What do you think?
Rate this book
The Secret of Leadership
The Secret of Leadership : Stories to Awaken, Inspire and Unleash the Leader Within
Leaders are like teabags. Only when you put them in hot water do you know how strong they really are.
Bestselling author Prakash Iyer uses simple but powerful anecdotes and parables from all over the world to demonstrate what makes for effective personal and professional leadership. Iyer draws lessons from sources as diverse as his driver, a mother giraffe, Abraham Lincoln and footballers in the United Kingdom. He shows how an instinct to lead can be acquired while flipping burgers at a fast food chain. All of these stories come together in an explosive cocktail to unleash your inner leader.
About the Author:
Prakash lyer is the bestselling author of The Habit of Winning. In a corporate career spanning more than twenty-five years. he has worked with teams selling everything from soaps and colas, to watches, yellow pages and diapers. He is currently the managing director of Kimberly Clark Lever.
Passionate about people and cricket Prakash is also a motivational speaker and trained leadership coach. An MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, he is married to Savitha. and they have twin children. Shruti and Abhishek.
Leaders are like teabags. Only when you put them in hot water do you know how strong they really are.
Bestselling author Prakash Iyer uses simple but powerful anecdotes and parables from all over the world to demonstrate what makes for effective personal and professional leadership. Iyer draws lessons from sources as diverse as his driver, a mother giraffe, Abraham Lincoln and footballers in the United Kingdom. He shows how an instinct to lead can be acquired while flipping burgers at a fast food chain. All of these stories come together in an explosive cocktail to unleash your inner leader.
About the Author:
Prakash lyer is the bestselling author of The Habit of Winning. In a corporate career spanning more than twenty-five years. he has worked with teams selling everything from soaps and colas, to watches, yellow pages and diapers. He is currently the managing director of Kimberly Clark Lever.
Passionate about people and cricket Prakash is also a motivational speaker and trained leadership coach. An MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, he is married to Savitha. and they have twin children. Shruti and Abhishek.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
111 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 14, 2013
The one thing i can say about this book is "clear " and "neat"(yes two things). Its my second non-fiction book. don't know how other people look at this book when they finished, but i felt good when reading. If you are on the way to success and there is more hindrances what will you do ? Try ? or Back off ? Okay ? Lets take the positive side "Try", So you are trying...... still you finds more barriers ?? There is a chance to give it up. There is a chance to don't try circumstances. To resolving the problem and ripe the fruit is a heaven made happiness. Simply, This book gives some confidence level to heart.
Whenever i look at motivation books, i just take that, read the back cover of the book and just drop it to the same place in same shelf(I think what are they going to say ? anything new ? they just say study and be active and then get a good job. Fed up of hearing same words. and i don't want to read the same).But when i took this book, my heart felt that this book should have something in it. No other extra graphical images in the cover but still it admired me.
I really don't know about prakash Iyer, when i just to begin this book. But I just want to read ! don't know why ! but i need to. His way of writing shows that he is so much experienced. Obviously some like me gets boredom when reading about some famous person's biography. but in this , i didn't. I already familiar with Some of the anecdotes in this book. but still it didn't bored me.
From Tea Bags to Pencil-Eraser combo, all good !!!
Whenever i look at motivation books, i just take that, read the back cover of the book and just drop it to the same place in same shelf(I think what are they going to say ? anything new ? they just say study and be active and then get a good job. Fed up of hearing same words. and i don't want to read the same).But when i took this book, my heart felt that this book should have something in it. No other extra graphical images in the cover but still it admired me.
I really don't know about prakash Iyer, when i just to begin this book. But I just want to read ! don't know why ! but i need to. His way of writing shows that he is so much experienced. Obviously some like me gets boredom when reading about some famous person's biography. but in this , i didn't. I already familiar with Some of the anecdotes in this book. but still it didn't bored me.
From Tea Bags to Pencil-Eraser combo, all good !!!
November 2, 2013
Similar to his first book, Prakash Iyer has been faithful to his storytelling style. Every little nugget of management mantra opens the eyes of the reader to a dimension which might be too obvious, but in a completely different light altogether.
There are two school of thoughts on leadership, while one believes that leaders are born, the other believes that leaders can be forged through making them test under different situations. Clearly, Mr. Iyer is a strong believer of latter!
Two most amazing insight personally for me was the 'teabag' & the 'Driver's licence' reference.. All in all a must read & a must have book for any book enthusiast in his/her collection.
This is not the kind of book which one reads only once, this is the kind of book that one cherishes every time he reads!
There are two school of thoughts on leadership, while one believes that leaders are born, the other believes that leaders can be forged through making them test under different situations. Clearly, Mr. Iyer is a strong believer of latter!
