How India Works: Making Sense of a Complex Corporate Culture

by Aarti Kelshikar

An article in the Harvard Business Review once said that the most valuable skill for the 21st century manager is the ability to work across cultures. Around the world, it is increasingly recognized that an understanding of a country's work culture plays a significant part in success at one's job. Every group of people has subtle drivers of behaviour, values and beliefs, an understanding of which could help you navigate your way around the workplace.

Indians are no exception. We have some innate strengths that we seldom take credit for. Like the uncommon capacity to deal with ambiguity and to think on the fly; the emphasis we place on forming and sustaining relationships at work; and the willingness to go beyond the call of duty as we see our jobs as an extension of our personal lives. And then there are traits that may confuse the uninitiated at first and need some getting used to - such as saying 'yes' to an assigned task when we actually mean 'no', our flexible attitude to time, and the famous Indian head wag.

Based on extensive interviews with corporate leaders - Indians as well as expatriates and repatriates, who offer insider and outsider perspectives on the psyche of the Indian in the workplace - How India Works is a guide to the cultural nuances and complexities of working in India. It will make your life in office a little easier.

Genres: India, Nonfiction, Business

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2018

Reviews

[Bookishbong Moumita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am some one who has a big confusion about the Corporate life . I have read many books related to this topic but nothing has helped me . The author has covered every little topic here in this book, like hierarchy, time management, work relationship, work-life balance and why our Indian corporate culture works in this way . She has given day to day details and struggles , such as saying 'yes' to an assigned task when we actually mean 'no'. In this book the author has shared her personal experiences in this field and this has made the readers easy relatable . The use of anecdotes have made the book more interested . The book hasn't only given the insight of the corporate culture , but it also has included advices from expatriates and repatriates , which helps to give a hint to achieve success in this corporate world . Apart from the content , the good quality of paper and cover have made this book more attractive .

It's definately a 5/5 read !

[Harshita Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indian corporate work environment is distinctive in itself owing to its varied cultures and languages but when it is compared to other countries’ work domains, it has its own variations.
Well, I guess most of you guys who work in the corporate sector must have read tons of articles or write-ups on Indian corporate work culture and the differences that exist compared to other western countries. Such write-ups cite differences majorly on points like hierarchy, time management, work relationship, work-life balance etc.
So, where many websites or blogs offer about Indian corporate culture, then why How India Works needs to be read? and what’s new in this book?
Most importantly, this book answers why the Indian work culture is the way it is. The author tries to lead us to the affairs of the cultural nuances of working in India through her experience and based on extensive interviews with corporate leaders.
The use of anecdotes brings in more fun to the reading. They helped to reflect how things happen in Indian corporate world. For instance, while telling the significance of titles in Indian work culture, the author quoted an amusing example of how a change in the title could make difference!
“Dear sirs, because of my change in title, I got married. Until now, nobody wanted to get married to me because I was a business developer, now I am a manager! The company has given wings to my dreams. Thank you!”
The author describes the intricacies of the Indian way of doing things, be it about managing deadlines, time management, communications, negotiating nuances and personal touch with professionalism and the noted Indian head wag.
“The head wag? I love it! In fact, I take it back to England with me. I find it easy to do, though it’s taken me time to understand it.”- Virginia’s take on head wag.
Along with giving out her insights on Indian cultural nuances, the author has also included few sets of advice from expatriates and repatriates for making it work with Indians in the corporate environment. No doubt, the book has some really considerable points.
Having packed up with author’ experiences and interesting responses of the interviewees, How India Works is an easy read with good pace.
This is an appreciative book especially for non-Indians to gain a good perception of the Indian work culture and what to expect from it and how they could associate with the culture. The book is a must read for them and also for the potential collaborators to understand about the Indian working style.

[Jurgen Maerschand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, a great read and oh so recognizable. As an expat in my 5th year in India, I liked the mix between real-life examples/situations and more profound background explanations on the origins on some of the cultural traits that make India so unique. Best savored in bits and pieces, at least that's how I read it. Specifically appreciated the "negotiating nuances" and "sugar, spice and some advice"chapters. Bottom line: embrace India, and this book :-).

