Management with Chanakya’s way: For Aspiring Project Managers

Uprightness, Friendliness, and Firmness of Devotion While Dealing With Others: He should be a people's man. Management is the ability to get the work done from the right people.”

As expert in Project Management, I find myself drawn to the ancient wisdom of Chanakya. To give a context about Chanakya, he was the Chief advisor in the court of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan empire. He was also a teacher, philosopher, and possibly the very first economist of India, whose teachings in the Arthashastra offer profound insights into governance, economics, and management. While Chanakya's teachings were rooted in ancient politics, I've discovered that they hold valuable lessons for modern project managers like myself.

I have always been intrigued by the Chanakya’s intelligence and philosophy. He is author of two famous books, Chanakya Neeti & Kautaliya’s Arthashastra. I remember listening to Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast where Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai mentioned that, "Chanakya Neeti was for masses and Arthashastra was for classes."

To simplify,

Chanakya Neeti discusses lifestyle. For a common individual, it is rather helpful. It contains a number of sutras that are based on human behavior and can be used to study human behavior. This book should be read by everyone once in their lives to help them make wise decisions on what is right and wrong. In contrast,

Arthashastra consists of a king's attributes, the kingdom's organizational structure, the administration of military supplies, and a spy network. In Arthashastra, Chanakya provides a thorough illustration of each of these ideas.

I still recollect that as a child the first time I got to know about Chanakya was through NDTV Imagine’s show Chandragupta Maurya. Even though the show was on Chandragupta and his journey, I was impressed by Chanakya’s character because he was the mastermind behind building the Mauryan Empire. I was curious to explore Arthashastra by Chanakya and how we can put his philosophy when it comes to management, the book was written between the 2nd century BCE and 3rd century CE but its rules and values are prominent even today and can be undoubtedly applied in Management.

Let's explore some key management principles from Chanakya. Here are some key principles from Chanakya's teachings that resonate with my journey:

1. Vision and Strategy: Chanakya once said, "A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and honest people are screwed first." This quote reminds me of the need for strategic thinking and the importance of balancing honesty with pragmatism in my project management approach.

2. Leadership and Decision-Making: Another insightful quote from Chanakya is, "Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be, and Will I be successful." This quote underscores the importance of thoughtful decision-making, a skill that is essential for project managers facing complex projects and strategic choices.

3. Team Building and Motivation: Chanakya's wisdom, "The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions," reminds me of the impact of my actions on my team. As a project manager, motivating and inspiring my team members will be crucial for achieving project success.

4. Adaptability and Change Management: "A man is great by deeds, not by birth," Chanakya once said. This quote highlights the importance of actions over circumstances, a lesson that resonates with me as I learn to adapt to changes and challenges in my projects.

5. Ethics and Integrity: Finally, Chanakya's teaching, "As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it," underscores the importance of facing challenges with courage and integrity. These qualities will define my leadership as a project manager.

Chanakya's teachings offer timeless wisdom for aspiring project managers like myself. By incorporating these principles into my approach, I aim to inspire my team, navigate challenges, and achieve success in my future projects.