The Tale of Vikramadhitya and the Demon: Management Lessons from Ancient India
Once upon a time, in the ancient city of Ujjain, there ruled a wise king named Vikramadhitya. His reputation for fairness and intelligence spread far and wide, and people from neighboring kingdoms sought his counsel.
One day, a mysterious sage arrived at the royal court. He was no ordinary sage; he possessed mystical powers and had a peculiar request. He asked King Vikramadhitya to retrieve a corpse hanging from a tree in a nearby cremation ground.
Undeterred by the eerie task, King Vikramadhitya set out on his mission. He reached the cremation ground at midnight and he found the corpse swaying gently in the moonlight. As he approached, the demon inside the body spoke:
“King Vikramadhitya, I am a cursed soul. My name is Betal, and I was once a powerful sorcerer. Long ago, I angered a celestial being, who condemned me to this fate. If you carry me back to your palace without uttering a word, I will share with you a valuable secret.”
Vikramadhitya agreed, hoisted the corpse onto his shoulder, and began the journey back. But as he walked, he couldn’t contain his curiosity. He thought about the secret the demon promised and wondered how it could benefit his kingdom.
Betal echoed, “King, you’ve broken our pact by speaking. Now I shall return to the tree, and you must fetch me again.”
Undeterred, Vikramadhitya retrieved the corpse once more. This cycle repeated—Vikramadhitya carrying Betal, Betal revealing a secret, and Vikramadhitya breaking the silence. Each time, the demon returned to the tree.
The secrets Betal shared were invaluable: hidden treasures, strategic insights, and mystical knowledge. Yet Vikramadhitya’s curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn’t resist asking questions.
Finally, after countless loops, Vikramadhitya realized the demon’s game. Betal was trapped in an infinite cycle, and the only way to break it was to remain silent throughout the journey.
On their next attempt, Vikramadhitya clenched his teeth, refusing to speak. Betal fumed but couldn’t escape. When they reached the palace, the demon revealed the ultimate secret: the location of a celestial gem that could grant any wish.
Vikramadhitya obtained the gem, but he didn’t use it for personal gain. Instead, he used its power to benefit his people, ensuring prosperity and justice throughout his kingdom.
Management Lessons from this captivating story
1. Leadership Resilience
Just as Vikramadhitya perseveres through each trial, leaders must remain resilient in the face of adversity. Challenges will arise, but it’s essential to stay focused, adapt, and find creative solutions.
2. Problem-Solving Agility
The demon’s riddles demand quick thinking and adaptability. Similarly, agile leaders must navigate complex problems, pivot when necessary, and encourage innovative thinking within their teams.
3. Balancing Confidence and Humility
Vikramadhitya’s confidence is unwavering, yet he remains humble. Effective leaders strike a balance between self-assuredness and openness to feedback, fostering a collaborative environment.
4. Risk Assessment and Decision-Making
Vikramadhitya’s choices impact his fate. Leaders face decisions daily—weighing risks, considering consequences, and making informed choices. The demon’s riddles mirror these high-stakes scenarios.
5. Learning from Failure
Vikramadhitya’s setbacks provide valuable lessons. Leaders should embrace failure as a stepping stone to growth, encouraging experimentation and learning from mistakes.
Product Management lessons
1. Silence holds power
As product managers, we should actively listen, recognizing that understanding our users, their needs and their challenges are crucial. By combining both quantitative and qualitative data, we gain a comprehensive view. Relying solely on one type of input risks making uninformed decisions and jeopardizing the success of our products. Instead, let’s consider the broader context, using diverse signals to comprehend both the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ behind our choices.
2. Scope Reduction
Reduce scope-creep throughout the product development process. Rather than sacrificing quality or time, focus on strategic priorities. Delivering a product that aligns with the initial scope allows for continuous improvement during each sprint. Few of the strategies to achieve are Sharing Product Roadmap, Define Scope creep clearly, Establish Requirements, Establish change control process and Plan for Contingencies.
3. Learn to Let Go
Effective leaders recognize when to relinquish control. They empower their teams to assume responsibility and foster growth. Establishing a robust team around the product is essential for sustained success
Remember, just like Vikramadhitya, leaders must navigate challenges, make strategic choices, and seek wisdom to achieve their goals.