Fit for leadership

After dishing out two bestsellers, A Dare to Lead and CEO: Chess Master or Gardener, Anil Khandelwal has written The Gym of Leadership: Insights to Help You Build Your Leaclership Muscles. It differs from other run-of-the-mill titles on this subject because of its unique perspective and premises.

- ABINASH PAN DA

The book is based on the premise that anyone with basic human qualities can become a leader. The author, for instance, admits that he was not a born leader. He attributes his evolution as a competent leader to "several tough experiences", though he cautions that "experience alone does not count, you need the right attitude and spirit."

Mr Khandelwal also emphasises the salience of disciplined reflection. As he writes, "I learnt many lessons in managing difficult situations through a relentless process of reflection and action." In this context, experiences may trigger a search for meaning, leading to a better understanding of self and enhanced performance. This perspective makes the book different from atypical sermon- and prescription-laden self-help book. Mr Khandelwal has been successful in seamlessly integrating his experiences with his insights to offer readers questions to reflect on.

This book provides a compelling argument for the importance of intangible but substantive aspects of leadership such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, managing relationships and communication and conversation. The foundational premise ofthis book is that the journey to become a competent leader begins from within. "Leadership.. requires an investment ofthe 'Self into the Self ' in the quest ofbecoming 'an integrated human being"," the author explains in the introduction.