Revisiting Tamil literature: a call for integrating ancient wisdom into modern management

As an Indian Foreign Service officer, my journey across the world has been an experiment in the art of adaptation. My professional life, characterized by frequent relocations, has taught me that in a perpetually shifting and evolving ecosystem, change management is not a luxury but a survival necessity. One must learn, adapt and move forward. While I move on with different assignments around the world in diverse environments such as Beijing, Hong Kong, the Fiji Islands in the Pacific, the USA, Taipei and the Southern Caucasus, I have observed the towering presence of global corporations and the delicate emergence of startups. In my recent past avatar, I was heading the division that handles more than 600 infrastructure projects in 68 countries with a USD 33 billion outlay.Despite the forced nomadic life, my academic interest in management continued. With an MBA from the USA, a Master’s in Human Resource Management, a Master’s in Public Administration and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Communication, my readings in Tamil literature, even for management insights, also kept pace with the demands of my work and life.Before we get into the need to revisit Tamil literature, it would be helpful to refresh our memory about management as an academic subject. The discipline of management, as we know it today, is a relatively recent construct, born from the throes of the industrial revolution. It came into being when colonialism had currency and slavery was not far in the distant past. This historical backdrop reveals how the human element was often reduced to mere numbers, a practice that persisted far too long. As industrial psychology emerged, it sought to reintroduce humanity into the mechanized world of work, striving to balance the equation between human nature and quantitative metrics, reclaiming the soul of management.Long before management became an academic discipline, humanity navigated its complexities with wisdom passed through generations, often encapsulated in literature. Tamil literature, in particular, offers a treasure trove of practical tools that provide beyond the generic truisms, noble thoughts and prayers. The management thoughts in Tamil literature are distinct by their practical and earthly approach.Growing up immersed in Tamil literature, I discovered its profound relevance to management. Resisting the urge to dive into specific examples of Tamil managerial wisdom, which is beyond the scope and limits of this article, I underline the vast resourcefulness of this literary heritage. The 18 Greater Texts of Sangam literature (Patiṉeṇmēlkaṇakku, comprising 8 Anthologies [Eṭṭuttokai] and the Ten Idylls [Pattuppāṭṭu]) compiled by a group of scholars more than 2000 years ago) alongside the 18 Lesser Texts (Patiṉeṇkīḻkaṇakku, comprising 18 books which have relatively shorter poems), present a wealth of knowledge waiting to be explored. Thirukkural, a gem from the later 18 anthologies, alone provides enough material for years of study, illustrating the depth and breadth of Tamil literature’s contribution to management thought – a contribution that spans centuries, yet remains relevant.Providing a glimpse into the insights of Thirukkural might not be out of place. The answers it provides are remarkably direct and practical, offering wisdom that resonates even in the context of modern management. For instance, one couplet cautions against a common pitfall in today’s corporate world: valuing personal loyalty over professional knowledge and skill.Another couplet serves as a checklist for project preparation, emphasizing the importance of thorough planning:When it comes to selecting an advisor, Thirukkural provides clear guidance on the essential qualities to consider:These qualities are not merely generic traits but are tailored to the role, as highlighted by another couplet that delineates the specific attributes required for a negotiator:The distinction between these lists illustrates the importance of aligning qualities with the job profile. Finally, when it comes to delegation, Thirukkural advises a thoughtful approach:This couplet encapsulates the essential considerations for effective delegation, ensuring that the right person is entrusted with the right responsibility.Hence, Tamil literature stands apart in its contribution to management, offering insights that are both virtuous and grounded in empirical wisdom. There exists a false dichotomy between empirical evidence and traditional wisdom; in truth, they complement each other.The essence of Tamil literature lies in its seamless fusion of practical wisdom with ethical considerations, making it a unique resource for modern management. To truly benefit from this literary heritage, we must carefully extract actionable insights, organize them into relevant categories and apply them with discernment. The challenge lies in adapting ancient principles to contemporary contexts, recognizing that some ideas may not be directly applicable in today’s world, but many can be adapted with wisdom.Fields like decision-making, human resource management, leadership and business strategy can greatly benefit from the wisdom embedded in Tamil literature. These ancient texts offer guidance on a wide range of managerial topics, from ethical governance to business resilience, ultimately integrating the balanced management thought of Tamil literature with modern theories promises to enrich global management practices and creating a more holistic approach to leadership and governance.The enduring value of Tamil literature’s management wisdom is yet to be interwoven with contemporary management theories, offering a richer, more nuanced approach to global practices.