Italian Culture and Society Essays - 1089 Words

As the world evolves so do the people within it, but without much surprise some things do not change that drastically and one of those things is the culture in which a person was born and raised. Even though ones culture or way of life may progress in some ways, it does not totally change. The topic of discussion for this paper will be that of the Italian culture. Who are they really? What types of challenges do they face? Many other topics will be discussed about the Italian society, but first we begin with the basic facts as to who they were. The first few questions that must be answered in order to understand the Italian culture entirely is who they are, where they are located, how they live their everyday lives, and how they are†¦show more content†¦People of the Italian culture are very proud of their way of life and do not see any need to change it. Certain traditions that Italians have lived by for hundreds of years are still maintained with provincial pride due to th e fact that this community is so closely knit to their ancestors and the way life was lived before them. There is basis on which the Italian culture can be viewed as a single group of people. That basis would be there diverse ways of living from all other cultures and their patriotism for their country. Some aspects of Italian culture may pertain to other cultures but the uniqueness of this exact culture give it its own ability to strive as just one group. With closely knit communities, families, old loyalties to hometowns, and a striving economy people of the Italian culture are a single group of people that have survived using the same techniques as their cultural ancestors before them. On the other hand this culture does face challenges and prospects as a community and that is to be discussed next. No one community is perfect, each as their ups and downs. The Italian community suffers severally from sexism and it affects this society tremendously. In this type of society it is not unnatural for women to be a housewife or to have a job, but if a woman does have a job they do risk the chance ofShow MoreRelated Italian Immigrants in America Essay1350 Words   |  6 PagesItalian Immigrants in America   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ever since the United States was founded, immigrants have been arriving on its soil.   The first white inhabitants of the U.S. were immigrants from Europe.   They came for many reasons, such as religion and opportunity.   As the country grew and became more prosperous, it became more enticing to foreigners looking for opportunity.   This continued into the 20th century and finally during the 1920’s, the United States began to restrict immigrants from comingRead MoreA Brief Note On The American Workplace Values1181 Words   |  5 Pagesvalues due to our national culture. This is true for other countries as well. Just as U.S. workplace values vary depending on location, industry, and/or demographics, workplace values in different countries vary due national culture. Professor Geert Hofstede’s Six Dimensions of Culture is a study on how a nation’s culture can influence workplace values. Hofstede’s Six Dimensions of Culture Professor Geert Hofstede’s study looked at six dimensions of national culture to determine values in theRead MoreComparing Italy And The United States Of America1651 Words   |  7 Pagesdifferent cultures, Italy, and the United States of America. I decided to compare these countries for two reasons, the first being that as an Italian I can better point out the differences I have noticed living back and fourth in the US since a young age, and the second and main reason is because during our course we have been discussing on how bribing practices were banned and partially reintroduced in the U.S. due to unfair competition from foreign companies abroad. First lets focus on the culture ofRead MoreThe Integration Of Italians Into American Culture1315 Words   |  6 PagesItalian-American culture has been immortalized in movies, literature, and songs. One of the movies that shows the integration of Italians into American culture comes from the 20th century and was well acclaimed for its acting and cinematography. The 1955 film Marty accurately portrays Italian-American lifestyles and stigmas, specifically males, in that time period and demonstrates how the Italian people assimilated into American culture. Getting married was one of the most important things thatRead MoreInternational Management Essay example1678 Words   |  7 Pages1. In what way will the culture of Spain be different from that of the United States? In answering this question, refer to Figures 4–5, 4–6, and 4–7. In answering this question I will use the dimensions that Geert Hofstede identified to attempt to provide a composite picture of the cultures. The four dimensions Geert Hofstede examined were power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism and masculinityRead MoreDifferences Between Italian And Italian Culture1660 Words   |  7 Pageslived in a mixed of culture where we can find a variety of nationalities. Sometimes it is fascinating to wonder how people have different cultures, customs and values. I personality experienced endless events where my values clashed with someone else’s. Immigrating to this country and going to school with different nationalities helped me obviously to understand the distinctions we have culturally. It’s was difficult to adjusting and also learning about all these different cultures and I came into conclusionRead MoreWhat is Culture?1622 Words   |  7 PagesWebster’s dictionary defines culture as â€Å"the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time†. (Culture) This paper will attempt to inform the reader of those influences that were instrumental in molding what is the modern culture of Italy. The geography, history, language, art, food, and religion of the Italian region all combine to form one of the richest cultures on planet earth. This culture has also been a key influencer of western culture as a whole. By better understandingRead MoreLa Befana, Carnevale, And Easter1581 Words   |  7 PagesItaly shares many holidays with many cultures around the world. Three of those holidays iare La Befana, Carnevale, and Easter. They are among the