Management theories by Gandhi

Walk the Talk - Management Theory by Gandhi

On the eve of the 64th Independence Day of India, my heart couldn't resist but think about one of the greatest architects for India's freedom, Mahatma Gandhi. In his book " My experiments with Truth" Gandhi highlighted many of his experiments and struggles. 


Just wanted to take 2 such instances and explain how Gandhi, greatest embodiment of truth and Ahmisa, truly practiced many of today's management theories


Instance 1:  Gandhi realized that people at the bottom of the pyramid were in need of freedom more than anybody. In order to understand  that, Third class travel was the mirror to the plight of Indians. Gandhi's train travel was only in III class..
Managment Theory:Jack Trout & Al Ries in their book Bottom Up Marketing highlight " Your desk is the most dangerous place to watch the world". To know your consumers,go to field and understand their real needs & wants.


Instance 2:Gandhi's first major struggle in the country was stagged on the soil of Champaran district in Bihar in 1917 in connection with indigo plantation.The planters resorted to inhuman and illegal methods in order to get indigo cultivated at the lowest cost. Rajkumar Shuka approached Gandhi to resolve this issue. Gandhi's reaction " I can give no opinion unless I see it myself".  Gandhi described his presence as a genuine searcher of the down-to-earth facts. He along with his friends went to the place of action to collect objective information before they came to a conclusion
Management Theory: Go to the market to seek information and not to seek confirmation of your thoughts. Any preconceived notions could color your thoughts which could adversely affect the inferences you can draw from the market.


 Gandhi lived in strict accordance with Satya and Ahmisa no matter what the situation was.... It is worthwhile  to look at Gandhi's actions at different compelling situations. Am sure we  infer many such management theories that are in vogue..


As management experts say "Walk the Talk"..