Biography
Ashok is a management consultant, based in Bengaluru. He works in the areas of Individual and Organization Development. Understanding the salient features of Indian identity is of special interest to him. He has authored a framework and suite of tools called EUM(Existential Universe Mapper)which has been deployed in more than 200 organizations covering more than 10000 people, across the globe. The findings from this data are available in his book Indian Managers and Organizations: Boons and Burdens (a Routledge publication) His other publications include Child Man- the Selfless narcissist
'This reflective and sophisticated work shows how Indian managers negotiate two different perspectives: their civilizational predispositions and their Indianness, and the imperatives of their corporate role that have their roots in modern Western civilization. With its solid empirical foundations, brilliant insights and wide-ranging scholarship, this book is an invaluable guide not only for students and practitioners of management but for all those who are interested in the interplay, often uneasy, between the workings of traditional cultures and a West-centric modernity.'
– Sudhir Kakar, psychoanalyst, novelist and scholar
'This is an important and deeply perceptive book that uses data collected over the years to mark the evolution of, not just the Indian manager, but also of the educated, urban Indian over the last few decades. This book will become a standard work on the subject.'
– Vir Sanghvi, print and TV journalist and author
'A much-needed book as most writings about India are filtered through Western lens. This book is a refreshing change as it delves deep into the Indian identity of the present. A must-read for contemporary Indians to find their freedom from the mortgages of the past, and discover their own uniqueness.'
– Indira J. Parikh, President, Antardisha and Professor and former Dean, Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad
'The book fascinates. It offers a kind of symphony for life and work for the Indian managers amidst the noise within. Ashok is incisive. He is tender as well as he unravels the struggles with the dualities of two dominant intrinsic identities – the Indian and the Western – an Indian manager lives and works with.'
– Shomu Acharya, CEO, eTrans Solutions, India
'This book is an insightful analysis that would be of great value to business leaders and managers who are interested to understand the complexity of Indian work life and family life.'
– Ajeet Mathur, Professor, Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad
'A must-read for those who believe traditionalism impedes, even the twenty-first century Indian manager from embracing modern corporatism. The author provides deep insights into the reason as also the potential and ideas to co-hold these disparate yet powerful belief systems.'
– L. Lakshman, Chairman Emeritus, RANE Group, India
'Ashok Malhotra, through this book answers the question “Is there a way of looking at the Indian psyche that is insightful, honest and dignifying?” By adopting frames of reference that do not fit us, we do great disservice to ourselves and hold our propensities in doubt or shame. Ashok offers every Indian a framework backed by deep research that will provide a foundation for pride tempered by critical self-appraisal.'
– Raghu Anathanarayanan, Director and Chief Consultant, FLAME TAO Knoware, India