[Jai Divecha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was truly pleased to read this book. Speaks volumes of the effort and time the author, Aarti Kelshikar, must have contributed in the making of this book. I'm very sure reading this book will give people - especially those coming in from different countries and cultures - a great amount of insight about what to expect during their tenures in India...and also what not to expect. The book is quite a thorough coaching manual for the reader. I think the author has covered and traversed the concerned issues in an exceptionally complete fashion. It sure was interesting to go through many of the real life incidents and experiences of some of the subjects. This kind of makes you relate more in terms of what to face in the actual scenario. Reading and referring to this book is going to be a handy and worthwhile exercise, especially for many of those people coming from various countries who are likely to spend some periods of their work life in India. This book definitely shows the author's sincere and thorough efforts in highlighting the do's and don'ts, as well as the upsides and downsides of working in corporate India.

[Kanchan Mandanekar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has not just picked a very relevant topic for the book but has done complete justice to it. The book covers all the nuances one would want to know if working in India or with Indians.

I found the book especially amazing as how being an Indian professional, I possessed a lot of the traits without even consciously knowing it! It also offered great advice on what I could do about some of those traits to collaborate better with global teams. Similarly, it made me aware of the strengths I could further max on as an Indian.

This book was highly recommended to me by a very good American work friend who found it in her another American boss' recommended list. The book surely is helping diverse audiences.

[Mayank Dixit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book with some insights as to what a person should keep in mind if he is on a work to India. Repatriates and foreigners both have been addressed comprehensively. Book is simple written and is worth a read

[Mamunuru Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A breezy read, especially for those who have spent their career in corporate world. The book is mostly anecdotal and presents various aspects of work life in Corporate India. The book tries to make sense of the corporate culture and tries to address as to how Expats and repatriates negotiate complex Indian work psyche. The book presents the work culture of Indians , But fails to answer why we have this culture? What are the social, cultural and attitudinal underpinnings that make us behave the way we behave at work place. The book collates all experiences of Expats and repatriates and also working resident Indians which makes an interesting read.

Before taking up any analysis the following questions come to mind:

What is our concept of " productive work"?
Do we have any respect for "honest work"?
Do we have "dignity of labour"?

What are the social, cultural and attitudinal underpinnings that make us behave the way we behave at work place?

One can see the author has dealt with the following realities of Corporate work life.

Time a casualty in an Indian setting
Schedules are not sacrosanct for an Indian Executive
We have very low inter personal trust.
We have no concept of doing thing right first time
Perfection is not a passion for us
We don't have work life balance.
We mix up personal & official thus failing on both fronts.
Personal relationship is an important aspect of work

Author acknowledges the above as reality of the Indian corporate scene. But what is it in our psyche which makes these attributes so common with Indians? Is it our attitudes towards work as such or is it our world view? OR Is it the result of ours being a very "low trust society"? Surprisingly the above traits are absent when we are working abroad! Unless we analyse the underlying reasons for our work culture and address them, we can not make a mark. There may be many positives with our diversity, innovation (Jugaad), intuitive thinking etc, but people who want to engage with us won't be comfortable with us. We may rationalise that there is beauty in this chaos but it is of no use when we are not calling shots.

The book was a good read. There is nothing to disagree with the author . She made the book very interesting.

[Devanshi Sanghani · Rating 4 out of 5]

How India Works: Making sense of a complex corporate culture.

The book emphasis on the Indian corporate nuances that exists in the economy as compared to other countries in the world. Everything has its Pro's and Con's. The book has not only emphasised on the Con's part but the book also lets a reader know about the Pro's of working in the Indian Corporate Culture. India being a country with variety of cultures and multi-lingual in all aspects do lack a little in the corporate world and falls into the complex structure. Author has specified opinions of highly acknowledged people who are mostly Expats and the opinion in some or the other way around is true as a matter of fact. Since I myself am working in a corporate culture there were a lot of things I could relate myself with.
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It speaks about the significance of hierarchy in the Indian corporate culture. Everything has two sides. Hierarchy has its pros and cons and both have been noted by the Author in the book.
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It speaks about the significance of communication in the corporate culture. It states that feedbacks are something that are rarely expressed or ideas are not freely shared when one asks for it.
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It speaks about the significance of time.
Work commitments not getting fulfilled on time, employees not being punctual for their meeting.
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It speaks about the significance of Negotiation in the work culture.
There are alot of nuances though however one cannot put forth all of it. Author has placed all the important issues that needs to be taken into consideration. Author has even mentioned how other people who are mostly Expats have tackled all these issues with their employees during work.
Something that will add up to your knowledge about Indian Traits.
Understand your own work culture with the help of this book and bring about the change in it.

