About the Book
Publisher: StoryMirror Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
This book ‘Corporate Karma’ explores the overlooked spiritual dimension of our professional lives, introducing the intriguing concept of Spiritual Risk Management (SRM). Beyond the balance sheets, it delves into the evolution of risk understanding through history. The narrative’s core lies in addressing spiritual risks within organizations, unveiling the profound impact on individuals and the broader ecosystem. Discover strategies for nurturing spiritual resilience, empathetic leadership, and a harmonious work culture.This book’s uniqueness is its unexpected detour into the wisdom of Chanakya and Lord Krishna, weaving ancient teachings into modern leadership. ‘Corporate Karma’ is an invitation to revolutionize your approach and march on the path towards sustainable success.
Varun Rajasekaran brings over 12 years of corporate wisdom as an IT GRC specialist in the ITeS and Pharma sectors. He blends creative prowess with a deep IT Governance, Risk & Compliance (IT GRC) background. With a rich history in the corporate world, including a Fortune India 500 company, Varun’s journey is marked by notable achievements.His thought leadership extends to publications in the American Society of Quality (ASQ), introducing pioneering concepts such as the “Hybrid Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Model” in June 2023 and the “Hybrid Root Cause Analysis” tool in 2018. He is a certified ISO 22301:2019, ISO 27001:2022 lead auditor and alumni of PICT School of Technology and Management and Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune.
We interviewed the author about his debut book, Corporate Karma: Navigating Spiritual Risks | Ethical Wisdom for Resilient Leadership and Sustainable Success, exploring Spiritual Risk Management, ancient wisdom in modern business, and fostering trust in organizational culture.
Booknerds: Your book explores the “Spiritual Risk Management” (SRM) concept. For anyone who hasn’t read the book yet, could you briefly explain what this term means and why it's important In the corporate world?
Varun Rajasekaran: SRM goes beyond traditional risk management. It is all about recognizing, and addressing risks related to spiritual well-being, values, and ethics within an organization and aligning an organization’s values, purpose, and culture with its people’s spiritual needs and aspirations.It Is important because it improves employees’ well-being, and job satisfaction, enables organizations to deal with ethical dilemmas effectively and establishes a culture that encourages open dialogue, social equality, and respect for diverse perspectives.
Booknerds: Your book draws wisdom from various sources, including ancient Indian texts and Greek, Roman, and Egyptian philosophies. How have these teachings influenced your corporate life?
Varun Rajasekaran: The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes on purpose-driven action i.e. focusing on dharma and long-term impact rather than the outcome. This helped me make a critical decision in my career to leave the Tata Group for greener pastures based on my long-term goal of becoming a thought leader in the IT GRC domain.Vedanta teaches self-awareness and introspection. Some years ago, I had reached a stage of no growth in my career. This led me to introspect on the root cause. This in turn led me to obtain clarity concerning my career goals, identify and address my skill gaps, and crack interviews with some top IT organizations.
Booknerds: You have shared some statistics and data about organizational consequences – regarding spiritual risks and how they extend beyond individual well-being and affect the organization. How shall an organization put an end to this and cultivate a healthy working environment?
Varun Rajasekaran: Cultivating a healthy work environment can be done through two simple examples, firstly, mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing. These practices enhance self-awareness, reduce stress, and improve focus. Secondly, compassionate leadership, wherein leaders can embody compassion, empathy, and active listening. When employees face challenges, compassionate leaders provide selfless service through support and understanding.
Booknerds: You used the example of the Indian Cricket team to illustrate effective leadership practices. Can you share some insights on how leaders can build trust and create a spiritually resilient organizational culture?
Varun Rajasekaran: Trust is like the secret sauce that binds a team together. Let’s look at the recent example of the Indian cricket team’s T20 World Cup win in 2024 as an analogy: Firstly, Rohit Sharma, the then captain, shared his game plan openly with his team members with clearly defined roles. Similarly, leaders should communicate openly with their team and share information, updates, and decisions transparently. When everyone knows what’s happening, trust grows. No hidden surprises, just like no hidden googlies!Secondly, whether it was Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, or Rahul Dravid, the coach, including all the remaining players gave credit to the team for the marvellous victory. Leaders should do the same. Acknowledge team members’ efforts and celebrate wins together. When you say, “Well played, team!” it’s like hitting a six in trust-building. Trust isn’t built overnight—it’s a steady innings of honesty, teamwork, and respect!
Booknerds: The emerging trends in spiritual risk management and their implications are discussed in length. What are the ways an organization, and an individual, can benefit from these trends?
Varun Rajasekaran: Let’s explore this with a simple example – Imagine you’re an employee facing work-related stress. SRM encourages practices like mindfulness, meditation, or connecting with nature. By incorporating these spiritual practices, you reduce stress, enhance well-being, and make better decisions. It’s like having a mental power-up!Now, picture a company where leaders prioritize empathy, ethical decision-making, and employee well-being. That’s SRM in action. When organizations embrace SRM, they foster trust, resilience, and a positive work culture. It’s like hitting a six in team dynamics!
Booknerds: Your book challenges conventional ways of thinking about risk management. What has been the response from the corporate world so far, and what’s your vision for the future?
Varun Rajasekaran: I have received a very positive response from some leaders across industries regarding my book. My vision for the future is for organizations to prioritise employees’ well-being and job satisfaction in their true spirit, not just a tick-in-the-box!
Booknerds: Besides your book ‘Corporate Karma‘, how else do you promote the principles of SRM and ethical wisdom in the corporate world?
Varun Rajasekaran: Given a chance, I would love to converse with leaders across industries, emphasizing establishing a holistic and robust employee well-being policy and enforcing it through activities like daily mindfulness practice sessions and inculcating compassionate leadership!
- Team Booknerds
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