The Company We Keep: Insights into Indian Corporate Culture by Divya Khanna

 

Culture makes us who we are.

It shapes our attitude, our behaviour, and influences nearly every decision we make consciously or sub-consciously.

Culture however does not exist only in a single person. It exists collectively, in a group. Culture expresses goals through values and beliefs and guides activity through shared assumptions. An empowering and balanced work culture can create an ethos of like-minded individuals that can cause organizations to thrive and grow.

With the pandemic and economic recession hitting us the last few years have been tough on us both individually as well as at work. Leading to a rise in stress all around.

A good Work-life balance is the need of the hour now more than ever.

The Company We Keep: Insights into Indian Corporate Culture by Planner and Strategist Divya Khanna is a book that delves into the Indian corporate culture, focusing on its pressure points, its vulnerabilities, its successes. The jugaad that makes it tick as well as why there is a need for jugaad itself.

“In country with a history that glorifies sacrifice and martyrdom, work is a worthy cause and there is a measure of pride in our attitude even as we complain of its burden. “

Setting the book apart is its narrative style that is interspersed with the perspectives of the people on the ground. Their stories, their real life struggles, experiences, successes and their aspirations for the future.

The book delves deep into pertinent issues like cultural undercurrents, stress, gender guides; lifestyle compensations like workaholism and the corporate lifecycle and shifting goals.

Filled with nuanced opinions of leading industry experts, Kalyani Capoor, Psychotherapist, Ashok Capoor, Business Consultant, RR Nair, Hr. Consultant and Rohit Krishan Gulati, Architect & Interior Design Consultant; the book gives an informative perspective on the issues that face Indian Corporate Culture.

So what are the issues that plague our industry?

As Kalyani Capoor asks “Is pursuit of success the problem?”

It’s time we consciously look within and around us to make our work-lives more balanced, productive but most of all happier.

As Divya Khanna fittingly observes, capturing the underlying currents flowing through the corporate world, “We all need to feel a sense of purpose, even though our definitions of it may vary”.

 

I really enjoyed reading this ARC, it was very informative. It raised some very pertinent issues that need looking into. Hope you liked my fair and honest review.

Happy Reading🙂