most important to the Italian people and all tied together. They each have roots in Christianity and Catholicism, but are considered public holidays. La Befana, or Epiphany, always celebrated on January 6th. Considered the end of the Christmas season. A woman carrying a broomstick marks La Befana. She originates from a legend about the three wise men whomRead MoreCulture, Culture And Culture Essay1321 Words   |  6 PagesCulture Many times we hear concepts like ’Oriental culture’, ‘Italian culture’ or ‘Gothic Culture’. So we can understand and verify that it is an important concept related to the idea of the society where we live in. Culture, in Sociology, is a concept developed during XVIII and XIX centuries that has had various definitions. One exhaustive definition is in Browne (2015, p. 31): â€Å"Culture refers to the language, beliefs, values and norms, customs, dress, diet, roles, knowledge and skills, and allRead MoreMany scholars have written about the particularly intimate connection between food and family1400 Words   |  6 Pagesfamily prevalent in Italian-American culture. Herbert Gans interprets this to be a legacy of the traditional Southern Italian peasant culture that the immigrant generation successfully passed down to the younger generations in America. Thus, the connection is implied to be a â€Å"transplanted† cultural trait. However, when viewed in light of the social changes in America, this bond was inevitably affected by the Italians’ experiences in America. Italian-American food culture was a tradition shaped

Mice and Men Persuasive Essay - 799 Words

Of Mice and Men persuasive essay Death, the one thing every person will eventually face, could be seen as an end or an entrance. What is your extent of a friendship? How far are you willing to go to help the person you care for? For many reasons, the majority of people think murder is immoral—especially if it was your own best friend. But sometimes we may have to go to the extreme, as long as we know it was the right thing to do from the heart because that’s how much you know you care. In the story Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, I strongly believe that George was right to kill Lennie. We can all argue back and forth whether George killing Lennie was wrong or not. But the fact of the matter is—there was no escape. George heard â€Å"a†¦show more content†¦George and Lennie were best friends for a long time, more like brothers. Lennie is about as bright as a 2 watt bulb, so George couldn’t really get mad at him when he accidently killed Curley’s wife while feeling the softness of her hair. â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢I ain’t mad. I never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want ya to know’†. The two had planned a future together—a future in their own dream ranch, a ranch where no trouble would ever bother them. â€Å"’You†¦an’ me. Ever’body gonna be nice to you. Ain’t gonna be no more trouble. Nobody gonna hurt nobody nor steal from ‘em’†. Then after he tells him about the rabbits that Lennie is so fond of, he shoots him in the back of the head where he knows it will not hurt him, and Lennie will not know what hit him. This is the peaceful alternative to what Curley had in store for him. Curleys exact words were shoot the bastard right in the guts. Georges euthanizing of Lennie makes the mentally incompetent Lennie die with dignity. Had Curley gotten to Lennie first, Lennie would have suffered. This shows you how much George cares for Lennie, no matter what he does or the crimes he commits. He’d always be there to help Lennie get right back up to his feet, make him forget all his worries, and move on like nothing happened. I strongly believe George was the right person to kill Lennie, and made the right decision in doing so, rather than to let him suffer in the hands of Curley. So do I think George was right forShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay : Of Mice And Men855 Words   |  4 Pages Of Mice and Men Persuasive Essay Death, the one thing all of humanity will eventually face, could be seen as an end or an entrance. What is your extent of a friendship? How far are you willing to go to help the person you care for? For numerous reasons, a broad amount of people think murder is immoral—especially if it was your own best friend. But sometimes we may have to go to the extreme, as long as we know it was the right thing to do from the heart because that’s how much you know you careRead MoreOF MICE AND MEN ESSAY Libre2222 Words   |  9 PagesOf Mice And Men Essay Of mice and men essay State of California. essay writers salt lake city research paper writing chattanooga buy college ruled paper. Of mice and men essay Metis-sur-Mer of mice and men essay Columbus, Leicestershire, Palmdale, Bakersfield of mice and men essay san antonio write essay for me, of mice and men essay Alexandria uploading essay to common app, Chester of mice and men essay Norfolk geometry and algebra 1 formula sheet Of mice and men essay State of Rhode Island andRead MoreThe Freedom Writers And Romeo And Juliet905 Words   |  4 PagesCentury Community Charter Middle School and Animo Inglewood High School. Every year in middle school and in High School english would be on my schedule, sometimes even with two different english classes a year. We read different writing pieces, wrote essays, and learned techniques that help us develop our reading and writing skills. In middle school the writing tasks were easier and funner than high school. We read books like the Diary of Anne Frank, The Freedom Writers, and Romeo and Juliet, that IRead MoreQuaiyum:Explore how Steinbeck presents the theme of power and powerlessness in the relationships between characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’. Focus on the events in chapter 4.3049 Words   |  13 Pages2012 Quaiyum Miah Explore how Steinbeck presents the theme of power and powerlessness in the relationships between characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’. Focus on the events in chapter 4. The theme of power and powerlessness in chapter 4 of ‘Mice and Men’ is presented by Steinbeck in various ways. For example power is displayed though imagery, characterisation and dialogue. The main theme of power in Steinbeck’s novella includes seduction, physicalRead