Buddhism and Management – Balamadana

Good morning, or good afternoon.

I know this blog has become a weekly write up. And, there are several reasons for that.

Marcelo is very busy at the moment and has no time really.
Volker has been very busy but hopes to write more often now.

Maybe, for today, I would like to recap on what this blog is about. It is all about sharing thoughts, spiritual methods and how to use Buddhism in today’s world and in management in particular.

The above video shows an intro to Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, a great Buddhist teacher for the modern world.

I have read some books of his and my aim is to revisit passages and thoughts to improve my understanding of Buddhism and, to apply it more into my daily life.

Where do I see Buddhism fitting in these days? I am not 100% sure but Buddhism helps me to appreciate other thoughts, other meanings of life and perspectives. It makes me almost more tolerant towards people – not that I was intolerant.

But just recently I ran into a lot of differences with people and I decided to keep them happy by understanding their thoughts, needs and appreciate their doing. I was happy to share their thoughts and accept their opinion even if they weren’t identical to mine.

Does that mix with Management? Yes, it does. You cannot always force people to understand you or to work your way and you have to accept their way. You have to accept their opinion, and if you fail doing so, then there is another chance coming up. Is there?

What if we decided to only work by passively guiding people into some work that needs to be done and let them fail over again until they learn. Would that be sustainable business? Surely not. But that is not what I am trying to say. I am saying that you have to realise that your opinion is not always the right one or the ONLY right one. And that you have to find a mix of opinions, everyone is comfortable with. According to that mix, you still have to put the overall guideline on them to make sure things are going as planned. This is to ensure things are going the way they should be and you have to overrule people. But, in an understanding way.

This is the way you should think. Let them fail and let them have their opinion. And, if not too far out, let them make their own experience. Then make sure you can guide them to the right outcome and success.

Also, do not forget the other side. Do not treat your business partner in any wrong ways. Treat them with respect and with respect for their money and their ideals.

We will work on that theory and you will hear from me soon.

In the meantime, please leave a comment.

Volker

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Buddhism, Buddhism and Management, change management, geshe kelsang gyatso

Living in change, isn’t it? Constant change!

Marcelo, it was so good to chat to you yesterday and see you back on the blog.

Yes, the internal change. You need to overcome your inner barrier (Germans call it the “Schweinehund” which literally means “pig’s dog”).

I strongly believe that if you change things in your mind, your attitude and approach to things, you are more capable to accept external change and cope with external change also. What I mean by that?

There is constant change around us. Politics, work, life, relationship, advertisement, everyone tries to get your attention. If you do not have the inner attitude and focus on the important issues in life, you cannot cope.

Where does that tie in with change? I believe that we are all exposed to constant change. “Managing at the speed of change” – blog entry 1 and blog entry 2 – is a book and a great title to understand that e.g. management needs to keep up with change. And, your inner attitude and approach to life is your management, your self-management. This self management needs to be ready for life, for the change in life, speed of life/change, e.g. life is change, isn’t it?

I like the idea of having nothing on your mind. Unfortunately I have not reached that point yet. The point where your chagne is a point in time, as your head is empty. Not literally, I mean your mind is focused on one point, “nothing”, and you would not have to worry about anything, no change, not yourself, nothing.

Maybe it is similar to pressing the reset button on the computer. The one that closes everything, saves it and restarts the system. I used to get drunk (not anymore) just to forget and “press the reset button”. Nowadays, I strongly believe that the way you describe is much more effective as you clean your mind and focus on nothing else but yourself without looking at anything else, no disturbance.

Before I drift away from the topic too much, if we look at the overall picture and the appreciation of us just looking on the good things in life, coping with change, would that not be all we need to do? Is the meditation and focusing on a little bit just a bit extra to get a bit closer to where we want to be?

I send you love and kindness, Marcelo. Speak soon.

Your friend,
Volker

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change, change management, inner self, self development