[Harsh Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a thoroughly entertaining read which - as the title suggests - unravels how and (more importantly) why things are done the way they are in India.

Each chapter is informative and packed with examples. The author makes excellent observations that are simple and practical. Even if some of the cultural quirks presented here might already be familiar to readers, what sets this book apart is that the author explores them from different perspectives and offers a good mix of factual information and intuition to explain where they’re coming from. The main strength of this book is in the wealth of wisdom from a number of thought leaders in Indian business. The author has done a great job of distilling years of cultural training into a readable manual on understanding the Indian way of doing things.

This book is not just recommended for non-Indians interested in getting a deeper understanding of how things are done in the Indian workplace. It is also greatly useful for Indians working or studying abroad. The core concepts that the book talks about are universal and relatable. They will resonate with you if you’re an Indian working with others or if you’re someone who works with Indians.

[Anirudh Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must read for every person who will be dealing with Indian companies irrespective of their nationalities. I, being an Indian , and being in the corporate space for nearly 2 years had a lot to uncover.

There are lots of openly hidden and implicit rules of the Indian workplace that sometimes baffles not only outsiders but insiders as well. Phenomenon like project which was stated to complete in 2 weeks, under the manager's pressure is completed in few days. Our penchant for not saying no but coming up with various excuses, our ability to not take criticism. Our chalta hain attitude which results in shoddy craftmanship and jugaad solutions.

Though not all is bad, we value relationships and business often happens when you spend time building relationships especially in India.

The best part about the book is that even though the author lists down all sorts of problems, the author goes a step further and provides solutions for them as well. These are solutions from expats to her own experience.

Really recommend this book to someone who is perplexed by the beast of office culture.

[Ashwini Devare · Rating 5 out of 5]

India is a land of contrasts, which can frustrate and fascinate any outsider. Aarti Kelshikar brings to life the quirky and unique aspects of India’s corporate culture which makes her book a go-to for anyone who is looking to work in India.
Packed with anecdotes and details, Aarti delves into the complexities of India with flair and gives your detailed insights that reflect her meticulous research.
'How India Works' is laced with witty observations that make you smile and nod in agreement- such as the famous Indian head shake and Indian Standard/Stretchable Time! She makes some great points about the Indian character- how they navigate ambiguity and uncertainty far more effectively than some other cultures, which stems from having grown up in an environment where things can change at a moment’s notice.
A most useful book for expatriates, repatriates as well as those who live in India. Offers a great perspective on the psyche of the Indian in the workplace, and how to navigate the corporate terrain in India.

[Divya Khanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“India, with its contrasts and contradictions, can be overwhelming – to an outsider coming in, yes, but even to Indians who have lived here all their life.”

This quote is essentially why I would recommend this book, not just to the expatriates it is written for, but to everyone working in corporate India. Aarti recognizes the complexity of her subject and approaches it with sensitivity and tact. Related through a series of relatable anecdotes, she addresses all the nuances and subtleties of a diverse corporate culture without making sweeping generalizations. It’s easy to recognize not just one’s co-workers but even oneself in the stories she tells. Aarti’s insights are valuable for understanding the Indian corporate environment and our own tendencies that may help or hinder our careers. She also reveals how we Indians stack up in the global corporate environment, very useful information to have in today’s competitive world.

[Sankalp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive book diving into the cultural nuances of the Indian corporate world! While it might find itself in the business section of a bookstore, it is an absolute joyride thanks to the easy style of the author's writing and the generous number of anecdotes.

The author draws from her experience in intercultural consulting and interviews numerous corporate leaders to presents hard truths and interesting perspectives, albeit in the most unassuming way. How India Works is relevant not only to expats and repatriates, but also to Indians. The book helped me - an Indian - understand why things in corporate India are the way they are, made me self-reflect and taught me how to play to my strengths better. Most importantly, the book entertained me through all 187 pages of it.

I highly recommend this book and see myself gifting it to dozens of my friends and colleagues working in India and abroad.

