The Evolution of a Manager: A Journey Through Shayari, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the Hindu philosophy

Management is not just about overseeing tasks and achieving targets; it’s a profound journey of personal and professional evolution. In this article, i aim to explore the evolution of a manager through the lens of a thought-provoking Shayari, the cliched "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the Hindu philosophy around four stages of life. The acceptance of our evolution as a manger can help us jump out the rat race and pace ourselves better for a fulfilling professional journey.

Let's start on a light note with a heartwarming Urdu Shayari. I heard it recently in this TRS show with Vikas Divyakirti sir which got me thinking and served as the base for this article.

The Shayari

????? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ????
??????, ??????, ????? ?? ????        

Translated, it means:

Obsession is different at every age: 
Toys, Lovers, Status, and God.        

This Shayari mirrors the progression of human life from childhood to old age with a different pursuit and aspiration in each stage. The origin of this Shayari is not known, but it brings to mind the style of poets like Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and Jaun Elia (visit the link on Rekhta to enjoy more of their writings) who frequently delved into the changing nature of love, passion, and human experience over time.

Being a framework and best practices enthusiast (read strategy consultant, data-oriented decision maker, visionary leader, or other such fancy titles that we tend to use while trying to introduce ourselves professionally), this cryptic explanation does not seem enough to me, so let me try and belabor this point by finding validation in two widely employed frameworks. One of them is straight from the psychology textbooks while the other one is more from a spiritual and Hinduism textbooks.

Psychology framework - The Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposing that human needs are arranged in a hierarchy, from the most basic to the most complex, as follows:

• Physiological Needs: Basic survival needs such as food, water, and shelter.
• Safety Needs: Security and stability in one's environment.
• Love and Belonging: Social connections, relationships, and community.
• Esteem Needs: Recognition, respect, and self-esteem.
• Self-Actualization: Realizing one's full potential and pursuing personal growth and fulfillment.

Each level must be satisfied before progressing to higher levels, ultimately leading to self-actualization. A sixth level also exists, which is of Self-transcendence. It is about transcending (or rising above) the self and relating to that which is greater than the self. In simpler terms, it is the realization that you are one small part of a greater whole and acting accordingly. Some of us may call it God, others may call it universal laws, or find new ways to explain it.

Hindu Philosophy framework - The 4 stages of life

In Hindu philosophy, life is divided into four stages, known as Ashramas:

• Brahmacharya (Student Life): This stage focuses on education, self-discipline, and learning spiritual and practical knowledge.
• Grihastha (Householder Life): In this phase, individuals marry, raise a family, and contribute to society through work and community service.
• Vanaprastha (Hermit Stage): Marked by a gradual withdrawal from material pursuits, individuals focus on spiritual practice and preparing for the next stage.
• Sannyasa (Renunciation Stage): In this final stage, individuals renounce worldly attachments, dedicate themselves to spiritual goals, and seek liberation (moksha).

Interestingly, while each Ashramas is for ~25 years, different individuals tend to move through the ashramas at a different pace. Someone gets married at 20 thus entering Grihastha early but starts to feel the need for spiritual practice at 55, thus entering Vanaprastha late. Also living to 100 years if more of an exception now, so duration of Ashramas is not as accurate.

If you have made this far, I think you are convinced intellectually that i have something to say which might be useful. So let me get to the point that i have been itching to make while piecing together the above information.

Stitching together the above two frameworks (Maslow, Stages of life) can help us develop deeper appreciation of our professional journey. It can help us accept the importance of fulfilling basic needs before achieving higher-level aspirations.

Evolution of a manager - a professional journey

All of us have been and will be on a journey where we start to work with an existing team or business, or build a new one from scratch, and climb up the corporate and entrepreneurial ladder. Let me try and break down the professional evolution of an individual into Initial, Growth, Mature, and Veteran stage.

Initial Stage: Active Involvement

A manager's journey begins with curiosity and learning, much like a child's obsession with toys. This initial phase parallels Maslow’s physiological needs, where the focus is on acquiring basic skills and knowledge essential for survival and growth in the professional world.