Two most amazing insight personally for me was the 'teabag' & the 'Driver's licence' reference.. All in all a must read & a must have book for any book enthusiast in his/her collection.
This is not the kind of book which one reads only once, this is the kind of book that one cherishes every time he reads!
December 28, 2017
It's a good book to read, lots of beautiful inspiring stories which will enhance your daily routine work and give so many different perspective to see the world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2013
You will find a lot of things in this book that you already knew. It has been in your learnings as your grew up. So why is this book so good? Because it reminds you what you have forgotten. Simple things like getting up in the morning helps you be healthy and productive all day. Get up even if you fall; that is how you learn to walk in the first place.
A lot of his experiences make you feel that anyone can do it. Not everyone is a born leader but with effort, everyone can be a leader. A very motivational book to treasure.
A lot of his experiences make you feel that anyone can do it. Not everyone is a born leader but with effort, everyone can be a leader. A very motivational book to treasure.
May 3, 2020
One of my friends recommended this book. I am very much thankful to him for recommending this to me.
The book is filled with anecdotes that will give you a lesson worth learning & charge you up. I would recommend this to everyone who is on the path to building/becoming/achieving something in life. The correct set of leadership skills helps you smoothly achieve your goals. It eases the execution. This book will help you gather the right leadership mindset!
The book is filled with anecdotes that will give you a lesson worth learning & charge you up. I would recommend this to everyone who is on the path to building/becoming/achieving something in life. The correct set of leadership skills helps you smoothly achieve your goals. It eases the execution. This book will help you gather the right leadership mindset!
May 10, 2016
The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark-Michelangelo
short, easy and enjoyable stories with something to learn in each of the story.
Extra half star because its foreword is by none other than my favourite Rahul Dravid.
short, easy and enjoyable stories with something to learn in each of the story.
Extra half star because its foreword is by none other than my favourite Rahul Dravid.
May 12, 2015
I'd call it "The Secrets for Better Life". The book not only reveals the secrets of perfect leadership but also tells small stories which teach huge lessons. It's worth reading. The lessons are so original and unique in their own ways.
Great Book !!
Great Book !!
September 11, 2024
This book is pretty simple read. Author has given simple and close examples available in day to day life to inspire. Message is clear; who wants to draw inspiration can easily do but with right intention.
A few of the messages I want to keep it here for myself -
Passion, hunger and discipline are the keys to unlock success.
Look for hot water aka challenges where we can show our grit.
In journeys, there will be failures. Its important to get up every time we hit failures.
Position or designation are ok but real value is to do work in right way every time.
Draw inspiration from everyone but be happy on your progress; comparing yourself with yourself.
Be practical but don't limit yourself also overly. Sometimes, we do not know even our strengths.
Look for opportunity in every hardships and failures.
Look for positivity instead of putting focus on negativity.
Run with your mind - which simply means that its always possible to do more with conviction, dedication and discipline.
Focus on opportunities not on obstacles.
Confront your fear - only way to handle fears.
Keep moving with your goals, targets etc.
Be righteous in whatever you do. End of the happiness is about doing right thing in right way.
Grudges don't help anyone and certainly not you. Learn to keep glass down.
Retain your humility.
Talk to people genuinely.
Focus on broad picture also.
Use your energies in best way - identify best goal a worthy one and automatically life energies will be channelized in positive way.
Don't assume anything. Be clear in setting expectations.
My fav-
A strong why trumps a set of 'hows' and 'whats' any day. Once you have a strong why - a goal, a dream, a mission that you have bought into - the 'hows' and 'whats' are easy to find.
A few of the messages I want to keep it here for myself -
Passion, hunger and discipline are the keys to unlock success.
Look for hot water aka challenges where we can show our grit.
In journeys, there will be failures. Its important to get up every time we hit failures.
Position or designation are ok but real value is to do work in right way every time.
Draw inspiration from everyone but be happy on your progress; comparing yourself with yourself.
Be practical but don't limit yourself also overly. Sometimes, we do not know even our strengths.
Look for opportunity in every hardships and failures.
Look for positivity instead of putting focus on negativity.
Run with your mind - which simply means that its always possible to do more with conviction, dedication and discipline.
Focus on opportunities not on obstacles.
Confront your fear - only way to handle fears.
Keep moving with your goals, targets etc.
Be righteous in whatever you do. End of the happiness is about doing right thing in right way.
Grudges don't help anyone and certainly not you. Learn to keep glass down.
Retain your humility.
Talk to people genuinely.
Focus on broad picture also.
Use your energies in best way - identify best goal a worthy one and automatically life energies will be channelized in positive way.
Don't assume anything. Be clear in setting expectations.
My fav-
A strong why trumps a set of 'hows' and 'whats' any day. Once you have a strong why - a goal, a dream, a mission that you have bought into - the 'hows' and 'whats' are easy to find.
