Book Review : Embrace The Future

Time-tested.. by these two very successful, very thoughtful leaders, Gopal and Hrishi. Both were immensely successful in business leadership. But what made them stand apart was their ability to abstract learnable, practical concepts from the reality of day-to-day business. Some of these are applications of theories or concepts that have already been developed, like the Kotter’s Theory of Change by Porter’s Competitive Strategy or indeed, in more nuanced terms,  the Vedic principles of a “long and fulfilling life”. Some of them are their own learnings. for example, looking at innovation at the intersection (or union) of societal/ consumer, technological and business system changes.

Timeless…because though many of the examples and case studies are now what would seem more historical, the core thoughts are applicable even today and I would imagine, any time in the future. Today, the pace seems different, the rise and fall of businesses and brands faster, more dramatic…and tomorrow may be even more so. But what is not different is that the journey of great leadership is one of well-thought-through and, at the same time, inspired choices (the “mind and heart” idea that has been expressed in the book). They are not ALWAYS the “right” choices, because the judgment of “right” or “wrong” and “success” or “failure” is often seen in hindsight, when all the facts are known. But it’s about being right at the time when you know what you know and don’t and how you can, in more cases than not, end up with your own success as a leader. And that idea, I believe, is timeless.

Which is why the quote, “Choice, not Chance, determines your Destiny,” attributed to Aristotle, from the last para of the last chapter, seems so apt a finale to the symphony of wisdom of these two greats that is so-well orchestrated in this book.