Publisher: Pustak Mahal
Price: Rs 110
Pages: 200
Five centuries down the line, the Mughal minister’s wisdom and problem-solving abilities can still put managers to shame
Eisha Sarkar Posted on Mumbai Mirror on August 13
Wonder why management books are so ‘popular’? It’s because every MBA worth his or her name in salt would want to be seen carrying one, if not reading it. That also explains why most management books read the same or seem like they’re taking off from Philip Kotler, Eliyahu Goldratt, Osho and Edward de Bono. They tell you how to manage two things you believe you simply can’t handle – time and people. They tell you stories of successful people who’ve managed to shape their lives the way they’ve wanted to. But this is where Anita and Luis Vas differ… in the examples.
Instead of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, the authors bring to life two men of great power and wit – Akbar, the Mughal Emperor and his minister Birbal who was known far and wide for his intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
"At a time when it is fashionable to identify various management and leadership styles with historical ad mythical personalities like Attila the Hun, Winnie the Pooh, Mulla Nasruddin, Confucius and Jesus Christ... we thought it would be appropriate to underscore the managerial wisdom and problem-solving principles, which Birbal's stories illustrate," the authors write in the book’s introduction.
Through the pages, the writers bring to life the emperor and his minister. With his wit and sense of humour, Birbal tackles all problems, conquering many hearts at once, including the emperor's and the reader's. He cooks khichri by hanging a pot five feet above a fire, adds Akbar's name to a list of fools the emperor asked him to draw up, suffers one half of 100 lashes so that a corrupt guard gets the other 'half of the prize', slaps another courtier when Akbar slaps him and answers some of Akbar's most stupid questions with astonishing reason.
The stories are interesting and seem completely fictional. In the book's introduction, the authors write, "The character of Akbar in these stories is rather far-fetched. But historically, Birbal is hardly talked about. It is not clear how many of the Birbal stories can really be attributed to Birbal. Many of these tales were probably invented by village storytellers over the ages and simply attributed to Birbal and Akbar because their characters seemed appropriate.... The tales served to boost the morale of the subjects of the Mughal Empire."
The stories are divided into two parts - a problem and Birbal's solution to the problem. You're expected to pause to think of a solution. The authors suggest it may help you to think creatively. At the end of each story, the authors have listed management morals that you learn from the story (in case you haven't figured them already!) At the end of the book, the authors have dutifully devised a technique, BIRBAL, which can help readers solve their problems. But don’t task yourself too much. Enjoy the book leisurely – piece by piece. Birbal’s humour is like vodka chocolate – it hits you only when you think it’s all over.
Price: Rs 110
Pages: 200
Five centuries down the line, the Mughal minister’s wisdom and problem-solving abilities can still put managers to shame
Eisha Sarkar Posted on Mumbai Mirror on August 13
Wonder why management books are so ‘popular’? It’s because every MBA worth his or her name in salt would want to be seen carrying one, if not reading it. That also explains why most management books read the same or seem like they’re taking off from Philip Kotler, Eliyahu Goldratt, Osho and Edward de Bono. They tell you how to manage two things you believe you simply can’t handle – time and people. They tell you stories of successful people who’ve managed to shape their lives the way they’ve wanted to. But this is where Anita and Luis Vas differ… in the examples.Instead of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, the authors bring to life two men of great power and wit – Akbar, the Mughal Emperor and his minister Birbal who was known far and wide for his intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
"At a time when it is fashionable to identify various management and leadership styles with historical ad mythical personalities like Attila the Hun, Winnie the Pooh, Mulla Nasruddin, Confucius and Jesus Christ... we thought it would be appropriate to underscore the managerial wisdom and problem-solving principles, which Birbal's stories illustrate," the authors write in the book’s introduction.
Through the pages, the writers bring to life the emperor and his minister. With his wit and sense of humour, Birbal tackles all problems, conquering many hearts at once, including the emperor's and the reader's. He cooks khichri by hanging a pot five feet above a fire, adds Akbar's name to a list of fools the emperor asked him to draw up, suffers one half of 100 lashes so that a corrupt guard gets the other 'half of the prize', slaps another courtier when Akbar slaps him and answers some of Akbar's most stupid questions with astonishing reason.
The stories are interesting and seem completely fictional. In the book's introduction, the authors write, "The character of Akbar in these stories is rather far-fetched. But historically, Birbal is hardly talked about. It is not clear how many of the Birbal stories can really be attributed to Birbal. Many of these tales were probably invented by village storytellers over the ages and simply attributed to Birbal and Akbar because their characters seemed appropriate.... The tales served to boost the morale of the subjects of the Mughal Empire."
The stories are divided into two parts - a problem and Birbal's solution to the problem. You're expected to pause to think of a solution. The authors suggest it may help you to think creatively. At the end of each story, the authors have listed management morals that you learn from the story (in case you haven't figured them already!) At the end of the book, the authors have dutifully devised a technique, BIRBAL, which can help readers solve their problems. But don’t task yourself too much. Enjoy the book leisurely – piece by piece. Birbal’s humour is like vodka chocolate – it hits you only when you think it’s all over.
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