MoreHow To Write Literary Analysis4174 Words   |  17 PagesHow To Write Literary Analysis The Literary Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide When you read for pleasure, your only goal is enjoyment. You might find yourself reading to get caught up in an exciting story, to learn about an interesting time or place, or just to pass time. Maybe you’re looking for inspiration, guidance, or a reflection of your own life. There are as many different, valid ways of reading a book as there are books in the world. When you read a work of literature in an English classRead MorePopular Culture and Violent Behavior Essay11795 Words   |  48 Pagesoverlooked until gangster rap flooded onto the scene with groups such as Niggaz with Attitude (N.W.A.). The forming of hatred, culminating in murder and gratuitous violence can be blamed on popular culture , namely, popular rap music. The persuasive lyrics and violent imagery; killing policeman, raping women and murdering girlfriends get into the minds of the listeners causing abhorrence between people from different gangs and races in America. The iconic figures that are merelyRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesprobable good consequences of each action and the probable bad consequences while weighing the positive and negative impact of each consequence. It’s a kind of cost-benefit analysis. Exercises 1. Columbus Day is an American holiday. Write a short essay that weighs the pros and cons and then comes to a decision about whether there should be more or less public celebration (by Americans and their institutions) on Columbus Day, October 12. Here is some relevant background information to reduce yourRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesModel 23 An Overview 23 †¢ Inputs 24 †¢ Processes 25 †¢ Outcomes 25 Summary and Implications for Managers 30 S A L Self-Assessment Library How Much Do I Know About Organizational Behavior? 4 Myth or Science? â€Å"Most Acts of Workplace Bullying Are Men Attacking Women† 12 An Ethical Choice Can You Learn from Failure? 24 glOBalization! Does National Culture Affect Organizational Practices? 30 Point/Counterpoint Lost in Translation? 31 Questions for Review 32 Experiential Exercise Workforce DiversityRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pagespresence in our everyday lives. Partly because of this, the famous British economist John Maynard Keynes (1936) warned us that: . . . the ideas of economists and political philosophers . . . are more powerful than is commonly understood. . . . Practical men [sic],who believe themselves quite . 6 Chapter 1 Introducing organization theory: what is it, and why does it matter? exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear

Child Labour Essay Sample free essay sample

There is an old expression that goes ‘The kid is the male parent of the man’ it merely translates that childhood is the formative period when a man’s character is shaped. traits are built and values inculcated. Quality of life at this phase assumes great importance in the visible radiation that today’s kids are tomorrow’s grownups and would shortly be cardinal participants or movers and Shakerss as we call them in the great new universe all of us dream of. Unfortunately kids as a section remain a instead neglected and deprived batch in a fast and grownup centric universe which positions everything from its ain misconceived perceptual experience. Deprivation takes the signifier of deficiency of quality clip with household. absence of personalized love and a sympathetic ear in the flush states while in the 3rd universe it is symbolized more starkly in footings of being denied rudimentss like nutrient. We will write a custom essay sample on Child Labour Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page vesture. shelter. medical attention and instruction. What is worse is that in the under developed states kids are non merely neglected but actively exploited as a agency of inexpensive labor. Child labor is a offense against humanity. it is an cold pattern that stunts the physical and mental growing and stifles the free rolling spirit of the kid and merely goes against nature. Worse still the victims are excessively immature to even grok that they are being exploited. It is among the most serious societal issues confronting the universe today and besides among the most complicated. As a pattern kid labor has existed since clip immemorial. in a typical agricultural economic system like India a man’s worth in the olden yearss was measured in footings of the figure of kids he had as more kids intend more custodies to work in the farm and more green goodss to be reaped. While this was non surely desirable. one should besides see that the kids could hold done small else if they were non working in their father’s farm as there were no schools to go to during these times. besides they were non excessively burdened with work and reasonably good cared for in footings of basic necessities like nutrition and security. The industrial revolution and the attendant hegira to the urban countries in hunt of occupations and a support marked the beginning of child labour presuming startling proportions and going a major societal issue. Children on history of their unconditioned artlessness and weakness became miserable victims in the new industrial epoch of increased production. competition and an limitless chance to do money and concerns looking for a inexpensive and unquestioning labour force. Most of us would remember the small male child with a scintillation in his oculus cleaning the dinner tabular array in our weekend eat out. a five-spot pressed into his thenar and a rap on his dorsum being our two great gestures to pacify our guilt before we walk out anxiously moaning under the weight of a deluxe filling. He is among the 1000000s of this nation’s underprivileged and exploited kids running the looms in the zari embellishment works laboring in the dark and dory suites. cutting his fingers and the silkworms infecting his lesions to maintain our womenfolk stylish and the merchandisers affluent. he inhales the exhausts and toxic chemicals in the marble preies of Kota and match/fireworks industries of Sivakasi so we could hold good polished floors and do merry during Diwali. he languishes in the