Shivajayanti in Aurumine Naturals Pvt Ltd
The commemoration of the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj was initiated by the Mahatma Phule in 1870. The first Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti was celebrated in Pune, marking the beginning of this tradition. Subsequently, Bal Gangadhar Tilak played a pivotal role in advancing this observance.
Every year Aurumine Naturals celebrates Shivjayanti in different ways. Here is the picture of Raigad Visit.
On this auspicious occasion of birth anniversary of King Shivaji, we would love to dedicate our learnings from his life to our colleagues in HR fraternity.
King Shivaji (19 Feb 1630 to 3 Apr 1680), the name that does not require any introduction on the planet earth! The great maratha warrior, his life and achievements are world known. Institutions, scholars, researchers and corporates have been studying King Shivaji’s journey of building a freedom centric empire, he called it ‘Swarajya – selfkingdom’. He dreamed for common people, farmers and everyone around him to live a better and fearless life.
On this Shijayanti, we wanted to know how much our people are aware about our Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. So, we came with the unique idea of employee engagement activity which was ‘Quiz Competition’. We all are hearing different inspirational stories of Shivaji Maharaj from our childhood. It was the time to show how much we know him. We framed a questionnaire of 30 questions along with options. We asked these questions to interested participants. The person who will answer maximum questions in 2 minutes would win. After successful completion of quiz competition we announced winners form 3 different categories of staff, workers and operators. Mr. Sagar Thorat and Mrs. Sangita Ugale won this competition.
On this occasion, we would like to explore HR leader in King Shivaji and his way of looking at various human resource aspects while building the empire from scratch. Lets see why King Shivaji was the great HR leader.
Creating a Context for people
King Shivaji with his close and most committed childhood friends took an oath in the temple of lord Shiva for creating ‘Swarajya’ in any condition.He always used to say – “Swarajya” is God’s desire and expectation from us. People connected and committed their life to this cause; it was God’s work for them!
Lesson – creating a context for collaboration and giving it a great purpose brings people together, inspires and then they go beyond ordinary.
Developing accountability among people
There are no examples that people from his team competed with each other, no one ever said that it is a not part of my duty and why should do it? You will find people taking larger responsibilities, risky and challenging missions and moving ahead. Collaboration, passion, and taking ownership to make things happen are visible roots of culture he created.
Utmost respect to human values, integrity and commitment to ‘Swarajya’ are the key values he promoted and appreciated.
Lesson: Creating an accountability that would inspire every single person to connect and contribute to the mission.
Rules and Policies Making
For a rape case proved, he ordered to cut hands and legs of an accused. He measured land, decided and fixed taxes for farmers based on yield. He ordered not to collect tax from a farmer if he did not have any yield. He ordered his army to pay and buy food and feed for their horses, use farmers pathways for horses and not to misuse powers on anyone.
Lesson: People should be clearly communicated through decisions and actions about what is acceptable and what is punishable.
Talent Acquisition in line of mission
King Shivaji had a great ability to assess and spot the human talent quickly. He took no time to appreciate their capabilities and included them in his team. When he visited villages, met people, he used to observe young boys of farmers who are good in health and converse with them. These boys felt proud about king talking to them directly and they sold out on his charismatic and inspirational leadership style. That’s how lots of these young boys connected with King Shivaji within no time.
Lesson: Leader has to have sense to spot right people, observe and adopt them quickly for right positioning. Create a place where good people should get inspired to come voluntarily and work.
Performance Management
Choosing right person for right job at right place was King Shivaji’s great HR quality. He decided to take Bajiprabhu Deshpande on Panhalgad to Vishalgad move, he assigned Netoji Palkar for loot of Surat, Tanaji Malusure for Kondana fort and several such allocations can be quoted here. His ability to sense capability of people and assign them a task was beyond measures. King Shivaji would not just communicate the task and result to be achieved but also give detailed context about why, what and how of the subject.
Lesson – Leader should understand the strength and weaknesses of his team and show the correct direction.
Planning and execution of task and responsibilities
Netoji Palkar was sent to Surat for studying and collecting information about the place, business trades and how they can get loot from there. Surat was business hub of that time and very rich in money, gold, diamonds, cloths, dry fruits, spices etc. Netoji spent almost one month in Surat in different attires so that local soldiers of Mughals do not catch him. After a month he reported back to Shivaji and the plan for attacking Surat was designed by Netoji and Shivaji. They got huge loot from this attack at absolutely no loss on their account. This is classic example of flawless planning and execution of task and responsibilities. Netoji was given higher responsibilities further and promoted in hierarchy.
Lesson: As a leader, you need to give great purpose and mission to people. Identify and assign responsibilities to capable people, work with them on planning and be part of the execution closely. Then one does not have to manage performance but just inspire people.
Appreciation
Lesson: Appreciating and rewarding for right behaviours and attitudes is more important than just results.
There was a milkmaid named Hirkani who use to come in the morning to fort and sell her milk and milk products, and would go back to her village down the hill before sun set and the main door of fort was closed. One day she was late and the main door of fort was closed, she had a small baby at home and had to reach home anyhow. Hirkani tried her best to convince security guards but rule is rule, door was not opened. After a while she went back inside the fort, guards felt relaxed. Next day the main door opened in the morning and Hirkani entered fort with fresh milk & products from main door. The guards stopped her and asked how did you go out last night? We did not allow you to exit and you had gone back to the fort. She said, I had my little baby waiting for me at home, my love for baby took me out. They arrested her and presented her in front of Shivaji. King also asked her about it, without using main door no one can enter or exit from fort, how did you go out? Hirkani said, King I am aware of this fort well and I know each and every corner. There is one corner where the wall of the fort is less in height, I climbed it and got down the other side, furtherwith the help of trees, rocks and my desire to reach home I made it back home. Shivaji requested her to show that corner of the wall, and after assessing the case he immediately order his leader to raise the height of the wall, and well-appreciated Hirkani for pointing this out. Gave her gifts, cloths, gold coins and named that spot as ‘Hirkani Tower’.
We believe, King Shivaji’s life is not only a great case study but also an inspiring role model of leadership. It’s a paradigm for building a great organization, team of passionate people to achieve the unbelievable and extraordinary.
