Management Learnings

Once upon a time, there lived a Sarpanch (chief of the village) in a small village. Though it was a small village, the Sarpanch was known as 'The Best Adviser' in the periphery of the village. 'Everything will go well, if you follow his advice', was the belief people used to carry about him. His son, who had just returned from the nearby city after completing his education, was observing his father since his return. One day, a person came to the Sarpanch and narrated about the proposed marriage of his daughter with a suitable boy in the other village. He explained all the details and also mentioned that they have decided to go ahead. But wanted some final advice from the Sarpanch. The Sarpanch listened to him and told him that whatever he had thought is perfect and he must go ahead with his plan. The person was very happy while going back. After a while another person came to him and asked for the advice about what kind of farming he should think of, this season. T...

Tenaliram was a wizard in the courtroom of King Krishnadevrai of Vijayanagaram. He used advise the King in a witty manner and also used to solve some tricky issues coming in the courtroom, that too in a very witty manner. Once a gentleman, named Atibuddhi, comes to the courtroom, claiming to be the master in every possible art, music, sport, literature and what not. He challenged the King that let anyone in your empire perform anything, which he can't perform. If Atibuddhi is defeated, he will give 10,000 gold coins to the person. But if Atibuddhi succeeds or if nobody challenges him, then the King will have to give him a surrender note in writing. In support of his statement, he showed lot many such surrender notes, taken from various kings. In those days, giving such surrender note was considered to the most shameful and embarrassing for the King. The whole courtroom was tensed. Nobody was daring to challenge Atibuddhi as everybody was already knowing about him. The King was...

Aesop was the favorite slave of his owner. His owner was fully aware of Aesop's capabilities and always used to rely on him in the situation of crisis. His owner was a businessman and so used to throw lot of parties for government officers, customers and other elite people in the society. In order to get his job done, he used to ensure that all these people are best taken care of. One of such regular invitees was a bit cranky. So far he was holding an obliging position, he used to demand whatever he wants. Once he asked Aesop's owner to cook a dish made from the best thing in the world. The owner fell back on Aesop to sort out the matter. Aesop cooked absolutely tasty dish made with the tongues of bulls, goats and sheep. The cranky invitee was very happy. The owner was very happy too. After few days, the same cranky guest asked for the dish made of the worst thing in the world. Aesop cooked the same dish and served. The guest and the owner were obviously wild at Aesop. ...

The Begum of Shahenshah Akbar always used to wonder that why Bribal is so favorite of her husband. She felt that her brother Sherkhan was much worthier of becoming the Vazir (Prime Minister) in Akbar's courtroom. Often she used to pester her husband to remove Birbal and appoint her brother Sherkhan as the Vazir. Annoyed by her persistence, one day Akbar asks Birbal to step down for few days and appoints Sherkhan as the Vazir.  After few days, when three of them were sitting in the garden, Akbar hears the bells ringing. He sends Sherkhan to see what they are about. He runs out, comes back and informs that about 50 bullock carts are going. Akbar further asks, what are they carrying? Sherkhan shunts and informs they are carrying rice. At what rate? Next by Akbar. Now Sherkhan was too tired to run out and come back. In arrives Birbal at the point. Akbar asks Birbal about why the bells are ringing. Birbal answers that the bells were of about 50 bullock carts, carrying very high ...