 Definition of a ‘Manager’

M – MIND OF MAN
A – AWARENESS OF ATMA
N – NATURE OF NATIONS
A – ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENT
G – GUIDELINES FOR GOODNESS
E – ENQUIRY INTO ETHOS
R – ROLE OF RULES

Mind of Man
A Manager should have the ‘Mind of a Man’. What does this mean? One
should always think ‘I am a man’. This involves thinking for others like, ‘I
have a problem, and I suffer for it.’ Similarly, if another person has a
problem, he also would suffer like me. ‘If someone troubles me, I feel hurt.
Similarly, if I trouble another person, he would also feel hurt like me.’ This is
the meaning of having the ‘Mind of Man’. Thinking that my problem is mine
and his problem is his, is the nature of the animal mind. The principles of
mind are common for all. If your boss abuses you, you feel hurt. Similarly,
your subordinate will feel hurt if you abuse him. As such, one should use
one’s authority in relation to work and not on the individual. Thus, the first
important aspect of a Manager is to how this ‘Mind of Man’.

Awareness of Atma
What does Atma mean? As per the scriptural declarations, ‘From sky comes
the wind, from wind comes fire, from fire comes water and from water comes
earth’. However, for this sky, there must be some basis – that is the Atma.
Making Atma as the basis, these five elements (earth, water, fire, wind and
ether) have manifested themselves in the form of the world. There is no
place without these five elements. Hence, there is no place without the
Atma. It is thus the same Atma which dwells in every form of creation
including human beings. This is verily Divinity. A Manager must be aware of
this principle of ‘Unity of Creation’ that it is verily the same Atma present in
all including himself/herself.

Nature of Nations
Bharat is a nation. America is a nation. England is a nation. Russia is a
nation. America has an American nature, and similarly each country has its
own nature. We should not incorporate in our country, another country’s
nature. People who want to do business in India should have the nature of an
Indian nation. We are born in Bharat. We have to develop a nature
appropriate to Bharat - our nation. What is the nature of the nation? As the
scriptures declare, ‘All Indians should always speak the truth, follow the path
of Dharma and live with integrity and morality’. A Manager must hence be
conscious of the nature of his/her nation.
Aspects of Environment
What is environment? It relates to the conditions. It can be the political,
spiritual or physical environment. For example, what is the type of physical
environment required for a business or an industry? It should be one that is
related to business and its activities. For example, for cotton mills there
should be a wet environment. If it has a dry environment, it is not conducive.
Also, the corporate organisation should be conscious of its impact on
environment in terms of pollution – water, air, noise, soil and so on and
should ensure that it does not harm the environment through any of the
ways.
What type of an environment should man have? For this, man should look
into the aspects of environment. What does ‘Aspects of Environment’ mean?
The environment which is suited to man and which fosters human nature
should be there i.e. good company. We should develop an environment that
fosters human nature.

Guidelines for Goodness

How to frame these Guidelines of Goodness? We have to follow the pure
feelings coming from our heart as guidelines, that is called conscience. We
should learn to follow the dictates of our conscience. One’s conscience will
give one goodness. That conscience is God. Whatever feelings we get, if we
discriminate between good and bad, right and wrong, and then follow it, that
itself becomes goodness. So, in Guidelines of Goodness we should follow our
conscience. In all occasions of dilemmas in decision making, a Manager
should follow these Guidelines for Goodness.

Enquiry into Ethos

What is meant by Ethos? That which has come from Itihasa (history) is Ethos.
What is meant by Itihasa? It is the history of ideal and noble men. What is
meant by an ideal? It means following morality and truth without giving up
integrity. The people who have led such great lives are called selfless
workers. Where there is selfishness, there is no place for truth and morality.
If one takes such selfless people as ideal, then our lives also become ideal.
There are many examples of such ideal men in history of our country such as
Rama, Krishna and Yudhisthira from our epics and great leaders like Shivaji
and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose of recent times. By following people of
integrity and idealism, their qualities are reflected in our lives. That will be
for the good and welfare of the world at large. All these noble men spent
their lives based on truth and morality and without any trace of selfishness.
The lives of these people are sacred. Thus, by understanding the lives of
these great people, we can lead our lives in a proper manner. A Manager
must enquire into the Ethos i.e. the history of his great motherland and try to
emulate the ideal set by the noble men of all times. This would benefit
him/her immensely.
Role of Rules
What role do these rules play? Without violating, changing, manipulating or
creating any conflict in conscience, rules should be followed. A Manager
should understand the Role of Rules and try to be an exemplary citizen.

These seven principles must be followed properly by all Managers. The

person who understands the essence of these seven principles becomes not
just a factory manager but also a universal manager.