Thirukkural verse (in Tamil script)
நாடொறும் நாடுக மன்னன் விழமுரைத்த
கோடொறும் கோடாது செலல்
Meaning: Each day, a king should review if his actions align with the principles of righteous rule, never deviating.
Startup application: This Thirukkural emphasizes the importance of consistent self-evaluation and adherence to core principles, suggesting that leaders should regularly assess their actions and decisions against their company’s mission, values, and goals, ensuring they remain on the right path. Here’s how it can be applied:
- Ethical leadership: Establishing clear company values and a mission statement provides a framework for ethical decision-making and principled leadership.
- Strategic alignment: Implementing regular strategy review sessions and developing key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with company principles helps ensure consistent alignment with core objectives.
- Transparency and accountability: Fostering a culture of transparency and accountability encourages feedback from team members and stakeholders, helping maintain alignment with company values.
- Adaptability and flexibility: Regularly reassessing and adjusting long-term goals and strategies allows startups to remain true to their principles while navigating the changing business landscape.
- Sustainable success: Making decisions that consistently align with core values, rather than just focusing on short-term gains, contributes to building a strong, values-driven culture and achieving sustainable long-term success.