Managerial Lessons from Lord Ganesha

Prof. Biswajit Satpathy

Every part of the body of Lord Ganesha provides a managerial lesson.

Head: The brain of an elephant is bigger than most animals. Big brain indicates more information processing hence more intelligence. An intelligent man can lead. Hence Lord Ganesha is worshiped first as because He is the most intelligent and wise among all lords. Information properly used gives wisdom.

Never allow mediocrity always aim for excellence.  

Ear: Ears of the Lord are big symbolizing listening skills, so give a patient hearing to every body. Listen everything with a calm mind.

Tongue: Tongue is almost invisible in an elephant’s body, meaning that talk less but listen more. Pay detail attention to everything from small to large. If you talk than walk your talk.

• Speak less and listen more

Vision:  The eyes of an elephant are located on the sides of the head and therefore provide better peripheral vision. See all aspects in details before taking action. Small eyes represent detail investigation.

Trunk: Nose is for breathing and sensing smell. Elephants can smell from a long distance about the presence of Tiger, Man etc. Smell the change before the change occurs. Breath long don’t be in a hurry.   

• Be sensitive to changes

Teeth: Elephant’s teeth indicates keeping up appearances. Elephants have both the trunk and teeth.  It symbolizes the fact that don’t divulge your plan before you act.  Maintain secrecy in strategic issues.

Strike a balance between an extrovert and an introvert personality

Big Stomach: Stomach indicates digestion capability. Digest both appreciation and criticism equally. Don’t react to both. Maintain equanimity (Samatwam)

Maintain Trust with Your Partners

Mouse a Ganesha’s vehicle: Mouse symbolizes that even a rodent can be useful. The strategy should be to derive the most from every available resource how small or insignificant it may be.

Best utilization of the available resources. Get the best out of the waste.

A person embodying such qualities becomes the near and dear of Father and Mother of the Universe — Shiva and Parvathi.