Title: Life skills from Bhagavad Gita: a vital enabler for leadership excellence in pandemic times and the world beyond

Authors: Monika Bansal; Surbhi Kapur

Addresses: Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana 121004, India ' Faculty of Management Studies, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, India

Abstract: Bhagavad Gita, one of the most important Indian Upanishads that imparts prudent and practical Vedic knowledge and wisdom for leaders, and explains how to best cope with the harsh realities of life, instability, fickleness and challenges that the world poses in personal and professional life. As the corona virus outbreak has brought with it a plethora of unpleasant side effects, multiple dilemmas and anxieties, leaders around the world have realised that life skills like empathy, reliable communication, adaptive agility and emotional intelligence are the abilities that would help them cope with the demands of this capricious world. This paper attempts to identify and interpret the meaning of life skills that can be found in the Gita and the relevance thereof to the leaders today, through a philosophical analysis of the ancient Indian literature, additionally providing the most pertinent practical implications from the Gita for leaders, governments and corporate in COVID times.

Keywords: life skills; Bhagavad Gita; leadership; COVID-19; inner growth; spiritual intelligence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMCP.2022.120549

International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, 2022 Vol.15 No.1, pp.80 - 95

Received: 19 Jun 2021
Accepted: 12 Jul 2021
Published online: 25 Jan 2022 *

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