Principles of Role-Modeling from Indian Management Thought: Thirukkural

Abstract

Headless body is dead in the case of all living organisms. The quality of the head determines the efficiency and effectiveness of the body. This is truer even in the case of artificial organisms like companies or countries. A firm will struggle and soon die without leadership. The quality of the leadership determines the efficiency, effectiveness and growth of the firm especially in the context of increased globalization. The Management literature prescribes various leadership styles for the effectiveness of the organization. Indian scholars seem to prescribe role modeling as a strategic leadership style in Thirukkural and the Bhagavat Gita. The guidelines to play role modelship seem to be missing in the literature. This paper attempts to present a set of principles or guidelines to play the role-modelship from Thirukkural, an Indian contribution to management wisdom more-than-2000-year ago!

Keywords: Role Modeling, Indian Management Thought, Thirukkural