[Sujata Tiwari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aarti has captured a diverse , complex topic brilliantly by capturing the narrative with simplicity. It is engrossing and riveting as if one is talking with the author in real time. The Indian psyche and how they operate and behave on multi-layer patterns is 100 percent accurate and the perspectives have been laid out in a factual manner. While being India specific she has managed to capture behavioural patterns which are ASEAN and Global in perspective. One can get glimpse and insights of everyday life in India which drives how Indian operate and which many fail to appreciate. Once you start reading you need to finish it at one go as it begs the reader’s attention by being engrossing. Waiting to read the next book.-Sujata

[Divya MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on the corporate culture of India and Indian minds. In today's world where diversity and multicultural way of working is important on everyone's agenda.This book explores the mind of the Indians and the cultural nuances.A must read fir those who work with Indian colleagues to understanding why they behave in a certain way. Important concepts such as affective trust that is so ingrained in the culture to get things going. If you are a boss trying to make sense of the feedback given by an Indian employee this book will tell you the why's behind it.Recommend this book to be in every corporate manager's reading list

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but well done. I was looking for tips and tricks to work better with some team members based in Pune, India. While this book was a bit more for those moving to India or from India for work, I still found it helpful and also really even-keeled.

I was worried about stereotypes and generalizations but this book does a good job basically being like, “Indians are people and have personalities just like everyone else, however here are some cultural pointers” so I appreciated that.

[Bhadra K V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repatriation for a HR manager invariably takes more than your routine hygiene checks and you are very much involved in the entire lifecycle of their stint here.All parties involved prefer the cultural and locational transition to be as smooth as possible and this book serves as a little guide book to set the expectations right. Of course it takes a lot more detailing to make it work in an organizational context but in a broad generalised way the book hits the bull's eye.

[Cyril Danthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

while reading the book, i could recollect few memories working in a multinational company and the culture. The author has made sincere efforts in touching every part of complex culture working in India from Yes boss syndrome to negotiations that are day to day efforts.
This books glides through different style, approaches, incidents and anecdotes in each of the chapters which are really funny ! but its the truth.
A good time pass read !

[Neeta Rao · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOW INDIA WORKS : Complete guide of the corporate culture,corporate world .Aarti has really contributed so much to make this book a success ! Strategies,leadership,communication, learning,people,customers, corporate culture all well defined Its a complete guide to people living in India and people coming to India.
It was fun reading.Enjoyed each n every chapter so well informative set with examples.No confusion at all bcoz of it's easy style of writing and yes ,not to forget those anecdotes at proper places.
Waiting for a sequel soon.Good Luck Aarti !

[Dr. Kiruthiga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will be helpful to foreigners to work in India and also Indians who return from overseas, especially wish to continue their career in an Indian working environment. It gives insights to people who want to stay shortly in India and work in an uncertain environment. Got good perspective from foreigners' viewpoint particularly what and how they feel about Indian working environment, people's attitude and time management.

[MH · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read about "why" we behave the way we do. I have re-lived my corporate life through this book. It felt like walking through the offices in India and reading people's minds. Even though India is a diversified culture, there is a common thread running through it. It's a great book for Indians and non Indians to read to understand their Indian colleagues/ work environment better.

[Vaibhav Sarkale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting book! Aarti has managed to capture the subtleties of Indian work environment and its various shades in a beautiful way. The book approach is anecdotal rather than based on quantified analysis which makes it very easy to read and assimilate. For foreigners/expats alike, this is a great introduction to the wonder that is Indian workplace! Must read for all MBAs.

[Raj Bidika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book beautifully narrates the working culture of India. The pros and cons of Indian culture are explained briefly and also prove that Indian corporate culture is less transactional-based and more relationship-based. I would definitely recommend this book to people who desire to understand the Indian corporate culture and succeed in their professional life.

[Vish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book places the fact of indian mindset in offices as it is... preoccupied with hypocrisy even above their exemplary hardwork and skill

[Josef Hrubec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very suitable navigation to whoever plans to do business in India or whoever is going to cooperate with Indians. Loads of insightful and relevant tips. Read with one breath.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book! Love it!

[Divya Gonnabathula · Rating 1 out of 5]

A huge disappointment reading this book. I was hoping that it will go deeper into the various nuances of Indian work culture - sadly it doesn't do that.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty average.

[nimesh s rathod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Insights by the author on the nuances of local mannerisms and practices. Worth a read through for sure

[Yugam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative read