king's wife, nor with the inmates of the inner apartments, nor with those that are objects of royal displeasure. (Translation: Behave with boss's wife in office parties.)
- One about the king should do even the most unimportant acts and with the king's knowledge. Behaving thus with a sovereign, one doth not come by harm. (Translation: All work of boss is very important.)
- Even if an individual attain the highest office, he should, as long as he is not asked or commanded, consider himself as born-blind, having regard to the king's dignity, for O repressers of foes, the rulers of men do not forgive even their sons and grandsons and brothers when they happen to tamper with their dignity. (Translation: Never lower the dignity of the boss - consequences will be permanent.)
- Kings should be served with regardful care, even as Agni and other gods; and he that is disloyal to his sovereign, is certainly destroyed by him. (Translation: Lack of loyalty leads to not only loss of job, but also poor reference checks.)
- Renouncing anger, and pride, and negligence, it behoveth a man to follow the course directed by the monarch. (Translation: However angry you may feel, follow orders of the boss.)
- Kings also always disregard persons that regard themselves as learned. No man should be proud thinking—I am brave, or, I am intelligent, but a person obtains the good graces of a king and enjoys the good things of life, by behaving agreeably to the wishes of the king. And, O Bharata, obtaining things agreeable, and wealth also which is so hard to acquire, a person should always do what is profitable as well as pleasant to the king. (Translation: Never think and behave as if you are more intelligent than the boss. Really you are not!)
- Always thinking—I am not liked by the king—one should banish negligence, and be intent on bringing about what is agreeable and advantageous to him. (Translation: Never take boss for granted.)
- The courtier who attempts to obtain his end by employing force on the king, cannot keep his place long and incurs also the risk of death. (Translation: Never force a boss to do anything - the result will echo on your job.)
- Nor should one distinguish himself above the king in matters requiring ability and talents. (Translation: Never think you are better than the boss. You are not!)
I thank the Gutenberg Press for the original and the English translation.
It is easy to see the relevance of the above in today’s context. If you have fallen off the favor of the boss, read the above and I am sure you will also understand what went wrong and what you need to spring back.
And to all those who are successful…add below any other technique that you have used for successful Boss Management.
