IPL 2018: CSK’s five lessons for the corporate world

Process over result

There are invariably a few sniggers when Dhoni utters the word “process”. It’s a word he has used in every situation and for good reason too. Fleming and Dhoni believe that the right process - an undying legacy of the Dravid-Chappell era - is central to achieving the right results.

This explains why Dhoni doesn’t mind a bowler going for boundaries so long as he is bowling what he has set out to do. A common sight during the IPL was Dhoni applauding Shardul Thakur even as he was being hit for boundaries.

The larger goal each year is to make the Playoffs and to then take things from there. But, to do that consistently - CSK have reached the Playoffs every year they have played the IPL - they need to ensure the nuts and bolts are in order. It is in managing this minutia and not worrying about the bottom line that the strength of the franchise lies in.