roadside dhaba. glosss your places as you rush to work. accompanies the truck driver as a cleansing agent male child and engages in an eternal list of grownup activity to ga in a square repast for himself and his household. Childs are besides employed in slaughter houses. saloons and cabaret halls in arrant neglect to their esthesias and the fact that they are in a phase where soaking up of equal groups is fast and being exposed to such activity could go forth a serious and lasting cicatrix on their mind. In the economically backward countries child labour takes the more exploitatory and oppressive signifier of ‘bonded labour’ . here they are sold like cowss to their benign proprietors who treat them no better than that. In a wide sense nevertheless all child labor is bonded. they may non be in ironss and may be free to go forth. but they are nevertheless under bondage. so long as they are in a topographic point against their wish and will and dispatching responsibilities rather beyond their age and laboring for their endurance. Child Labour is a complex issue. it raises inquiries that are hard to reply. it has no simplistic solutions and demands to be tackled at different degrees. India is a signer to the both the UN Convention and the ILO ( Intl Labour Organization ) that purely ban using kids below the age of 14. closer place we have the Child Labour Act of 1986. As in many other instances the jurisprudence surfs do so with impunity with a corrupt and insensitive official machinery looking the other manner and doing a jeer of the legal procedure. The fact that the exploited have no other pick and are willing to readily give themselves up to the users than starve makes it hard to emancipate them. Non Government organic structures like the Centre of Concern for kid labor. societal consciousness organisations and force per unit area from organisations from abroad in the signifier of censoring import of merchandises made with child labors have had a better impact in controling the threat of child labor or bet tering their working status than the child labor Torahs which exist merely on paper or their hatchet mans. In decision we could state that the solution to child labors could come merely with a echt alteration of bosom and concern to fellow human existences until so we need to constantly educate the people on how unjust and unfair it is to use child labor. Real release is possible merely when the economic divide between the rich and the hapless is narrowed and parents are non compelled to direct their kids to work as the lone means to last. While you may be able to discourage employers from engaging kids through rigorous execution of kid Torahs. policing and enforcing high punishments on defaulters. how are we traveling to undertake the larger issue of doing good the loss in gross to the household whose merely nutriment was the income the kid was conveying in? Salvaging the kid from an working employer and go forthing the household with no other option could be like a displacement from the boiling H2O to the fire. While the user would travel on with his concern with grownup employers after paying the punishment it is the reclaimed kid and his/her household that needs to confront the uncertainness of fring their beginning of income. The least we could make as persons when we come across a kid in harness of any sort is to be considerate to him/her as we would be to our ain immature 1s. we may non be able to salvage him or back up him but a small kindness. forgiveness and generousness could do a universe of difference to the unfortunate kid and do his universe a shadiness better.

Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata Essay Example

Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata Essay Western management philosophy may have created prosperity – for some people for some time at least but it has failed in the aim of ensuring betterment of individual life and social welfare. It has remained by and large a soulless edifice and an oasis of plenty for a few in the midst of poor quality of life for many. It does not give a sense of fulfillment what an individual desires at the end. (Aids Foundation of Bill Gates may be an example. ) Mahabharat depicts a path of Dharma as the sole objective, be it individual or corporate, since the same ensures maximization of happiness of all groups. We will write a custom essay sample on Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer An unholy desire to achieve results by any means often becomes counterproductive in the long run for the corporation and the country as a whole. Hence, there is an urgent need to re-examine prevailing management disciplines their objectives, scope and content. Management should be redefined to underline the development of the worker as a person, as a human being, and not as a mere wage-earner. With this changed perspective, management can become an instrument in the process of social and indeed national development. Gita however talks about Nishkam karma which helps one to achieve results more effectively in the long run by pursuing a path of Dharma. The two main pillars of Gita are abhyas (practice) and tapasya (penance). Going by this the corporate sector should continue doing the right thing ceaselessly by adopting the right means with a single-minded objective in mind ( Abhyas) and should not get swayed under any temptations or distraction and bear the hardships in the short run( Tapasya). With these two principles results will automatically come which will bring satisfaction to all groups be it customers, shareholders, vendors, workers, etc. 2. The Management Principles: Now let us re-examine some of the modern management concepts in the light of the  Bhagavad Gita  which is a primer of management-by-values. Mahabharat is not plainly the story of a war or a source of wisdom for philosophers. It exposes the secrets of leadership and the path to success. Mahabharat can be considered equivalent to other management bibles. Whether it is man management, human/organisational behaviour, game theory, management by objectives, all aspects of modern management can be discovered in various characters and episodes of the great epic. Bhishma, an honest manager caught in diametrically opposed clashes, who was forced to take wrong decisions by forces beyond his power. Yudhisthira is a flawless example of managerial acumen. Karna, a manager who fought his way up the ladder but could not keep up with the pressure and tensions and met a tragic end. Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, a daredevil leader without a business-plan of escape. He fought his way into the chakravyuha, but failed to come out and was brutally cornered and killed by Drona and others. Draupadi is the typical model of a woman powerhouse who kept others motivated till the goal is achieved. And Lord Krishna is the ideal example of a leader-manager who kept his eye on the target till the desired outcome was achieved. i) Honor Thy Competitor The Mahabharata tells us that one should never humiliate his competitors. Competitors should be treated with dignity. The great Kurikshetra War itself could be avoided if the pride of Duryodhan had not been hurt. When Duryodhan came to the palace at Indraprastha of the Pandavas he was mesmerized by its beauty. He mistook the crystalline edifices to be water bodies and vice versa and every time he made such a mistake the Pandavas and Draupadi made no efforts to hide their amusement which hurt Duryodhan’s pride beyond repair which laid the seeds of war in his mind. ii) Business consideration above personal consideration Dhritarashtra was the patriarch of the Kauravas. He was extremely partial towards his eldest son Duryodhan. He was blind not only literally but also figuratively. He was blind to his son’s faults. He took all decisions in Duryodhan’s favour irrespective of whether it was morally right or wrong be it the decision of sending the Pandavas to 14 years in exile or planning to murder the brothers and their mother at Vanavrata. This led to disastrous consequences. A person who is the head of an organization must take his decisions with an eye to the general good overriding personal considerations. His extending favours to his close subordinates must not be at the cost of the corporate health. He must keep his eyes and ears open and be aware of the limitations and shortcomings of his chosen successors or heirs. iii) Adaptability The Pandav brothers were not only great Kshatriyas skilled in weaponry and the art of warfare but also well versed in other humbler skills such as cooking, tending the cows and horses, dancing, etc. It was their versatility and adaptability that enabled them to complete their exile in the forest for 12 years and also the 13th year in disguise in King Virat’s court without any glitches. Had these princes born into the royal household, used to the royal comforts of their princely heritage not been so adaptable and adjusting they would have found it difficult to bear the rigors of a forest life and the humiliating positions of attendants in the royal court. Similarly, a good manager should be conversant with all aspects of the organization he works for from the shopfloor to the boardroom. He should be ready to exchange his suit for the gloves. iv) Making wise choices An important lesson of management science is to choose wisely and utilize scarce resources optimally. During the curtain raiser before the Mahabharata War, Duryodhana chose Sri Krishnas large army for his help while Arjuna selected Sri Krishnas wisdom for his support. This episode gives us a clue as to the nature of the effective manager the former chose numbers, the latter, wisdom. v) Attitudes towards work Three stone-cutters were engaged in erecting a temple. An HRD Consultant asked them what they were doing. The response of the three workers to this innocent-looking question is illuminating. I am a poor man. I have to maintain my family. I am making a living here, said the first stone-cutter with a dejected face. Well, I work because I want to show that I am the best stone-cutter in the country, said the second one with a sense of pride. Oh, I want to build the most beautiful temple in the country, said the third one with a visionary gleam. Their jobs were identical but their perspectives were different. What the  Gita  tells us is to develop the visionary perspective in the work we do. It tells us to develop a sense of larger vision in our work for the common good. vi)Dedication towards work A popular verse of the  Gita  advises â€Å"detachment† from the fruits or results of actions performed in the course of ones duty. Being dedicated work has to mean â€Å"working for the sake of work, generating excellence for its own sake. † If we are always calculating the date of promotion or the rate of commission before putting in our efforts, then such work is not detached. Working only with an eye to the anticipated benefits, means that the quality of performance of the current job or duty suffers It is not â€Å"generating excellence for its own sake† but working only for the extrinsic reward that may (or may not) result. Some people might argue that not seeking the business result of work and actions makes one unaccountable. In fact, the  Bhagavad Gita  is full of advice on the theory of cause and effect, making the doer responsible for the consequences of his deeds. While advising detachment from the avarice of selfish gains in discharging ones accepted duty, the  Gita  does not absolve anybody of the consequences arising from discharge of his or her responsibilities. Thus the best means of effective performance management is the work itself. Attaining this state of mind (called â€Å"nishkama karma†) is the right attitude to work because it prevents the ego, the mind, from dissipation of attention through speculation on future gains or losses. ii)Self- actualization—The Ultimate Goal Today’s management principles say that satisfying lower order needs such as food, shelter and clothing ensures that an employee puts in his maximum effort and it keeps the employee motivated. However, that is not the case. It is a common experience that the dissatisfaction of the clerk and of t he Director is identical only their scales and composition vary. On the contrary, a lowly paid schoolteacher, or a self-employed artisan, may well demonstrate higher levels of self-actualization despite poorer satisfaction of their lower-order needs. This situation is explained by the theory of self-transcendence propounded in the  Gita. Self-transcendence involves renouncing egoism, putting