December 29, 2017
Out of curiosity, I picked up this motivational work of Prakash Iyer and just finished reading. “The Secret of Leadership” has been proclaimed as national bestseller. As mentioned on the cover it contains stories to awaken, inspire and unleash the leader within.
It is full of inspiring and motivating stories and explanations. Before reading Iyer’s temptation on discipline, I have set DISCIPLINE as my motto for 2018 and the PhD acronym by him is even fueling my enthusiasm. His stand for PhD is:
Passion,
Hunger and
Discipline.
For the awkward word of Hunger here, which definitely does not mean a craving need for food or any other specific nutrient, but the “want to win”. “Are you really really Hungry for success?”, He asks.
I recommend this book to young leaders in business, administration and entrepreneurship. And surely, to day dreamers too.
It is full of inspiring and motivating stories and explanations. Before reading Iyer’s temptation on discipline, I have set DISCIPLINE as my motto for 2018 and the PhD acronym by him is even fueling my enthusiasm. His stand for PhD is:
Passion,
Hunger and
Discipline.
For the awkward word of Hunger here, which definitely does not mean a craving need for food or any other specific nutrient, but the “want to win”. “Are you really really Hungry for success?”, He asks.
I recommend this book to young leaders in business, administration and entrepreneurship. And surely, to day dreamers too.
November 19, 2020
"Leaders are like teabags. Only when you put them in hot water do you know how strong they really are"
Receiving books as gift holds a very special place in my heart, this one was gifted by CHRO on my last day in the organization, which makes it even more special.
#PrakashIyer is a common name in the corporate world; an alma mater of IIM-A and a wonderful career of 25 years in the business world is a humble introduction of him.
Apart from all his other achievements, he is a prolific story teller, he has a knack of picking the intense topics and simplying the same through the use of anecdotes and parables from all over the world.
#thesecretofleadership is a must read for everyone who is working with a team for the simple reason - Leading is a lot different from Managing!
Receiving books as gift holds a very special place in my heart, this one was gifted by CHRO on my last day in the organization, which makes it even more special.
#PrakashIyer is a common name in the corporate world; an alma mater of IIM-A and a wonderful career of 25 years in the business world is a humble introduction of him.
Apart from all his other achievements, he is a prolific story teller, he has a knack of picking the intense topics and simplying the same through the use of anecdotes and parables from all over the world.
#thesecretofleadership is a must read for everyone who is working with a team for the simple reason - Leading is a lot different from Managing!
June 11, 2022
In my last review I remarked that I don't read books with a purpose. Seems Prakash made a book just to be read without purpose. !
I love the small anecdotes, parables in the book.... but found the book seriously lacking in purpose. I don't get how Prakash defines leadership -- but most of the stories in the book talk of successful people (not necessarily leaders). It seems to a collection of newspaper clippings & anecdotes. More like The chicken soup for the XXXX.
I was also attracted to the book because of a foreword from Rahul Dravid. I am a huge fan of Rahul Dravid, and hence was expecting a very different book.
Overall, easy read for the young. Pickup before your flight/train. Don't come with any expectations. Enjoy the stories.
I love the small anecdotes, parables in the book.... but found the book seriously lacking in purpose. I don't get how Prakash defines leadership -- but most of the stories in the book talk of successful people (not necessarily leaders). It seems to a collection of newspaper clippings & anecdotes. More like The chicken soup for the XXXX.
I was also attracted to the book because of a foreword from Rahul Dravid. I am a huge fan of Rahul Dravid, and hence was expecting a very different book.
Overall, easy read for the young. Pickup before your flight/train. Don't come with any expectations. Enjoy the stories.
June 29, 2020
Non-Fiction! This word itself a nightmare to many readers and least preference to start with.
Every day/person in life teaches us a lesson and an opportunity for us to learn. Mr. Prakash has observed and heard people very well and jotted it all down to explain Leadership. You don't have to be at the summit to be a leader, you can be one at every level of life. May it be home, office, or elsewhere, one can learn and implement.
A series of short stories all embedded and made it into a wrap that you can wear anytime.
The book revolves around passion, hard work and state of mind of a person and how it can be utilized at it's fullest.
Every day/person in life teaches us a lesson and an opportunity for us to learn. Mr. Prakash has observed and heard people very well and jotted it all down to explain Leadership. You don't have to be at the summit to be a leader, you can be one at every level of life. May it be home, office, or elsewhere, one can learn and implement.
A series of short stories all embedded and made it into a wrap that you can wear anytime.
The book revolves around passion, hard work and state of mind of a person and how it can be utilized at it's fullest.
