Thought leadership

I was reading Kumaramangalam Birla’s Viewpoint on Thought leadership in the Economic times this morning, and have come up with my viewpoints on the same. 

Thought leadership comes from those who endeavor to think. It is not just one of the numerous management jargons that echo the class rooms of a B school. We have seen so many concepts coming into foray, but how many of them have come from India? We Indians are busy trying to survive or making money as if there is no tomorrow. Forty years since the IIMs opened their doors, we have come a long way. There is a rising demand for B schools with the prime objective to live a better life, because our government cannot take care of our basic necessities. In our quest for more money, we use management degree as a passport to a better life, not to hone our skills. Undoubtedly this education teaches a lot that can be potentially used in all aspects of life; but how many of us use it? I have seen B school grads doing menial tasks, which even a barely literate person can do. Thoughts (and the capability to think) go down the drain.

Parental and societal pressures have a huge impact on the young minds that are ready to do whatever pays. Why this attitude? That’s because we live in a country sans opportunities. 

I was reading an article that mentioned that a passing out IIM graduate makes more than the director himself. Where can one find serious academicians? There are many capable individuals in this country, but it has to be seen what inspires them! There is hardly anything except prestige, which takes a backseat in this era of double digit inflation. 

That does not mean to convey that only academicians can have fruitful thoughts. Anyone with the right frame of mind can have it. Things will change, but it needs time. What is important for the professionals is to think about what they do and how better it can be done, rather than working like a robot day in and day out.