Leadership Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita (Books for a Happy Work Life)

Review\nWith the modern day technologies and education, many have access to vast and varied content on leadership to learn from and build their skills. As a lifelong student of technology and leadership, I see
a very unique way in which Dr Simpson has translated the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita into the linked-leadership model connecting four core and essential elements―higher purpose, selfawareness, servant leadership and holistic systems. These are in turn linked to the foundational teachings of the 700 verses forming the fabric that connects everything together in a logical manner. The work offers leaders invaluable perspectives on human psychology, motivation, strategy, culture, sustainability and a service orientation that are derived from the work’s deep spiritual foundation. Even
those who are unconvinced by the work’s philosophical rather than empirical basis will at the very least have a basis for reflecting on how leadership might be done differently―with greater humility, respect
and compassion. I highly recommend this book to build, enrich and refine one’s leadership skills to achieve the best performance from themselves and their organizations.
-- Upendra M. Kulkarni, ― Vice President, Firmware and Software Engineering, Intel Corporation\nThose of us familiar with India’s ancient book of wisdom, the Bhagavad Gita, tend to roll our eyes when we see yet another translation of it published or yet another commentary, especially one about ‘the Gita on Leadership’. But with Leadership Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, I am not just happily surprised, but frankly amazed to see how deftly Ace Simpson has brought forth the Gita’s wisdom to illuminate the very depths of what it means to be and to act as a leader in all spheres of one’s life, bringing real benefit
for both the leader and those who would follow. The translation of the original text is both faithful to the text and finely done, the reflections are richly illuminating for deep understanding of what is true leadership, and insights are backed up with references for empirical support. If today’s leaders-to-be read this book and imbibe its teachings, there is great hope for our world.
-- Kenneth Valpey ― Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, Oxford, UK\nDr Simpson’s mastery in the field of leadership through his PhD and academic career, and his deep understanding of the great spiritual text the Bhagavad Gita, which has been his guiding light since childhood, render him uniquely qualified to make this marvellous contribution: Leadership Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita. He provides apt translations of all verses from the Bhagavad Gita, which he elegantly arranges in a thematic fashion and shares his sagacious reflections, which are deeply profound. The significant leadership lessons that Dr Simpson draws should be relevant across a wide spectrum of situations―personal, interpersonal and organizational. A must read for all leaders in today’s turbulent environment―be that turbulence internal or external. -- Ravi Kathuria, ― Professor, and James and Lynne Doti Chair in Operations Management, The George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics, Chapman University, Orange, CA, USA\nThe Bhagavad Gita, which is a small part of the Mahabharata, is predominately considered to be a spiritual, religious and philosophical text for many followers of Sanatana Dharma. But an in-depth research of the Bhagavad Gita reveals that its message is universal and also applicable in organizational management and leadership. The great effort made by Dr Ace Simpson in presenting Leadership Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita will not only be useful for Indian business leaders, but will provide the psychological and philosophical insights for Western business leaders too. -- Balakrishnan Muniapan, ― Associate Professor in Human Resource Management, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia\nDr Ace Simpson’s well-structured thesis on sustainable, empowered leadership from the perspective of the Bhagav