At this stage, a manager actively engages in hands-on tasks, learns the ropes, and builds a foundation of understanding about their role and the organization’s dynamics. It’s a period of intense learning and development, setting the stage for future success. Key responsibilities in this stage can be summarized as below:

• Learning and Development: Focus on acquiring knowledge, skills, and understanding the organization's culture and processes.
• Hands-on Experience: Engage in day-to-day operations, actively solving problems, and directly managing team tasks.
• Building Relationships: Establish strong connections with team members and stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment.

Growth Stage: Engaging and Leading

As the manager grows, their focus shifts towards establishing security and stability, reflecting Maslow’s safety needs or the householder (Grihastha) stage. In this phase, the manager takes on more responsibilities, ensuring the well-being and security of their team. They begin to balance operational tasks with leadership duties, fostering a safe and supportive work environment. Active involvement remains crucial as they work to create reliable processes and a dependable team dynamic. Key responsibilities can be summarized as below:

• Leadership and Execution: Take charge of projects, make strategic decisions, and drive team performance towards achieving goals.
• Mentoring and Coaching: Develop and support team members, helping them grow professionally and personally.
• Balancing Responsibilities: Manage the dual demands of operational work and team leadership, ensuring both efficiency and morale are high.

Mature Stage: Reflective Leadership

The Mature stage, representing mid-life (Vanaprastha), brings a transition from active involvement to a more strategic and reflective role. This stage aligns with Maslow’s esteem needs, where the focus shifts to gaining respect, recognition, and achieving a sense of accomplishment. During this period, the manager’s obsession is with status. They step back from day-to-day operations to focus on strategic oversight, mentorship, and long-term planning. Their role evolves into providing guidance, making high-level decisions, and mentoring emerging leaders. This phase is marked by a reflective approach, leveraging past experiences to shape future strategies. Key responsibilities can be summarized as below:

• Strategic Oversight: Shift focus from daily operations to long-term strategy, guiding the organization’s direction.
• Advisory Role: Serve as a mentor and advisor to emerging leaders, sharing insights and experiences to shape their development.
• Reflecting on Achievements: Evaluate past successes and challenges, using them to inform future decisions and strategies.

Veteran Stage: Legacy and Wisdom

In the Senior stage, the manager enters a phase of pursuit of higher truth, meaning, and legacy, paralleling Maslow’s self-actualization. At this stage, the manager adopts a contemplative and advisory role, focusing on thought leadership, innovation, and ensuring the sustainability of the organization’s values and vision. They delegate responsibilities, empower others, and concentrate on leaving a lasting impact. This phase is about realizing their full potential and contributing to the broader organizational mission, creating a legacy of wisdom and inspiration. Key responsibilities can be summarized as below:

• Delegation and Empowerment: Empower others by delegating responsibilities, fostering autonomy, and encouraging innovation.
• Thought Leadership: Contribute to the organization through thought leadership, sharing wisdom through writing, speaking, or consultancy.
• Focus on Legacy: Concentrate on leaving a lasting impact, ensuring the values and vision of the organization are sustained and evolved.

I know that this is a simplistic view of our professional journey, as each individual is different, with unique style, aspirations, circumstances, and experiences. Also, the stages above will not be exclusive, meaning a great manager will need to act simultaneously with active involvement to engage and lead, and reflect. A mid-level manager will be called upon more for active involvement while a senior level manager will need to leverage their wisdom more and build a sustainable organization and processes.

The fun and liberating part is that management is also a process of self-discovery, so there is no race and each of us have multiple choices to do what fulfills us and ignore or avoid what does not align with our values, aspirations, and personal and management styles. Embracing this journey with mindfulness and a commitment to continuous development can lead to profound fulfillment and impactful leadership.

Hope you enjoyed reading this and it helps you reflect on your own professional journey. I would be happy to provide my perspective on any questions or thoughts that may come to you on this subject.