Straddling ups & downs of career

Technology and work life are constantly transforming, rendering jobs obsolete and moving the goalposts for performance. The present day executive faces many challenges as the old days of steady jobs in safe posts are passe. But no matter what, the responsibilities remain as they always were: to the company, colleagues one works with or leads, to one’s family and to oneself. In this scenario of contradictory goals and ambidextrous skills, how does one cope up and keep improving? Nirmalya Kumar’s Thinking Smart gives one the ideas and wisdom that will help in managing people, teams, strategy and finances. 

Taking the reader through his own crisis of getting fired from the Tata Group as a strategy expert and working with former Chairman of the group, Cyrus Mistry, Kumar explains candidly the enriching experience of being at the top and experiencing a sudden downfall. 

However, it is difficult to overlook the obvious bias  towards his job and Mistry himself, but looking at the bigger picture, the reader can gain a lot about the practical aspects of work-life and what it is like having such highs and lows in one’s career. The book consists of 52 chapters and is perfect for anyone struggling to manage life, work and everything in-between. 

Facing the corporate rat race and sudden upheaval and downfall, how one manages that and turns out victorious, is what Kumar talks about with vivid teachings and examples and definitely leaving the reader with various questions about the Tata Group. 

— Pragatti Oberoi