Vishal Gupta - Demystifying Leadership: Unveiling the Mahabharata Code

The Mahabharata is said to be a repository of all that is Indian, and its wisdom has been guiding Indians for aeons. This is a seminal book that brings alive its wisdom for contemporary managers, and will inspire and guide other researchers to delve deeper in the text to decode management and leadership principles.

Dharm P.S. Bhawuk

Professor of Management and Culture and Community Psychology, University of Hawaii at Mnoa, USA

Demystifying Leadership: Unveiling the Mahabharata Code is a fascinating and deeply engaging study of leadership through a careful analysis of the dilemmas, paradoxes and challenges faced by key figures in the Mahabharata. The authors develop a rich and textured account of key elements of the Mahabharata and identify insights on purpose, values, leadership and ethics highly germane to the modern world. The book has wide appeal to students of leadership as well as scholars and executives.

Harbir Singh

Professor of Management and Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA

The Mahabharata is an epic story whose learnings are at the heart of Hinduism. It highlights the complexities and challenges of everyday life which everyone faces. Out of this come learnings that can be very relevant for leadershipa theme which the authors have intelligently explored in this book. There are interesting insights for leaders in every sphere.

Lakshmi N. Mittal

Chairman and CEO, ArcelorMittal,

Recipient of Padma Vibhushan

Making choices is hard. Doing the right thing is hard. Leaders have to do both. This book uses familiar stories of the Mahabharata to bring out the complexity and frailty in human beings and the lessons of good and bad leadership choices. An easy and worthwhile read.

Manvinder Singh (Vindi) Banga

Former Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Partner, CD&R LLP,

Recipient of Padma Bhushan

Insightful and incisive analyses of the Mahabharatas lead characters. In-depth, critical scrutiny of circumstances and compulsions, as also their dilemmas and conduct during the eighteen-day battle. Leadership styles, principles, values and ethics displayed (or the lack of these) are carefully examined and sagaciously compared with those of contemporary modern-day leaders and industry captains, reiterating evermore the epics eternal and timeless relevance. An enrapturing and absorbing work, indeed a requisite for leaders across all walks of life including militaries, both practising and aspiring.

Rear Admiral Mukul Asthana, NM Indian Navy (Retd.)

Using examples from the actions of the pantheon of personalities of the Mahabharata, Professor Gupta and Professor Kaul develop a sound framework for the contemporary leaders from all walks of life to become better leaders.

N.R. Narayana Murthy

Founder, Infosys Limited,

Recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan

The book, Demystifying Leadership: Unveiling the Mahabharata Code, by Professor Asha Kaul and Professor Vishal Gupta uses the events and characters from the Mahabharata to gain deep insights about management and leadership. They take six key characters from the epic and delve into their personality, character, triumphs and failings, drawing insightful parallels to situations we encounter at the workplace. Their observations allow the reader to reflect and improve on their own leadership style. The learnings are applicable across a variety of contexts and situations that require the exercise of leadership principles. I found the book a very refreshing and innovative take on the Mahabharata and apart from being an engaging read, I find it extremely relevant for anyone looking to hone ones management and leadership acumen.

Sanjay S. Lalbhai

Chairman and Managing Director, Arvind Ltd.

For managers seeking guidance on how to lead in a turbulent world where ethical challenges are commonplace and the right choice is not always obvious, Gupta and Kauls book offers a novel perspective based on the central characters from the ancientand worlds longestepic, the Mahabharata. The use of contemporary examples, such as Nelson Mandela, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Satya Nadella, Jacinda Ardern and Ratan Tata, to illustrate leadership concepts and insights adds to the value of the book. I personally enjoyed reading the book, and whole-heartedly recommend it for managers and students of business and leadership.

Vishal K. Gupta

Professor and the Fred and Martha Bostick Faculty Fellow,

Culverhouse College of Business, The University of Alabama, USA

DEMYSTIFYING LEADERSHIP

DEMYSTIFYING

LEADERSHIP

Unveiling the Mahabharata Code

Asha Kaul, Vishal Gupta

BLOOMSBURY INDIA

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First published in India 2021

This edition published 2021

Copyright Asha Kaul and Vishal Gupta, 2021

Asha Kaul and Vishal Gupta have asserted their right under the Indian Copyright Act to be identified as the authors of this work

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ISBN: PB: 978-93-54350-93-1; e-Book: 978-93-54351-09-9

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