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Course Details

Chanakya’s Leadership Principles for the 21st Century

$300.00

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Course Code:

HSF3401

Credit Hours:

1.5 Quarter-Credit-Hours

Course Level:

300

Area of Study:

Hindu Studies Foundations

Course Description

HSF3401 – In an era marked by rapid change and complex challenges, the wisdom of ancient thinkers remains a guiding light. This course offers an immersive exploration of the leadership philosophies of Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, as outlined in his magnum opus, the *Arthashastra*. Chanakya, an astute strategist and statesman of ancient India, developed a holistic approach to governance and leadership that transcends time. This course meticulously bridges the gap between these classical teachings and contemporary leadership demands, enabling participants to harness these enduring principles to craft visionary strategies, make informed decisions, and lead with unwavering integrity. Through a blend of historical analysis and practical application, participants will discover how to apply Chanakya’s profound insights to modern organizational and leadership challenges, ensuring their leadership is both grounded in wisdom and adaptive to the future.
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Program of Study

This course is part of the following programs:

Division

Community Education Division

Required / Core / Elective:

Elective

Prerequisites:

Admission into a program of study

Semester / Quarter System:

Quarter

Number of Weeks:

11

Semester / Quarter Offered:

Spring 2025

Days of the Week:

Every Sunday

Time:

9:00 pm EST – 10:30 pm EST

Start Date:

April 20, 2025

End Date:

June 29, 2025

Faculty

Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai

Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai is a Ph.D from the University of Mumbai, Department of Philosophy. He trains leaders and aspirants from various fields including Corporate, politics, academics, military etc. He has done an extensive research on “Kautilya’s Arthashastra”, the well known book on management written in 4th BC from Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF), Kerala under the guidance of Dr Gangadharan Nair, the dean of Adi Shankara Sanskrit University.
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radhakrishnan.pillai@hua.edu

Mr. Pranav Patel

Mr. Pranav Patel is a passionate Leadership Developer with a wealth of experience in the field, currently serving as the SEO (Senior Executive Officer) for Strategic and Outreach at the Partha Ghosh Academy of Leadership within the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. His dedication lies in shaping leaders and providing solutions in various domains, including leadership training, organizational development, research, finance, and people-centric solutions.
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pranav.patel@hua.edu

Course Learning Objectives

In this course students will be able to

  • Recognize the key leadership principles detailed in Chanakya’s Arthashastra, including concepts such as dharma (duty/ethics), artha (wealth/prosperity), niti (policy/strategy), and rajadharma (duty of rulers).
  • Comprehend the underlying philosophies and rationale behind Chanakya’s leadership principles.
  • Utilize Chanakya’s principles to solve contemporary leadership problems through case studies and role-playing exercises.
  • Analyze modern leadership practices and critically evaluate them through the lens of Chanakya’s teachings.
  • Develop the ability to critically assess and judge the effectiveness of various leadership strategies using Chanakya’s principles as a benchmark.
  • Synthesize the knowledge gained from the course to develop an innovative and personalized leadership model that integrates Chanakya’s ancient wisdom with modern best practices.

Featured Testimonial

Course content

The course covers topics based on models as explained in the Kautilya’s Arthashastra which addresses present day business and corporate issues.

  • Leadership:
    • Power
    • Qualities of Leader
    • Competition
    • People
    • What the Leader must not do.
  • Management:
    • Employees
    • Finance
    • Teamwork
    • Strategy
  • Training:
    • Trainees
    • Managing upwards
    • Organization
    • Advice

Benefits of attending this course

1. Deep Strategic Insight: Participants will gain a profound understanding of Chanakya’s strategic thought processes, learning how to craft long-term strategies that are both adaptive and resilient. This includes mastering the art of foresight and anticipation, crucial for navigating today's unpredictable business and political environments.
2. Ethical Leadership Framework: The course provides a robust foundation in ethical leadership, teaching participants how to align their actions with both moral principles and organizational goals. By embracing Chanakya’s emphasis on *dharma* (righteousness), participants will learn to lead with integrity, balancing ethical considerations with pragmatic decision-making.
3. Advanced Problem-Solving Skills: Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, participants will enhance their ability to tackle complex and multifaceted challenges. They will learn to apply Chanakya’s strategic methods, such as sam, dam, dand, and bhed (persuasion, incentive, punishment, and division), to resolve conflicts and drive organizational success.
4. Comprehensive Cultural Perspective: The program offers a unique opportunity to explore Indian cultural and historical leadership paradigms, providing participants with a broadened perspective on global leadership. This cross-cultural understanding is essential for leaders operating in increasingly diverse and interconnected environments.
5. Customized Leadership Development: The course is designed to be highly interactive, allowing participants to tailor their learning journey according to their individual needs and organizational challenges. By the end of the program, participants will have developed a personalized leadership plan that integrates Chanakya’s principles with their unique leadership style and objectives.

Class Structure

There will be a minimum of 1 contact hour with one or more faculty every week. The class is structured in a way that promotes discussion and debate based on self-study and reflection each week. While the content being discussed in each class will be concluded within 60 minutes, the discussion time will be free format, and can continue for an additional 30 minutes maximum. During the course, students will be required to submit two short essays. They need not be academic quality papers – but should be based on students’ self-reflection on what they have learnt and assimilated so far.

Who should attend

  • This program is specifically designed for a diverse group of professionals who aspire to enhance their leadership capabilities by integrating timeless wisdom with modern practices:
    1. Senior Executives and Managers: Leaders responsible for setting strategic direction and managing large teams will benefit from the deep strategic insights and ethical frameworks provided by Chanakya’s principles.
    2. Public Sector Leaders and Policy Makers: Government officials and policymakers who seek to implement ethical governance practices and strategic foresight in their decision-making processes will find this program invaluable. The course offers tools for navigating political complexities and ensuring sustainable policy outcomes.
    3. Academics and Scholars: Those engaged in the study of leadership, history, or philosophy will appreciate the course’s scholarly approach to Chanakya’s work, combined with its practical applications in today’s leadership landscape.
    4. Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders: Individuals leading startups or established businesses will gain insights into building resilient organizations, managing risk, and leveraging opportunities using Chanakya’s strategic frameworks.
    5. Leadership Consultants and Coaches: Professionals in the field of leadership development and executive coaching will acquire a unique perspective on leadership that can enrich their practice. The course provides a blend of historical insight and practical tools that can be adapted for various clients and contexts.

Purchasable Readings before the Course

Corporate Chanakya by Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai (Amazon India)

Corporate Chanakya – (Amazon US link)

Readings

Corporate Chanakya (Mandatory)

Kautilya Arthashastra

What Our Students Say About This Course

"As a Hindu, I feel what the Hindu University is doing is invaluable to Hinduism generally and to India. HUA...

Kiran Chhaganlal

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“ The Orientation to Hindu Studies Course” offered by the Hindu University, had a great mix of both simple and...

Jyoti Suravarjula

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"Apart from explaining some hard to understand topics in a very interesting way and being able to listen to lectures...

Bindu Patel

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" This was a great course, well organized, engaging, and to-the-point. I found the Zoom based virtual classrooms to be...

Harish Sukhwani

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Ms. Adriana Salazar
"Traveling through the “spiritual India” is like enjoying the care of a nurturing grandmother; she is ever-present to transfer the...

Adriana Salazar

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The Hindu University holds enormous promise for the future of humanity by marshaling Vedic wisdom towards addressing multiple crises confronting...

Dr. Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra,

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Certificate Program in Hindu Studies
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Certificate Program in Hindu Studies

Chanakya’s Leadership Principles for the 21st Century

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