The Smell of a Place

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Black-and-white portrait of Professor Sumantra Ghoshal, management thinker known for the concept “smell of the place”

Prof. Sumantra Ghoshal—whose phrase “smell of the place” invites a deeper way of understanding organisations and life





 

An interesting talk—but more than the management idea itself, what stayed with me was the phrase “smell of the place.”

There is perhaps no sense more primal or deeply rooted than that of smell. Neuroscience tells us that smell is closely linked to emotion and long-term memory. Have you noticed how a familiar fragrance from childhood can instantly bring back vivid memories?

I experienced this recently when I used the old green Cinthol soap—the one in the red wrapper that we used as children. The moment I used it, a rush of childhood memories came back, almost as if they had been waiting quietly.

There is a reason for this.

Unlike other senses, smell bypasses the thalamus and goes directly to the olfactory bulb—the brain’s centre for processing scent. This area is closely connected to the amygdala and the hippocampus, which are responsible for emotion and memory. That perhaps explains why a scent can so quickly evoke a detailed memory or a strong emotional response.

But why does smell hold such a privileged place among our senses?

One explanation lies in evolution. Smell is one of our most primitive senses, with origins in how early organisms responded to chemical signals in their environment. It has, therefore, had the longest evolutionary history. This may also explain why we possess a far greater variety of smell receptors compared to those for sight or touch.

The phrase “smell of the place” also resonated with me in another way.

When we enter a space, the first sensory impression is often its smell. As we breathe in, that same air becomes prana—the life force within us. It is something we continuously receive and give back. In that sense, it is fundamental to our very existence.

Seen this way, the expression “smell of the place,” as used by Prof. Sumantra Ghoshal, carries a meaning that goes well beyond its immediate context. It points to something deeper—an intangible essence, rooted not just in perception, but in experience itself.

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