Leadership in Unprecedented Times

Author - Ritesh Vig

Publisher - White Falcon, Rs 449

Ritesh Vig’s book on leadership is a handy guide of possible solutions and has the potential to transform the outlook of the readers for better in difficult times, writes Archana Jyoti

At a time when the entire world is struggling with Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought the economy almost to a standstill, it becomes impending on the leaders to go the extra mile, exhibit resilient behaviour and leadership qualities to help the common man sail through this trying time safely.

And, the passion to drive this resilience requires a clear understanding to help and guide the right behaviour. Author Ritesh Vig has tried to catalyse this human trait through his book Leadership in Unprecedented Times that offers help to business leaders, special business entrepreneurs, common man and youngsters to build confidence to fight back by deploying unprecedented measures.

There are no set rules to find solutions to times of uncertainty in the midst of whirlwind, rightly asserts Vig, a financial strategist in his debut book. He tries to address today’s unprecedented challenges being faced by the leaders while laying the foundation that is needed to emerge stronger. When confidence level of many people is at its low, leaders need to retain their moral high, maintaining ‘never say die’ attitude, says the writer, who has over two decades of experience as a financial consultant.

Soft Bank, India Country Head Manoj Kohli who launched the book at an online event recently, lauded the writer’s thoughtful initiative of penning the inspiration, saying that it provides a future context of constant disruption for entrepreneurs and senior management. In this regard, he also drew the attention towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) in the unprecedented times which, he said, has given us opportunity to be part of the changing face of the market where digital and start-ups are the focus of the business.

Agreeing with the book’s pitch, Kohli said that leaders need to keep in mind that “It is about acceptance of the change. We can say there are courageous and bold decisions to be made, but it isn’t like that. It is sometimes difficult to accept major change and this causes problems. According to me (and the book), look at the change; accept, embrace, and love it. Once you do that, it will be easier for you to change the model, the culture, and the product range accordingly. All changes become easy then.”

Kohli goes on to share that every company will go through multiple crisis situations. “There is competition crisis, there are regulation and government crisis, there are cost issues, and then performance and culture crisis. Strong, forward-looking leadership is the only way to success. If the leadership can do things in a systematic and orderly way, it can overcome every single crisis.”

Published by ‘White Falcon’ the book, divided in seven sections or ‘milestones’, aims to offer a step by step guidance to convert crisis into opportunities and presents a strategy to define robust framework, evaluate new business scenarios and redefine business shields for any crisis ahead.

Last but not the least, it defines the new normal for the growth of the business. To put it in other words, whether you feel like you’ve hit a wall, lost your fire, or are looking for innovative strategies to take your business to the next level, Leadership in unprecedented times has attempted to answers all.

According to the author, people from all walks of life and all kinds of readers will be enlightened by this book, which he says, has the potential to transform their outlook for better in difficult times. In one of the milestones, for instance, the writer tries to advice a clueless business leader to how to identify strategic live asset and minimise loses besides understanding internal strength of his business. Leadership quality is not just a domain of a certain group of people.

Vig writes that a common man too can display leadership at three levels: at home as parents, at job as an employee and for the nation, building true values in children.

Parents should use these unprecedented times as an opportunity to inculcate leadership qualities in their children and save them from anxiety and fears. The book is more relevant for youngsters, who the author says, can understand how leadership should be embedded within them to take on the future role of leaders.

Vig has also chronicled the integrity and strength of the leaders required to fight the pandemic, sharing the thoughts that ‘there are no set rules to find solutions to times of uncertainty’.

Real leadership, Vig stresses, requires clear communication, compassion for others, and a commitment to truth-telling — no matter how frightening the times may be. Going further, the writer has also touched upon the past pandemics and key learnings from them. For instance, Vig points out, how soon after The Great Depression that started in 1929 till 1941 left the economy reeling with unemployment, poverty, deflation and ill regulated loans among other financial crisis.

But that did not overshadow the spirit of leaders of those times who rose to the occasion to face challenges thrown by the turbulent environment. Ralph Hornblower III, a well known global investment manager in his foreword compliment the writer for reminding “us that we must stay positive if we want to succeed and vanquish the tsunami waves of humanitarian challenges that such calamities as the 2008 financial crisis and the present Covid 19 pandemic have brought to the doorstep of virtually every country on the planet.”

Priced at Rs 449, the book, overall is a good read, that no business leader, entrepreneur or a serious executive or for that matter a common man can afford to miss. For, it attempts to help driving people out of the myriad of crises created by the coronavirus pandemic.