Leadership and Management Theories in Indic Traditions

This article aims to rediscover some key aspects of leadership and management latent in ancient Indian secular texts of statecraft and governance that are relevant in contemporary times. These include leadership essentials such as self-control in order to acquire the habit of self-discipline; basics of education as it pertains to sharpening the intellect and a spirit for enquiry and thirst for knowledge; the principles of counsel and breakdown of a task to be performed for effective delivery and implementation of a policy or plan; and some attributes of the successful art of persuasion and communication skills. Many of these traditions, because of their enduring nature, are also applicable to the military.