Leader: 50 Insights from Mythology

Product Description

What does the Biblical story of Nathan and David say about effective communication skills? How do you identify the Raja Bhoj, the Gangu Teli and the Shekchilli in your office? What is the corporate equivalent of an Ashwamedha yajna? Drawing from sources as diverse as the Mahabharata and the Bible, the Vikram-Betal stories, the Iliad and the Odyssey, Islamic tenets, the tales of rishis and kings, and fables from around the world, Devdutt Pattanaik, India’s leading mythologist, provides a fascinating account of what leadership entails. How to choose the right leader, effectively communicate with a boss, maintain the right balance between discipline and leniency? In these and other workplace situations, Pattanaik shows what leaders of today can learn about the art of leadership from stories written thousands of years ago, things no management course can teach. Leader: 50 Insights from Mythology uses myths and legends to arrive at wisdom that is both time-worn and refreshingly new, on what makes a good leader.

Review

The book consists of four different types of Leadership Sutras named Significance, Property, Rules and Stability. Each of these sutras consists of several chapters. Each chapter has an example of Indian mythology either from Mahabharata, Ramayana or Vedas. It is interesting to read a chapter starting with an event described appropriately from history as it’s written in a very crisp manner. After that, author explains the consequences of why a character from mythology took that decision and connects it with current scenarios which makes it easy for us to understand how to deal with the same kind of situation next time when we are stuck with it in our firm. In the end of the chapter, an example from the current corporate scenario is shared with which you can relate yourself or any of your colleagues. And each chapter has a diagram which is an icing on the cake –By Abhilash Ruhela on 3 May 2016

This is the first time I am reading Devdutt Pattnaik I know he is a leadership consultant and that s why I was desperate to read this book when writersmelon.com mailed me to review the book from the list, my first preference was to read The Leadership Sutra. After completing this book I confess this is fantastic and interesting read especially who are aware of Hindu mythology, in this book a management lesson is taught through Indian mythology. The entire book is on Durga and Shakti i.e. dependence on external power and dependability by invoking internal power respectively. The sentence which touched my heart is Shakti cannot be given or taken; it can only be invoked by tapasya. –By nitin vadher on 10 May 2016

Beautiful and simple analogies which are very relevant and adaptable in multiple situations. Best take away was about Surface and Shakti. –By Ankoor Naikon 1 October 2016

About the Author

Devdutt Pattanaik writes, illustrates and lectures on the relevance of mythology in modern times. He has, since 1996, written over thirty books and 700 columns on how stories, symbols and rituals construct the subjective truth (myths).