Change is inevitable and usually painful. A spoonful of empathic leadership, a smattering of new tools and a few sachets of foundational values boil together to create organizational transformation. However, not all change efforts are successful. Alchemy of Change shows that value-based institutions, which evolve from the wisdom of the soil, can bring about enduring change.
Introducing the Indian Model of Change, which is based on Indian values of leadership, dialogue, mutual respect, and goal setting, the authors explain how the nuances and distinctions of the Indian mindset and cultural backdrop can help to keep pace with today’s fast-changing world. Through real case studies and references from diverse literature, the book shows that change management cannot be treated as a mechanical exercise because change affects and is affected by human emotions, both at an individual and collective level. It is an insightful read for senior management and HR professionals, for all stakeholders who are entrusted with the task of facilitating or bringing about change in an organization, as well as students of change. For the general reader, the book can be a journey in self-awareness and growth.
Excerpt:
“Systems and practices are developed keeping in mind the social, political, economic and cultural needs of the society, and what we are doing is trying to copy the systems of a society, which itself is unhealthy, a society which practices individualism and self-interest and where the law is treated as an instrument of assault. Indian organizations are struggling to implement these frameworks effectively because they are still not aligned to the Indian culture and environment. The Indian model for managing change has to be developed based on the Indian context of societal norms, culture, economic and socio-political factors, as well as value system of the people. Leading change is about leading people as whole as they are.