Alchemy of Change: Managing Transition through Value-Based Leadership

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.

Dr H. N. Arora is an organization change specialist. He retired as Group Corporate Head HR and IR, Escorts Group, after having held top positions in Bhilwara group, Reliance, Indian Rayon and so on. He has closely observed the management philosophy of the founder of Reliance Group, late Sri Dhirubhai Ambani, in action. Dr Arora has helped many MSMEs and large industrial conglomerates in successful change management efforts, sometimes in seemingly hopeless situations. Subsequently, he did his doctorate on change management and leadership under Dr T. V. Rao.

Even now, Dr Arora continues as an adviser/consultant to many organizations. He is a keen observer of human collective behaviour, and a strong believer and practitioner of value-based leadership.

He is an enthusiastic student of Indic thought and philosophy.

Rajan Sinha is the Chief Executive Officer, Mantrana Consulting. He is a PCC-level certified Life and Leadership Coach from Coach For-Life, Inc., USA. Formerly being the Head of Human Resources with many organizations such as HMT, Escorts (including Escorts Heart Institute), Denso India, OCM and so on, Rajan is an adviser, trainer and coach to many corporates and NGOs. He has also facilitated hundreds of workshops and training programmes in India, the Middle East and East Africa. He is one of the renowned psychometric assessors in India with the most international certification.

His other major works have been in the area of design and implementation of HR systems, policy making, team building and so on in India and abroad. He is also doing a fellowship at the Academy of Human Resource Development, Ahmedabad. He is a keen photographer and traveller.