Lesson: Even though Chanakya was reputed and famous in Takshila, it does not

mean he would be famous in Patliputra too. So his asking for the debate is
ustified to prove his worth. Similarly, a !high performer" in one team or
#ompany needs to prove his worth in a new environment to gain the same tag.
Chanakya was prepared to fa#e it. $ut he #ould try a different approa#h for the
desired result. %n the #orporate world, referral plays a maor role in hiring
key senior employees. %f any of the key ministers of the &andas had referred or
introdu#ed him, he might have got the position.
Lesson: 'earlessness, perseveran#e and patien#e are the key attributes of any
leader. This helps in setting lofty goals and fuels the determination to a#hieve
them by e(e#uting against the well)laid)out plan.
*nother great +uality e(hibited by the leader is in !spotting" talents and
grooming them to take bigger #hallenges.
Lesson: * ba#kground #he#k is re+uired for most hires, but a detailed one is a
must for senior positions to ensure right fit. *t a very senior level, where
information regarding tender, bid, intelle#tual property and other trade se#rets
is involved, #ompany must take steps to prote#t it.
,any #ompanies ask people to sign the non)dis#losure agreement and, at times,
a#tivate spe#ial #lauses restraining them from oining rival or #ompeting
#ompanies for a few years.
Lesson: * pea#eful handover to the new management is desirable as it saves the
#ompany from infighting that #ould weaken it. %t would be faster and fruitful to
s#ale new heights from a stable #ompany rather than a wre#ked one. %t helped
,aurya kings to rea#h new heights faster not only due to their great leadership
skills, but also due to pea#eful transition.
Lesson: -ne needs to perform and show results to be #onsidered as a key
resour#e. .ey people are always in demand, but more so during organisation"s
transformation.
People are the main asset. Their knowledge and e(pertise #an provide a big leap
to any a#tivity. They should be retained. ,anagers should not be biased in
working with !high performers" even if they used to work with their adversaries
in the past, provided the person maintains loyalty and #onfidentiality.
Top performers are attra#ted by lofty visions/goals and are willing to fa#e
diffi#ult #hallenges.
Lesson: %n a healthy organisation, diversified and divergent views #an e(ist.
-ne needs to have people with great skills who #an deliver better results by
having a good team work and right division of work.
Peer pressure helps in e(tra#ting best from the people, but it should be managed
well to avoid destru#tive peer relationship. %f team work is be#oming diffi#ult,
the leader should #learly identify roles based on strengths and in su#h a way
that there is minimal overlap to avoid #onfli#t. Team with high performers helps
in better results and also #ushions attrition.
Lesson: The important lesson here is a long)standing ally and staun#h supporter
of the ,aurya empire was mistrusted by the king without understanding the
#omplete pi#ture. * vital resour#e like Chanakya was lost due to this la#k of
trust.
,anagers should demonstrate maturity by having an honest one)on)one with the
employee and listening to the other side of the story with an open mind before
taking any drasti# step. %t takes time to build the trust, but it takes a moment
to destroy it.