Rule Book

“I have been sharing my views with colleagues and friends,but Ready for Takeoff is inspired by complete strangers,who felt that I should talk about my experiences with a larger audience. A book is the best way to reach out to the masses,’” says the IIT-IIM alumnus,who is known as a transformational leader.

The book revolves around the main protagonist Anurag,who is an investment banker in his 40s and is asked to take over a special alloy steel plant and run it. Without any prior experience in the field,he is apprehensive about the new role,but is encouraged by his wife Alpana to accept the challenge. His close friend Manu also contributes by imparting lessons in leadership and taking several initiatives. Is the book autobiographical? “Anurag is not me,but I am somewhat like Manu. Most of the situations,actions,experiences are real — it is inspired by the manner in which I interact with workers and involve people in decision-making. There are a couple of chapters on interaction with teenage children,which also stem from personal experiences,” says Jain.

According to Jain,you can be a good person and an effective leader at the same time. He feels that in order to create to a successful organisation it is important to respect and motivate people. “I started out with these values decades back and they worked for me. It is essential to improve the working of an organisation through people-empowerment in all business activities. To be an effective leader,you have to start with yourself,so it is also about self-transformation,” says Jain,who does not rule out a sequel.