others before oneself, emphasizing team work, dignity, co-operation, harmony and trust – and, indeed potentially sacrificing lower needs for higher goals, the opposite of Maslow. â€Å"Work must be done with detachment. † It is the ego that spoils work and the ego is the centerpiece of most theories of motivation. We need not merely a theory of motivation but a theory of inspiration. viii) Work culture An effective work culture is about vigorous and arduous efforts in pursuit of given or chosen tasks. Sri Krishna elaborates on two types of work culture – â€Å"daivi sampat† or divine work culture which includes fearlessness, purity, self-control and â€Å"asuri sampat† or demonic work culture which includes egoism, delusions, improper performance and work not oriented towards service. Mere work ethic is not enough. The hardened criminal exhibits an excellent work ethic. What is needed is a work ethic conditioned by ethics in work. It is in this light that the counsel, â€Å"yogah karmasu kausalam† should be understood. Kausalam† means skill or technique of work which is an indispensable component of a work ethic. â€Å"Yogah† is defined in the  Gita  itself as â€Å"samatvam yogah uchyate† meaning an unchanging equipoise of mind (detachment. ) Tilak tells us that acting with an equable mind is Yoga. The  Gita  further explains the theory of â€Å"detachment† from the extrinsic rewards of work in saying: If the result of sincere effort is a success, the entire credit should not be appropriated by the doer alone. If the result of sincere effort is a failure, then too the entire blame does not accrue to the doer. The former attitude mollifies arrogance and conceit while the latter prevents excessive despondency, de-motivation and self-pity. Thus both these dispositions safeguard the doer against psychological vulnerability, the cause of the modem managers companions of diabetes, high blood pressure and ulcers. Assimilation of the ideas of the  Gita  leads us to the wider spectrum of â€Å"lokasamgraha† (general welfare) but there is also another dimension to the work ethic if the â€Å"karmayoga† (service) is blended with â€Å"bhaktiyoga† (devotion), then the work itself becomes worship, a â€Å"sevayoga (service for its own sake. (This may sound a peculiarly religious idea but it has a wider application. It could be taken to mean doing something because it is worthwhile, to serve others, to make the world a better place ) ix)Manager must show superior judgement In the book, the  Mahabharata, we come across a king by the name of Yayati who, in order to revel in t he endless enjoyment of flesh exchanged his old age with the youth of his obliging youngest son for a thousand years. However, he found the pursuit of sensual enjoyments ultimately unsatisfying and came back to his son pleading him to take back his youth. This â€Å"yayati syndrome† shows the conflict between externally directed acquisitions (extrinsic motivation) and inner value and conscience (intrinsic motivation. ) In today’s world also a manager must not be swayed by external vagaries. He must have a sound mental health which is the very goal of any human activity more so management. Sound mental health is that state of mind which can maintain a calm, positive poise, or regain it when unsettled, in the midst of all the external vagaries of work life and social existence. Internal constancy and peace are the pre-requisites for a healthy tress-free mind. x) Manager must follow the ‘actions speak louder than words’ policy â€Å"Whatever the excellent and best ones do, the commoners follow,† says Sri Krishna in the  Gita. The visionary leader must be a missionary, extremely practical, intensively dynamic and capable of translating dreams into reality. This dynamism and strength of a true leader flows from an inspired and spontaneous motivation to help others. 3. conclusion Sri Krishnas advice with regard to temporary failures is, â€Å"No doer of good ever ends in misery. Every action should produce results. Good action produces good results and evil begets nothing but evil. Therefore, always act well and be rewarded. All clouds will vanish. Light will fill the heart and mind. I assure him of this. This is the message of Holy  Gita. This discussion doesnot suggest discarding of the Western model of efficiency, dynamism and striving for excellence but to tune these ideals to Indias holistic attitude of â€Å"lokasangraha† for the welfare of many, for the good of many. This is indeed a moral dimension to business life. What we do in business is no different, in this regard, to what we do in our personal lives. The means do not justify the ends. Pursuit of results for their own sake, is ultimately self-defeating. (â€Å"Profit,† said Matsushita-san in another tradition, â€Å"is the reward of correct behaviour. † – ed. ) REFERENCES 1. You Can Win- Shiv Khera 2. managementparadise. com 3. citehr. com XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata Essay Example Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata Essay Western management philosophy may have created prosperity – for some people for some time at least but it has failed in the aim of ensuring betterment of individual life and social welfare. It has remained by and large a soulless edifice and an oasis of plenty for a few in the midst of poor quality of life for many. It does not give a sense of fulfillment what an individual desires at the end. (Aids Foundation of Bill Gates may be an example. ) Mahabharat depicts a path of Dharma as the sole objective, be it individual or corporate, since the same ensures maximization of happiness of all groups. We will write a custom essay sample on Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Principles of Management as Prescribed by the Mahabharata specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer An unholy desire to achieve results by any means often becomes counterproductive in the long run for the corporation and the country as a whole. Hence, there is an urgent need to re-examine prevailing management disciplines their objectives, scope and content. Management should be redefined to underline the development of the worker as a person, as a human being, and not as a mere wage-earner. With this changed perspective, management can become an instrument in the process of social