Corporate Chanakya – Ancient Wisdom for Modern Success

Spring has brought sunny days to Norway, lighting up smiles everywhere. Amid a hectic period at work, where my team built and deployed a new ML model to enhance our system’s user experience, I found time to read Corporate Chanakya by Radhakrishnan Pillai. Having listened to the audiobook, I was drawn to this book to explore how Chanakya’s ancient wisdom applies to today’s corporate world.

Who is Chanakya?

Chanakya (350–283 BCE), also known as Kautilya, was an Indian philosopher, strategist, and “Kingmaker” who mentored Chandragupta Maurya to found the Maurya Empire by 321 BCE. A Takshashila scholar, he overthrew the corrupt Nanda dynasty using alliances, espionage, and guerrilla tactics. His Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft, is often compared to Machiavelli’s works for its pragmatic approach.

Why Corporate Chanakya?

This book caught my eye for its promise to translate Chanakya’s teachings into modern corporate strategies. Pillai organizes the Arthashastra’s ideas into 13 sections and 175 chapters, allowing readers to pick topics relevant to their roles—whether in management or not. Chanakya, a commoner who toppled a king, shows that leadership is about mindset, not position.

Key Takeaways

• Chapter 4: Writer highlights Chanakya’s warning against six negative traits leaders must avoid: Kaam(Lust), Krodha(Anger), Lobha(Greed), Mana(Pride), Madh(Arrogance) & Harsha(Over-Excitement). These echo modern works like Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, but were written over 2,000 years ago.
• Chapter 74: To reduce attrition, Chanakya suggests valuing HR, mentoring by CEOs, and building a unique company culture. Yet, Chapter 75 advises employees to seek bigger roles when growth stalls.
• Chapter 167: On job loss—a hot topic in today’s tech layoffs—Chanakya emphasizes a “ready-to-learn” attitude, urging individuals to assess their skills and align with market needs, akin to finding one’s ikigai.

My Thoughts

The book offers practical insights, easily relatable to corporate challenges. However, its lack of narrative flow and which make it hard to stay engaged, requiring dedication to extract value. I also wished for direct Arthashastra quotes, to connect with Chanakya’s original words. While insightful, the book feels niche, appealing mainly to those interested in strategy or philosophy.

Rating: 2.5/5

Corporate Chanakya is a valuable resource for corporate professionals seeking timeless wisdom, but its dry style and niche focus limit its broad appeal. Recommended for readers willing to invest time in decoding its lessons.