Book Review: Indian Background On A Western Foreground

The book ‘The Indian Boss at Work: Thinking Global, Acting Indian’ by Steve Correa was launched during the pandemic. This is a book as spirited in its content about the VUCA world that it symbolises, as about the leadership it brings before its readers. 

The book describes the characteristics that make the Indian leader distinctive and adaptive, agile and effective, both in India and abroad. It highlights how Indian leaders respond to responsibilities, obligations, dilemmas, and polarities at the workplace. “There is certainly not one India, and there is certainly not one Indian. India has a ‘meta culture’, several multi-cultures and subcultures as will be obvious…” writes Correa.

The extent of research that has gone into the book is evident in the references from various authors from HR, leadership, business, policy, philosophy, scriptures, and multiple languages. If one were to read every reference that’s been listed in the book, I guess one could easily qualify for a Masters in Indian Leadership Studies. It’s that detailed! The book has layers to it, as much as lessons in it. This book is not your “cursory read in few days” kind of a tome. It would need time and mental space, for it questions your rationale or thinking around the concept of ‘what’s Indian leadership’. One would benefit from this book by reading a few sub-topics in each chapter, instead of a chapter at a time. Let the content seep in, for they are deep and thought provoking.

What stands out is the plethora of Indian examples and Indian cultural context! Generally management books have a construct that suggests that the concept of management belongs to the Western world. This book has anecdotes and insights shared by business leaders such as Harsh Mariwala, Som Mittal, Naina Lal Kidwai and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw. It discusses behavioural traits, leadership styles, human element, cultural nuances, personality insights and case studies ‒ all from the Indian perspective. It discusses the Indian way of leadership in building successful companies, based on generational learnings, attitudes and capabilities.

As the author states, “The forces of Market, State, Community and Self must remain in harmony. We need a blend of ‘Harvard’ and ‘Varanasi’ (a Corporate Veda) to enable the new age Corporate Rishi – the New CEO. We need together a universalist and a contextualistic approach, not a tug-of-war between them”. The essence of the book is captured aptly by its title ‘The Indian Boss: Thinking Global, Acting Indian’. This book captures the ‘Indian-ness’ of Indian leaders in their journey toward evolving into global business leaders.

‘The Indian Boss at Work’ discusses and prompts the reader to think more about:

• The winning traits of Indian leaders 

• The cultural influences and world order that have shaped their mindsets and leadership styles 

• What makes them adaptable in any business situation? 

• What can the rest of the world learn from India on the practice of leadership?

“Indian leaders must manage the tensions of co-holding an Indian background and working in a Western foreground,” advises Correa. This quandary or dilemma that many of us face, is finally explained in a book. More importantly, it tells us that we need not be shy or defensive about it. It is our “Indianness” that’s working so far, in our professional journey. 

The book uses many cultural, personality, and leadership assessment frameworks, not just from an academic point of view, but more from the context of its application to explain the “Indian boss” better!

*Book 2.0 

Steve, the professional, is ever articulate, and purposeful, lest those he speaks to, don’t miss his intent and content. Ever gentle and precise, lest the other person not get misled. Yet firm about values, adding value and cultural-relevance and emotional-appropriateness. He has used his rich corporate experience to bring those learnings into this book.

For both of us, like many resilient professionals, share the common unlearning: that emotional and   mental maturity and age have no correlation, and good leadership needs no textbook, but first an open mind! If Steve were to update this book with its next version, I am sure he would bring in insights from leaders who have built first generation businesses in the digital era, while displacing conventional / traditional leaders in those segments. After all, #gemz (gig economy, millennials, Gen Z) dominate our demographics and it is their century!

And if I can guess, he might theme it as “The Indian Leader: Create your own, for the Globe”.

To seek is to realise,

To unlearn is to prepare the journey,

That’s the journey well begun,

For I am the road rarely sought.

How about bringing more conversations and learnings around passion, purpose, play and profits of businesses that serve their stakeholders well?