This is a unique book which reveals the real personality of a leader. The book answers many questions of life about leadership and success... helps you in becoming a leader in the chosen field of your life.
Kamal Haasan, Actor/Director
A combination of wit and wisdom; drawing upon Chanakya, Machiavelli, Lao Tse and many others, Awdhesh Singh has produced an interesting and unusual book on leadership.
Dr Karan Singh, Member of Parliament
His thought-provoking examination indeed removes mysteries associated with leadership and provides pragmatic tips for anyone to be a successful leader. The book, lucidly written, is a useful addition for those wanting to understand leadership behaviour and for those who want to be successful as a leader.
TS Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India
The book is a treatise on leadership. The secrets of leadership are unravelled in a lucid and most engaging manner. The book engages readers with its anecdotal quality combined with highly insightful observations...I will strongly recommend this book to every potential leader to understand the art of the matter and also to those who are already in leadership roles just to feel the heart of the matter.
Prof SG Deshmukh, Director, ABV-Indian Institute of Information
Technology & Management, Gwalior
The author has made a bold attempt to present the hidden or the bitter side of leadership, which complements the visible and sweeter side. This book is recommended especially for aspiring leaders, while established leaders will be able to relate with the challenges and dilemmas they face in their day-to-day experiences.
Anil Kapoor, Managing Director, Chambal Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited
This is a leadership book like no otherunlike other dry, unimaginative leadership books, this book is as fun to read as it is shrewd and practical. It is awash with countless insightful stories, quotes and examples. One of the outstanding features of this book is that it confronts with ideas that seem counter-intuitive, for example, the need for deception and to embrace ones vices. Yet, upon careful reflection we gradually recognise the accuracy of the authors subtle thoughts.
A well written and vitally useful book for all who aspire to be leaders, or for those of us who wish to understand how real leaders achieve extraordinary goals.
Terry W Sprouse, award-winning author
This book is strewn with pearls of wisdom on the subject, painstakingly and meticulously gathered from all parts of the world. The book is a practical guide on how to blossom into a leader in any sphere of human endeavour and at any level, how to succeed as a leader and how to leave a legacy.
MVN Rao, Former Chairman, Central Board of Excise & Customs
This book provides a beacon of a fresh view-point regarding the essence of leadership for all those who aspire to be leaders and those who want to change the world for the better. A book which must be read and evaluated, in the background experiences and insights of the serious reader.
PR Ravikumar, Director General (Investigation), Income Tax, GOI
This book is indeed an insight on how to harness and hone ones skills in order to shape the qualities of a leader hidden in every person naturally. The author has achieved a straightforward and transparent way of approaching attainment of leadership, proving leadership is a science and not an art.
S Madhukar, Former CMD, United Bank of India and Whole-time Member SEBI
It is a rare book which courageously explores the grey areas and dilemmas of leadership and allows the readers to make their choices without being prescriptive. Overall a great treat for all the students of leadership.
E Balaji, President, People Services, TVS Logistics Ltd
Very insightful and refreshing. Theories of leadership have been explained in a fresh and unorthodox manner. The anecdotes have made the explanations highly revealing and easy to understand. A must-read for both practicing and aspiring leaders of men.
S Kannan, Chairman, Chennai International Film Festival
This is a must-have book for any leader who wants to become more effective, strategic, operationally focused and balanced. Its a book for leaders who are striving to take control of their destiny and become the best they can be. Every professional should read this book to unleash the greatest leadership potential lying within.
Sanjeev Kumar, Head & Vice President, Tata Projects Limited, Hyderabad
Yet another master piece from Awdhesh!
Very interesting reading with plenty of anecdotes relating to corporate world. To me it looked like a serious version of Dilberts book on Management!
Aravind Santhanam, Director, Innovasphere Infotech, Former COO, Videocon Telecommunications Ltd
An excellent book to understand leaders and develop leadership qualities. The book is full of interesting anecdotes, jokes and stories which keep the readers glued to the book and help him remember the message with ease. The book truly reveals many secrets of leadership, which are hidden from the eyes of most of us.
Prof Rajendra Sahu, ABV-Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, Gwalior
THE SECRET RED BOOK OF
LEADERSHIP
Awdhesh Singh, 2015
First published 2015
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwisewithout the prior permission of the author and the publisher.
ISBN 978-81-8328-401-1
Published by
Wisdom Tree
4779/23, Ansari Road
Darya Ganj, New Delhi-110 002
Ph.: 23247966/67/68
wisdomtreebooks@gmail.com
Printed in India
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I: The Need for Leadership
1. Who Can Be a Leader?
2. LeaderFollower Dualism
3. The Myths of Leadership
4. Why Must You Aspire to Be a Leader?
5. Transform into a Leader
Part II: Dilemma of Leaders
1. Can an End Justify the Means
2. The Connect between Good and Evil
3. Balancing Love with Hatred
4. Dealing with Both the Lower and the Higher Self
5. Balancing the Masculine with the Feminine
6. Equality or Differentiation?
Part III: The Necessary Evils of Leaders
1. A Burning Desire to Lead and Achieve
2. The Hunger for Power
3. Creating Fear
4. Divide and Rule for Success
5. Why Leaders Need to Deceive
6. Cover Your Evil
Part IV: The Facade of a Leader
1. A Pleasant Personality
2. Be an Actor
3. The Propaganda War
4. Leadership Branding
5. Aura of Charisma
Part V: Developing Leadership
1. A Powerful Idea
2. Get a Grip on the Complete Reality
3. Developing Imagination
4. Taking Initiatives
5. Developing Courage
6. Team-building
Part VI: Practising Leadership
1. Creating Trust
2. Resisting Temptation
3. Managing in Organisations
4. Decision-making
5. Cultivating Leaders
6. Leaving a Legacy
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
