Thirukkural verse (in Tamil script)
அன்பிலார் எல்லாம் தமக்குரியர் அன்புடையார்
என்பும் உரியர் பிறர்க்கு
Transliteration:
Anpilaar ellaam thamakkuriyar anbudaiyaar
Enbum uriyar pirarkku
English translation:
Those who are without love appropriate everything to themselves; those who possess love consider even their bones as belonging to others.
Startup application: This Thirukkural contrasts self-centeredness with selflessness, which can be applied to business leadership and organizational culture:
- Servant leadership: Encourages leaders to prioritize the needs of their team and stakeholders over personal gain.
- Corporate social responsibility: Suggests that businesses should consider their impact on society and not just focus on profits.
- Stakeholder value: Emphasizes the importance of creating value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
- Team culture: Promotes a collaborative culture where team members support each other rather than competing selfishly.
- Customer-centric approach: Encourages putting customer needs first, even at the cost of short-term profits.
