"Karma Capitalism" & The Enlightened Business
The recent BusinessWeek article (October 30 2007, pp 84-92) titled Karma Capitalism asks "Has the Bhagavad Gita replaced The Art of War as the hip new ancient Eastern management?"
My Indian colleagues and I don't see it this way. This isn't a fad, or a business mantra.
What we are seeing is a new force in the history of capitalism. A capitalism which acknowledges its debt to society at large. Whatever we choose to call it, this enlightened capitalism is not going to go away. It is simply the only sustainable way forward.
In the article, I'm quoted as saying: "Karma is a principle of action. Innovation is about creating change, not reacting to change." What they didn't quote me on was dharma - the privileges, duties, conduct and obligations of the individual as a member of the community. If individuals have a responsibility to society, why shouldn't business?
Like my grandfather before me, we believe in the good in all people and have a genuine respect for the individual. Like him, we are helping leaders set their sights higher than they previously envisioned.