The Professional - Reviews
“In this moving and deeply empathetic book, Subroto Bagchi analyses the attributes of a true ‘professional’. His exemplars include humble undertakers as well as top corporate heads, unsung but devoted nurses as well as headline-grabbing sportspersons. The stories he tells are both salutary and charming-they deal with routine happenings and with emergencies, and take place in offices, hospitals, banks, and airports. From these richly varied experiences, Bagchi explains how to conduct one’s career with both intelligence and integrity. This fine book will command a deservedly wide readership.”
- Ramachandra Guha, author of India after Gandhi
“This book is important because it equates professionalism with an inspirational capacity to serve with total integrity - a central attribute of the most important changemakers of our time.”
- Bill Drayton - Founder, CEO and Chair of Ashoka
Review by Prof. R. Sathyanarayanan
“The Professional”, is precisely prescriptive in nature. This is a definite guide book for students and young professionals. That doesn’t mean that older people do not have takeaways; there are many actually.
Read more…
- Head of the Marketing & Communication and Retail Varsities, Chennai Business School
January, 2010
Review by Misha Shukla
- Delivery Manager, Managed Services (AIS), Fujitsu Consulting India Private Limited
December, 2009
Who is a real professional?
November, 2009
Management Net
To the core of the core
October 11, 2009
The Financial Express
Book Extract: Taking Charge
October 10, 2009
Forbes India
How can young MBAs be top Professionals of tomorrow? Subroto Bagchi’s new book ‘The Professional’ offers answers
October 10, 2009
MBAUniverse
For the first time India is known for her professionals
October 08, 2009
Rediff
Pros all the way
October 02, 2009
The Hindu Business Line
Understanding the idea of professionalism
September 23, 2009
The Hindu Business Line
The mark of a true professional
September 20, 2009
The Hindu
Yesterday, I received the much-awaited Book—The Professional–which I mail-ordered a week ago. I couldn’t help but gobble-up all the pages in one-hour go. Each and every paragraph connects with reality so much so that I felt as if I’m reeling my own experiences as I recollect and reflect each message. Unlike the two earlier books by the same author, this book is structured as a set of touching messages with narrative of no more than two or three pages each. Though the author recommends reading it sequentially from the beginning to the end to imbibe that ‘professional formulae’, I find that even if one starts reading it by leafing through any random page I bet that he wouldn’t resist the temptation to switch back to the beginning and go non-stop till the end. I liked very much the presentation style, authenticity of the message and power of storytelling in this book, the only other book–somewhat similar in style–that came to my mind is ‘The Greatness Guide’ of Robin Sharma.
The section that I particularly paused, read and re-read was “The Responsibility of Dissent” and the example of ‘Satyam saga’. I find the author’s observations are very insightful, analytical and thought-provoking for any professional who would find him/herself in situations where one is tempted to discount his/her conscience or professional judgment when playing ‘yes-man’ to the powers be. Let me quote the last paragraph which says,
“…When professionals get together, they assume that the purpose of every meeting is to get consensus. But consensus is not always beneficial and can sometimes lead to disasters. These can be avoided if each professional in a group exercises his responsibility of dissent and the purpose of the group’s decision making process is shifted from the urge to agree to do the right thing.”
Nicely drafted and well demonstrated the professionalism. I thank the author for saying Integrity should be the first and must for a professional. Every individual in an organization should understand this. Another part which I liked the most was authenticity and proactive. Arrive before physically arrive….nice one. Many more like this…
Thanks for the wonderful book Mr. Subroto sir. Every Industry person should read this.
Regards,
Iyyappan MR
The book is really good in terms of bringing out the essential qualities for a professional in any field. I think we should make this book a part of the regular curriculum for all undergraduate and postgraduate courses for all colleges in India. By implementing it, students will come out more informed of the need for professionalism, which will make them stand out in this ever changing world.
I will highly recommend this book to all my peers and friends who are in or will be entering the corporate world. Thanks for writing this wonderful book, Subroto.
This book will remain as a landmark among all of your writings.
Hi Subroto,
Last year I did wrote a comment on this blog that “GO KISS THE WORLD” just moved me and I bought the first one “HIGH..” and read it. Similarly I could not wait since i read about “PROFESSIONAL” in this blog.
Yesterday I bought it from Sapna, Jayanagar and started reading in the night. I completed around 50 pages. Amazing flow, I can’t stop praising about your writings. In last three weeks I started reading 3 to 4 books which I bought them during the last year but none of them were really making me interested. With your new book, I cant wait myself to complete it today and recommend to all my colleagues and friends.
Thanks and keep writing such wonderful master pieces.
Regards
Venu
Hi Subroto Sir,
I visited Sapna Books and was about to step out, I happened to see the advertisement of your book. So there was no other question in my mind. Just go and buy. I just read the chapter “Burial of the dead”. I was really so impressed by the way you have narrated it. I have read your both the books. But this is really superb. Superb. Superb and fantastic. Your “high performance entrepreneur” is about to make me a social entrepreneur. I am starting up an organization by jan 2010. And I hope “The professional” will make me a true professional. Congrats Subroto sir. Would love to meet you once (atleast for just 2 minutes).
I am a slow book reader but i surprised myself by finishing it in a day. It was simply unputdownable.
I started and finished it yesterday and today i have handed it over to my colleague. I had promised her some other book but gave her this instead.
I always used to think that great businesses are built in shades of grey. Atleast some of them that i know. But this hs changed my perception that you need not compromise and black and white works. While there are temptations you are answerable to your ownself.
