The Four Goals of Leadership in Business

 

The Four Goals of Life are a Vedic model for living in a balanced and efficient manner; they offer us a roadmap addressing any activity we might engage in.  Through many years as a counselor, educator, supervisor, and writer I have found that every interaction I have had in my own business, as well as when I have worked for others, has involved at least one or more of these goals and most have involved all of them. 

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The Four Goals are Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.  We might consider that Dharma is what we do, Artha is the resources available to us, Kama relates to our desires and relationships, and Moksha is the transformation brought about when we accomplish and sustain balance in the other three goals.

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By understanding the goal of Dharma we find clarity of purpose; our Dharma is the reason we do the things we do.  Dharma includes our goals and the path we are on.  Life has given me many opportunities to express myself as a leader and coach.  It is my Dharma to write and assist others in the manifestation of their Dharma.  Helping others is a natural activity for me because I am so willing to learn for myself how to navigate the tricky rapids and riptides of being part of a business, wearing a body, and creating a fulfilling life.

 

The ability to recognize the internal and external resources of Artha allows us to understand what we have available to work with, it is our True Wealth.  A Master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology with a specialization in Yoga Psychology have given me the tools to keep myself balanced during stressful times, along with the compassion and patience to coach others as they create ballast in their life. Through years of experience I have acquired leadership skills, become skillful at listening and communicating with authenticity and understanding, and have learned efficiency in my work, enabling me to optimize my efforts, stay organized, and remain on task.

 

Kama, or the relationships we have with others, includes the understanding that a business is a synergistic organism, and greater than the sum of its parts.  Through Kama we work together as part of a team, respectfully knowing that we each have our roles to play in order to bring about the greatest good for the whole.  Kama encourages the right use of power in order that all team members are empowered to bring their personal best to their role in the business.  It is also the relationship we maintain with ourselves, our commitment to quality, our respect for the time and contribution of all who are bringing their efforts to the work, and our desire for an outcome of excellence along with personal, professional, and Spiritual growth.

 

Moksha is typically understood as a realization of the greater Self underlying all of life, or enlightenment.  In business we might think of it as the outcome or goal we are striving towards.  It is what we accomplish when the other goals have been met.  We begin with our purpose, utilize our resources and relationships, and then achieve our goal.  It is the transformation that occurs as a result of our efforts.  While the other goals may be able to stand alone, or be addressed separately, Moksha never can as it is the result of interdependence and commitment to purpose.

 

Using these Four Goals as a model for business, and for life, allows us to understand and replicate our achievements, take stock and learn from our struggles, and recognize how to make our creativity even more efficient and productive.  I have used this model successfully in all areas of my life in order to better understand and recognize personal challenges as well as opportunities for growth. I’ve found that paying attention to how these goals are manifesting and evolving in my work and personal life enhances my creativity, compassion, and drive for excellence.  They allow me a view of a bigger picture so that I don’t become stuck in minutia; instead allowing me to organize my endeavors to enhance efficiency, teamwork, and achievement of the desired outcome.

 

To learn more about the Four Goals check out my book 'The Four Goals of Life: A Survival Guide for the Kali Yuga'

Cynkay Morningsong, M.A. ©2012