Deepak Chopra to design 'soul leadership' course for Great Lakes

Chopra's concepts to be introduced in one-year executive programme beginning May 2006

Come May, participants in Great Lakes Institute of Management's executive development programme will be taught that relationship is the key to success in business. They will be introduced to 'feminine values in leadership skills' by author Deepak Chopra.

Deepak Chopra would design a 'Soul Leadership' course for the Chennai-based management institute, on the lines of a similar course conducted by him at the Kellogg School of Management's executive programme. Chopra is on the Business Advisory Board of Great Lakes.

At a press conference today in Chennai, Chopra said quality of relationships was the key to success in business. "People have such a deep need for relationships at every level," he added.

US-based Chopra felt that Indian business leaders need to realise the link between quality of relationships and employee loyalty. Once employee loyalty was in place, it would translate into customer loyalty and finally shareholder value, he said.

Chopra cited examples on how his course at Kellogg on the soul of leadership had helped companies improve prospects. Creating the right kind of story was a step in the process of improving relationships. This had a positive impact on businesses.

Chopra said that the Kentucky Derby in the US, which made losses, changed its fortune following the appearance of 'Seabiscuit: An American Legend,' a book on a champion horse. Another example he cited was that of the coffee-chain Starbucks, which had introduced sayings on coffee cups at its outlets.

Not all leaders, who establish good relationships, may not win, Chopra admits. "George Bush is a terrible leader, but he knows how to bond with people" felt Chopra.

Great Lakes' founder and honourary dean, Bala V Balachandran, said that Chopra's concepts would be introduced in the one-year executive programme beginning May 2006.

Chopra is expected to take a few classes and assign one of his students to complement his effort.