This book can do wonders to a lot of us i m sure. Thanks Subroto. I am already looking forward for some more from you.
Dear Subroto,
I bought “The Professional” at the Bangalore International Airport on my way to Mangalore.Indeed,a very thought provoking book. I have read almost 50% of the book in a day and wanted to share my thoughts about it.
Some of the points like Integrity, being proactive etc are amazing. I was truly taken aback by the policies of Mindtree when you talked about the Whitebook(which is regularly updated).As for me,I hold these values very close to my heart as taught to me by my parents.Though I have not risen to any great levels but I am sure I will.
Your book has made me feel like I was talking to a like minded person.Every single point in the part 1,2 & 3 are somethings that I try to follow very earnestly.I was amazed by the instances of the phone call made to the reporter and the NGO activist from Chennai in your “Commitment to Commitment”. I truly believe in that. Either you commit and deliver or don’t commit.
Indeed,I am rather blessed in a way to be in a position to take cues from your book and follow. But,I think the work is not complete until we inculcate these habits in the minds of the children who are the future of our country and the world. Please let me know if I can contribute anything to the same. I would be more than happy to do it. Apart from the book, I also read the “Circle of Life” from your company’s website.Your approach towards touching base with the roots(parents)is quite amazing.Keep the good work going.In case, you differ from my opinions or thoughts, you are free to write back to me on my mail or call me at +91 9901488220.
Thanks a lot for the nice book.. Keep writing Subroto..All the best…
Warm Regards,
Rajesh
I bought Forbes India magazine’s latest issue on Saturday night. The first article I came across was of this Book Review where a story from the book was published. I went back to Crosswords…and bought this book. I read every single word in 5 hours (2 sittings). I couldn’t help noting down things. So far I thought I am good professional but after reading this book, I came to know that there are many a things important for a true professional. The best part was examples from all walks of life.
I’ll recommend this book to anyone and everyone for its compelling nature.
Dear Subroto,
A successful Indian businessmen rarely writes a book, which I always missed. I am big fan of Jack Welch but somewhere in his writing lacked the Indian Context. But you have filled that gap to a larger extent by writing 3 excellent books covering all the topics needed for a Professional / Businessmen. Your books had a profound impact on my professional life. I will always be grateful to you and will try to inculcate the thoughts shared by you. I will love to meet you and spend a day with you. I know it is difficult for you but not impossible.
Keep writing and keep inspiring!!!
Dear Subroto,
I enjoyed reading your new book The Professional. Yes, it is preachy, but I find that many of our young friends need to be told directly, they are not adept at picking up subtle hints!
I think the issues you have covered are pretty comprehensive. But there are a few points that I would add. Some of these are perhaps implied in what you have written, but more explicit mention would help.
One important aspect of professionalism is respecting the work of others. I find in many organisations that technical people have a disdainful view of functions such as HR and Admin, and don’t realise or acknowledge that HR and Admin have an important role to play in providing the environment in which techies work. I am also amazed by the impolite way in which several of our “educated” and “professionally qualified” friends behave with people doing “manual” tasks. Some of the examples you have given (Mahadeva, the customer service person in the Japanese store) hint at this, but I would have preferred a more direct reference to this.
Another important dimension is acknowledging the contribution of others. Many times, in a team context, the leader takes the credit for things that have been accomplished without acknowledging the contribution of his or her team. I would consider that distinctly unprofessional behaviour. A related issue is free-riding - for example, in R&D teams, many times the team leader’s name is routinely appended to all disclosures, patent applications, or papers written even though s/he may have made no identifiable contribution to the intellectual property created. My wife (who works at GE) has a nice practice – she asks her colleagues on her team to identify what her specific contribution is if they want to include her name on the disclosure/paper.
As a professional, one should value the professional contribution of others. I had an interesting experience a couple of years ago. I had given a talk on “Strategic Management of Intellectual Property” at a CII event. Shortly thereafter, a manager from the Bangalore R&D Centre of a leading MNC technology company came and invited me to give a similar talk as part of his company lecture series. I told him that I would be happy to, but also suggested that there should be a professional fee in return for the talk. I explained to him that in the same way that they would expect their knowledge to be paid for by their internal or external customers, it was only fair that they pay me in return for accessing my knowledge. I also told him that I would not negotiate on the quantum of money, but I was more interested in the principle involved. Being new to the company, he was not sure of the company’s policy, so he agreed to discuss this with his boss and get back. I was really amazed when he got back and told me that in the past they had not been paying academics for giving talks and that it would be difficult to change the “policy.”
Responding to calls/letters/emails is another area in which professionalism is lacking in India. While there is no doubt that a senior corporate executive would receive a number of unsolicited communications each day, and it may be physically impossible for him to personally respond to all of them, what surprises me is that most of them don’t have a system to deal with such communications.
On the subject of integrity, I am really glad that you have emphasised the importance of having a clear Integrity Policy and walking the talk. A few years ago, a colleague (Prof Manohar Reddy) and I had conducted a survey of the ethical attitudes of our students. While all such surveys have their limitations because of their dependence on self-reported responses, we found a consistent pattern over a few years. About 20% of our students see themselves as “aggressively ethical” – i.e. they would stand by their values and beliefs, and what is right, under any circumstances. At the other end of the spectrum, about 10% are totally ends-driven – they will do whatever it takes, including actions that would be considered unethical by others, to achieve their own goals. The interesting group is the big 70% in the middle. They will be shaped by their environment, go with the “hawa” and what the organisation says. This is the reason why a clear corporate code and integrity policy is so important.
Regards
Rishi