January 25, 2018
I got this book as part of the Christmas Gift a Book to a stranger, and as someone who doesn't read a lot of Indian authors, it was nice to read this wonderful book by Prakash Iyer. The book is fast-paced, witty, well-written and a pleasure to read. There are so many learnings that can only come with the kind of experience that Prakash has, but the tone is so inviting, friendly and gentle, it inspires the reader to read and think! The sports analogies, especially from the world of cricket, are a great bonus.
I would recommend the book to anyone in leadership role, or aspiring to be one.
I would recommend the book to anyone in leadership role, or aspiring to be one.
July 16, 2025
I’ve recently read a book named ‘The Secret of Leadership' by Prakash Iyer. This book is a compelling guide to becoming a better leader through simple but powerful stories. The author has given many cricket-related examples, which bring the lessons to life in a relatable and engaging way—especially for cricket fans. The book is accessible, insightful, and motivating—a recommended read for anyone who wants to lead with purpose, whether in life, work, or on the field.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2020
Simple yet profound! The reason I picked this book was because of the Foreword by my favourite man - Rahul Dravid. And as I flipped the pages, I discovered that the author himself is one as well - a thorough gentleman!
Praises for the author and not the book? The book is so wise with little snippets, few which are familiar, few forgotten, and many more from his own personal and professional experiences, that you cannot miss the point that he is one of those leaders that you can actually look up to and the love for cricket is totally out there! Great examples!
I was blown over by his subtlety, his eye for detail and for the first time I read a second person addressed as "she" and not the usual "he", in print!
Every story will invoke a thought and it is segmented well to keep the reader engaged. I couldn't read more than 2 stories in one sitting. It's deep.
Read it if it interests you!
Praises for the author and not the book? The book is so wise with little snippets, few which are familiar, few forgotten, and many more from his own personal and professional experiences, that you cannot miss the point that he is one of those leaders that you can actually look up to and the love for cricket is totally out there! Great examples!
I was blown over by his subtlety, his eye for detail and for the first time I read a second person addressed as "she" and not the usual "he", in print!
Every story will invoke a thought and it is segmented well to keep the reader engaged. I couldn't read more than 2 stories in one sitting. It's deep.
Read it if it interests you!
August 26, 2023
Initially drawn to the book due to the mention of "Rahul Dravid." It contains short, inspiring stories and is easy to read, making it suitable for entry-level readers. However, it doesn't delve too deeply into leadership topics and may not be the best choice for those seeking an in-depth exploration of leadership principles.
July 26, 2019
I read this pre-MBA. I picked it up from the Office of a MP I worked with. This gave me some insight about working in FMCG. But somehow, I was never very inclined towards it. A lot of my Bschool peers were surprised I had such an understanding.
June 8, 2020
Loved the book totally. I never had a bias towards leadership.
But this book changed my mindset towards leadership. The book is composed of 60 short stories, having each lesson in each story. This could be anyones life changing book.
But this book changed my mindset towards leadership. The book is composed of 60 short stories, having each lesson in each story. This could be anyones life changing book.
January 30, 2021
Definitely a one time read. The anecdotes in the books are really very inspiring. Having read the first book, the habit of winning , the style of writer was known. If this is the first book of the author , then you should definitely read it without thinking twice.
June 29, 2023
It was a good book. I enjoyed it. The thing I liked the most about it was that every lesson was expressed with the help of a story or anecdote. It felt like I was a kid all over agian. Reading my story book with a moral at the end.
September 13, 2024
Small book yet an interesting one. The author shares several points about leadership with an example or two that relates well.
Nice read, and when implemented in daily life - be it personal or professional - could yield greater benefits and value.
Nice read, and when implemented in daily life - be it personal or professional - could yield greater benefits and value.
January 3, 2026
Pros: very easy to read, stories to give examples of how you can apply each topic to your life, emphasis on putting others first
Cons: lots of cricket talk with technical terms, some overlap in topics
Cons: lots of cricket talk with technical terms, some overlap in topics
May 7, 2017
Amazing book which unleashes the already known to human minds in the most impactful manner of short stories! Great inspiration!
June 3, 2017
Useful handbook for leadership. Nice stories to convey the messages. One month to read the book. A lifetime to implement it.
November 10, 2017
Stort Inspiring stories on leadership
April 29, 2018
This is a good read with a lot of collection of short stories highlighting several important principles
February 19, 2018
Nice read! Small stories evidencing leadership traits.
March 29, 2018
A wonderful book . Must read for anyone aspiring to be a leader or want to know how leaders are.
April 3, 2018
It’s a very good book written in a very simple language. It expresses lessons through simple stories yet they are very powerful.
August 16, 2018
what a way to deliver the thoughts, quotes and motivating stories, well written by Prakash, a real secret of leadership
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews