In the cosmic dance of business, companies often find themselves oscillating between the fierce Tandava of disruption and the graceful Lasya of creation. Mastering this balance is crucial; lean too heavily into rigid structures without fostering innovation, and risk stagnation. Conversely, pursue relentless disruption without a sustainable foundation, and face potential collapse.
The Tandava-Lasya Model: Risk and Stability in Business
Tandava symbolises destruction, not for chaos, but to clear the path for the new. In business, this translates to bold decisions dismantling obsolete structures. Lasya, in contrast, represents nurturing growth, ensuring transformations are sustainable and rooted in strong foundations.
Take Warner Bros. Discovery, for instance. In December 2024, the company announced a significant restructuring, splitting into two distinct divisions: global linear networks and streaming and studios. This move, akin to a corporate Tandava, aimed to dismantle outdated operational silos. CEO David Zaslav’s aggressive restructuring efforts included $4 billion in cost-cutting measures since the 2022 merger, shedding unprofitable assets, cancelling projects, and reworking its content strategy to focus on sustainable growth. The company’s pivot towards streaming profitability, including price hikes and bundling strategies for Max, highlights the Lasya approach ensuring that the business transformation is not just about cutting but also about building a sustainable future.
On the flip side, the surge in corporate bankruptcies in 2024 serves as a cautionary tale. With 686 companies filing for bankruptcy, the highest since 2010 it’s evident that excessive disruption without sustainable practices can lead to downfall. Industries from electric vehicles to healthcare faced significant challenges, underscoring the need for a harmonious balance between innovation and stability.
A striking example of this balance is Apple. The company has repeatedly embraced Tandava, shutting down successful product lines like the iPod and abandoning old technologies to stay ahead of the curve. Yet, it also embodies Lasya by continuously refining its ecosystem, ensuring a seamless transition for its customers. Apple’s decision to shift from Intel chips to its own M-series processors is a prime example. The transition, though disruptive, allowed Apple to enhance performance, extend battery life, and reduce dependency on third-party suppliers. In Q4 2023, Mac sales rebounded with a 14% growth after initial concerns over the shift, proving that well-executed Tandava followed by strategic Lasya can drive long-term gains. Furthermore, Apple’s continuous focus on integrating AI into its devices, including the expected AI-powered features in the upcoming iOS updates, showcases its ability to balance disruption with sustainable innovation.
On the other hand, WeWork’s downfall is a story of excessive Tandava without Lasya. Its aggressive expansion, fuelled by disruption, lacked the stabilizing force of sustainable financial management, leading to a dramatic collapse. Conversely, Microsoft under Satya Nadella exemplifies the right balance shedding its rigid, Windows-centric approach (Tandava) while cultivating a culture of cloud-based innovation and enterprise solutions (Lasya), resulting in a market resurgence.
More recently, Indian corporations have demonstrated this balance effectively. Tata Group under N. Chandrasekaran has undertaken bold restructuring moves, shed unprofitable units while simultaneously investing in AI, renewable energy, and e-commerce, balancing Tandava with Lasya. Reliance Jio exemplifies disruptive Tandava, having reshaped the Indian telecom industry through aggressive pricing strategies. However, its Lasya component investing in digital services, retail has ensured long-term stability and industry leadership.
Similarly, Zomato’s acquisition of Blinkit showcased its embrace of Tandava by pivoting from a food-only delivery model to quick commerce, a strategic shift that was initially met with scepticism. However, Zomato’s focus on cost efficiency and profitability (Lasya) led it to post its first-ever quarterly profit in 2023, demonstrating the importance of balancing risk with structured growth.
Another recent example is Citigroup’s large-scale restructuring, which involved eliminating 11,000 jobs while simultaneously promoting over 8,000 employees at the end of 2024, including 344 new managing directors. This highlights a strategic Tandava, removing inefficiencies followed by a Lasya-driven effort to cultivate and recognize internal talent. Similarly, Latham & Watkins expanded its corporate restructuring practice by appointing a new global head of liability management, demonstrating a proactive approach to navigating financial shifts.
The Corporate Imperative: Mastering Shiva-Shakti Dynamics
A 2024 BCG report highlights that 68% of CEOs recognize the need for continuous reinvention but struggle to execute it without destabilizing their organizations. The Tandava-Lasya principle provides a roadmap:
- Know When to Disrupt: Identify outdated processes, business models, and markets that no longer serve the organization.
- Build a Safety Net: Balance risk with strategic sustainability, disruption should not outpace the company’s ability to absorb change.
- Encourage Dual Leadership: Just as Shiva and Shakti coexist; businesses thrive when visionary risk-takers work alongside stabilizers who refine and nurture long-term strategies.
- Cultivate a Fluid Culture: Companies that integrate calculated disruption with structured evolution, like Amazon and Tesla, continuously reinvent themselves without losing core stability.
Embracing the Shiva-Shakti Mindset
Businesses today stand at a crossroads; those that master the dance of Tandava and Lasya will lead the future. The lesson from Shiva and Parvati is clear: destruction must always be followed by creation, and change must be grounded in wisdom.
The Indian corporate landscape, much like global markets, is in a constant state of flux. Companies that disrupt markets without a strategy to sustain their momentum often collapse, while those that refuse to change are left behind. The future belongs to those who, like the divine cosmic dance, can harmonize both forces to create a legacy of transformation and stability. Whether in Silicon Valley or Mumbai, the lesson is universal – only by embracing both destruction and creation can businesses thrive in an ever-evolving world.
