Managers in the greatest epic

We can see different types of managers in Mahabharata.

Bhishma, Dharmaputra (Yudhisthira), Karna, Abhimanyu, Draupadi and the inimitable Lord Krishna himself are quite a few that come to mind.

Bhishma is the perfect example of an upright manager caught in irreconciliable conflicts who was forced to take wrong decisions by forces beyond his control. With Bhisma, his vow of celibacy (personal ethics) takes precedence over everything else, including the public will. He is not bothered about the chaos that will occur in Hastinapur with no one to inherit the throne. His major concern is that his vow must remain intact. Ethics above everything else. Even prior to the Kurukshetra was, he sided with Kauravas, telling his duty is towards the King and the establishment, even if they are in the wrong. Debatable but appreciable.

Yudhisthira is a shining example of managerial wisdom, though he also was compelled to deviate from his principled stand on practical considerations, faced with a ruthless enemy.

Krishna is the perfect leader-manager who kept his eye on the ball till the desired outcome was achieved. He is highly goal oriented and believer of 'end justifies the means' school of thought.

Draupadi is the classical model of a woman powerhouse who kept others motivated till the goal is achieved. Power of Draupadi and her bloody mindedness is well chronicled.

Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, is the dare-devil leader without a business-plan of exit. He fought his way into the chakravyuha, but failed to come out and was brutally cornered and killed by Drona and others.

Karna is a tragic example of a manager who fought his way up the ladder but could not keep up with the pressure and tensions and met a tragic end. But he is the perfect number two. His loyalty to Duryodhana is unmatched. He refused the crown offered by Kunthi Devi prior to the war, chosing the loyalty for his friend over power. Karna is a complex combination of Satvik, Rajassik and Tamassik characters manifest in all of us. His satvik quality is visible in his ability to give 'danam' or alms. He never refuses anyone whatever they ask, even at the risk of losing his life. His Rajassik quality is in his ability to fight. The greatest Archer of his time, even better than Arjuna. But he allowed his Tamassik qualities to rule him. Blind loyalty, inability to accept slight and criticism plus a lack of bigger vision for himself. That was the tragedy of Karna.

Epics teach us many things. It is said what is not in management is not in Mahabharatha and vice versa. One only has to look carefully.