and indeed national development. Gita however talks about Nishkam karma which helps one to achieve results more effectively in the long run by pursuing a path of Dharma. The two main pillars of Gita are abhyas (practice) and tapasya (penance). Going by this the corporate sector should continue doing the right thing ceaselessly by adopting the right means with a single-minded objective in mind ( Abhyas) and should not get swayed under any temptations or distraction and bear the hardships in the short run( Tapasya). With these two principles results will automatically come which will bring satisfaction to all groups be it customers, shareholders, vendors, workers, etc. 2. The Management Principles: Now let us re-examine some of the modern management concepts in the light of the  Bhagavad Gita  which is a primer of management-by-values. Mahabharat is not plainly the story of a war or a source of wisdom for philosophers. It exposes the secrets of leadership and the path to success. Mahabharat can be considered equivalent to other management bibles. Whether it is man management, human/organisational behaviour, game theory, management by objectives, all aspects of modern management can be discovered in various characters and episodes of the great epic. Bhishma, an honest manager caught in diametrically opposed clashes, who was forced to take wrong decisions by forces beyond his power. Yudhisthira is a flawless example of managerial acumen. Karna, a manager who fought his way up the ladder but could not keep up with the pressure and tensions and met a tragic end. Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, a daredevil leader without a business-plan of escape. He fought his way into the chakravyuha, but failed to come out and was brutally cornered and killed by Drona and others. Draupadi is the typical model of a woman powerhouse who kept others motivated till the goal is achieved. And Lord Krishna is the ideal example of a leader-manager who kept his eye on the target till the desired outcome was achieved. i) Honor Thy Competitor The Mahabharata tells us that one should never humiliate his competitors. Competitors should be treated with dignity. The great Kurikshetra War itself could be avoided if the pride of Duryodhan had not been hurt. When Duryodhan came to the palace at Indraprastha of the Pandavas he was mesmerized by its beauty. He mistook the crystalline edifices to be water bodies and vice versa and every time he made such a mistake the Pandavas and Draupadi made no efforts to hide their amusement which hurt Duryodhan’s pride beyond repair which laid the seeds of war in his mind. ii) Business consideration above personal consideration Dhritarashtra was the patriarch of the Kauravas. He was extremely partial towards his eldest son Duryodhan. He was blind not only literally but also figuratively. He was blind to his son’s faults. He took all decisions in Duryodhan’s favour irrespective of whether it was morally right or wrong be it the decision of sending the Pandavas to 14 years in exile or planning to murder the brothers and their mother at Vanavrata. This led to disastrous consequences. A person who is the head of an organization must take his decisions with an eye to the general good overriding personal considerations. His extending favours to his close subordinates must not be at the cost of the corporate health. He must keep his eyes and ears open and be aware of the limitations and shortcomings of his chosen successors or heirs. iii) Adaptability The Pandav brothers were not only great Kshatriyas skilled in weaponry and the art of warfare but also well versed in other humbler skills such as cooking, tending the cows and horses, dancing, etc. It was their versatility and adaptability that enabled them to complete their exile in the forest for 12 years and also the 13th year in disguise in King Virat’s court without any glitches. Had these princes born into the royal household, used to the royal comforts of their princely heritage not been so adaptable and adjusting they would have found it difficult to bear the rigors of a forest life and the humiliating positions of attendants in the royal court. Similarly, a good manager should be conversant with all aspects of the organization he works for from the shopfloor to the boardroom. He should be ready to exchange his suit for the gloves. iv) Making wise choices An important lesson of management science is to choose wisely and utilize scarce resources optimally. During the curtain raiser before the Mahabharata War, Duryodhana chose Sri Krishnas large army for his help while Arjuna selected Sri Krishnas wisdom for his support. This episode gives us a clue as to the nature of the effective manager the former chose numbers, the latter, wisdom. v) Attitudes towards work Three stone-cutters were engaged in erecting a temple. An HRD Consultant asked them what they were doing. The response of the three workers to this innocent-looking question is illuminating. I am a poor man. I have to maintain my family. I am making a living here, said the first stone-cutter with a dejected face. Well, I work because I want to show that I am the best stone-cutter in the country, said the second one with a sense of pride. Oh, I want to build the most beautiful temple in the country, said the third one with a visionary gleam. Their jobs were identical but their perspectives were different. What the  Gita  tells us is to develop the visionary perspective in the work we do. It tells us to develop a sense of larger vision in our work for the common good. vi)Dedication towards work A popular verse of the  Gita  advises â€Å"detachment† from the fruits or results of actions performed in the course of ones duty. Being dedicated work has to mean â€Å"working for the sake of work, generating excellence for its own sake. † If we are always calculating the date of promotion or the rate of commission before putting in our efforts, then such work is not detached. Working only with an eye to the anticipated benefits, means that the quality of performance of the current job or duty suffers It is not â€Å"generating excellence for its own sake† but working only for the extrinsic reward that may (or may not) result. Some people might argue that not seeking the business result of work and actions makes one unaccountable. In fact, the  Bhagavad Gita  is full of advice on the theory of cause and effect, making the doer responsible for the consequences of his deeds. While advising detachment from the avarice of selfish gains in discharging ones accepted duty, the  Gita  does not absolve anybody of the consequences arising from discharge of his or her responsibilities. Thus the best means of effective performance management is the work itself. Attaining this state of mind (called â€Å"nishkama karma†) is the right attitude to work because it prevents the ego, the mind, from dissipation of attention through speculation on future gains or losses. ii)Self- actualization—The Ultimate Goal Today’s management principles say that satisfying lower order needs such as food, shelter and clothing ensures that an employee puts in his maximum effort and it keeps the employee motivated. However, that is not the case. It is a common experience that the dissatisfaction of the clerk and of t he Director is identical only their scales and composition vary. On the contrary, a lowly paid schoolteacher, or a self-employed artisan, may well demonstrate higher levels of self-actualization despite poorer satisfaction of their lower-order needs. This situation is explained by the theory of self-transcendence propounded in the  Gita. Self-transcendence involves renouncing egoism, putting others before oneself, emphasizing team work, dignity, co-operation, harmony and trust – and, indeed potentially sacrificing lower needs for higher goals, the opposite of Maslow. â€Å"Work must be done with detachment. † It is the ego that spoils work and the ego is the centerpiece of most theories of motivation. We need not merely a theory of motivation but a theory of inspiration. viii) Work culture An effective work culture is about vigorous and arduous efforts in pursuit of given or chosen tasks. Sri Krishna elaborates on two types of work culture – â€Å"daivi sampat† or divine work culture which includes fearlessness, purity, self-control and â€Å"asuri sampat† or demonic work culture which includes egoism, delusions, improper performance and work not oriented towards service. Mere work ethic is not enough. The hardened criminal exhibits an excellent work ethic. What is needed is a work ethic conditioned by ethics in work. It is in this light that the counsel, â€Å"yogah karmasu kausalam† should be understood. Kausalam† means skill or technique of work which is an indispensable component of a work ethic. â€Å"Yogah† is defined in the  Gita  itself as â€Å"samatvam yogah uchyate† meaning an unchanging equipoise of mind (detachment. ) Tilak tells us that acting with an equable mind is Yoga. The  Gita  further explains the theory of â€Å"detachment† from the extrinsic rewards of work in saying: If the result of sincere effort is a success, the entire credit should not be appropriated by the doer alone. If the result of sincere effort is a failure, then too the entire blame does not accrue to the doer. The former attitude mollifies arrogance and conceit while the latter prevents excessive despondency, de-motivation and self-pity. Thus both these dispositions safeguard the doer against psychological vulnerability, the cause of the modem managers companions of diabetes, high blood pressure and ulcers. Assimilation of the ideas of the  Gita  leads us to the wider spectrum of â€Å"lokasamgraha† (general welfare) but there is also another dimension to the work ethic if the â€Å"karmayoga† (service) is blended with â€Å"bhaktiyoga† (devotion), then the work itself becomes worship, a â€Å"sevayoga (service for its own sake. (This may sound a peculiarly religious idea but it has a wider application. It could be taken to mean doing something because it is worthwhile, to serve others, to make the world a better place ) ix)Manager must show superior judgement In the book, the  Mahabharata, we come across a king by the name of Yayati who, in order to revel in t he endless enjoyment of flesh exchanged his old age with the youth of his obliging youngest son for a thousand years. However, he found the pursuit of sensual enjoyments ultimately unsatisfying and came back to his son pleading him to take back his youth. This â€Å"yayati syndrome† shows the conflict between externally directed acquisitions (extrinsic motivation) and inner value and conscience (intrinsic motivation. ) In today’s world also a manager must not be swayed by external vagaries. He must have a sound mental health which is the very goal of any human activity more so management. Sound mental health is that state of mind which can maintain a calm, positive poise, or regain it when unsettled, in the midst of all the external vagaries of work life and social existence. Internal constancy and peace are the pre-requisites for a healthy tress-free mind. x) Manager must follow the ‘actions speak louder than words’ policy â€Å"Whatever the excellent and best ones do, the commoners follow,† says Sri Krishna in the  Gita. The visionary leader must be a missionary, extremely practical, intensively dynamic and capable of translating dreams into reality. This dynamism and strength of a true leader flows from an inspired and spontaneous motivation to help others. 3. conclusion Sri Krishnas advice with regard to temporary failures is, â€Å"No doer of good ever ends in misery. Every action should produce results. Good action produces good results and evil begets nothing but evil. Therefore, always act well and be rewarded. All clouds will vanish. Light will fill the heart and mind. I assure him of this. This is the message of Holy  Gita. This discussion doesnot suggest discarding of the Western model of efficiency, dynamism and striving for excellence but to tune these ideals to Indias holistic attitude of â€Å"lokasangraha† for the welfare of many, for the good of many. This is indeed a moral dimension to business life. What we do in business is no different, in this regard, to what we do in our personal lives. The means do not justify the ends. Pursuit of results for their own sake, is ultimately self-defeating. (â€Å"Profit,† said Matsushita-san in another tradition, â€Å"is the reward of correct behaviour. † – ed. ) REFERENCES 1. You Can Win- Shiv Khera 2. managementparadise. com 3. citehr. com XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX