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Mind Without Fear
For nine years, Rajat Gupta led McKinsey & Co.--the first foreign-born person to head the world's most influential management consultancy. He was also the driving force behind major initiatives such as the Indian School of Business and the Public Health Foundation of India. A globally respected figure, he sat on the boards of distinguished philanthropic institutions such as the Gates Foundation and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and corporations, including Goldman Sachs, American Airlines, and Procter & Gamble.
In 2011, to the shock of the international business community, Gupta was arrested and charged with insider trading. Against the backdrop of public rage and recrimination that followed the financial crisis, he was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail. Throughout his trial and imprisonment, Gupta has fought the charges and maintains his innocence to this day.
In these pages, Gupta recalls his unlikely rise from orphan to immigrant to international icon as well as his dramatic fall from grace. He writes movingly about his childhood losses, reflects on the challenges he faced as a student and young executive in the United States, and offers a rare inside glimpse into the elite and secretive culture of McKinsey, "the Firm." And for the first time, he tells his side of the story in the scandal that destroyed his career and reputation. Candid, compelling, and poignant, Gupta's memoir is much more than a courtroom drama; it is an extraordinary tale of human resilience and personal growth.
In 2011, to the shock of the international business community, Gupta was arrested and charged with insider trading. Against the backdrop of public rage and recrimination that followed the financial crisis, he was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail. Throughout his trial and imprisonment, Gupta has fought the charges and maintains his innocence to this day.
In these pages, Gupta recalls his unlikely rise from orphan to immigrant to international icon as well as his dramatic fall from grace. He writes movingly about his childhood losses, reflects on the challenges he faced as a student and young executive in the United States, and offers a rare inside glimpse into the elite and secretive culture of McKinsey, "the Firm." And for the first time, he tells his side of the story in the scandal that destroyed his career and reputation. Candid, compelling, and poignant, Gupta's memoir is much more than a courtroom drama; it is an extraordinary tale of human resilience and personal growth.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2013
181 people are currently reading
2389 people want to read
About the author
Rajat Gupta
31 books43 followersRajat Kumar Gupta was the leader of McKinsey & Company, Inc., from 1994 to 2003. He was also a board member of major corporations including Goldman Sachs, Procter & Gamble, and American Airlines and advisor to the United Nations, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the World Economic Forum. He served as chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation advisory board, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the International Chamber of Commerce, and was the founding chairman of the Indian School of Business, the American India Foundation, and the Public Health Foundation of India.
Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, in 1948, Gupta attended the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and traveled to the United States to attend Harvard Business School in 1971. After graduating from Harvard, he joined McKinsey, where he would spend his entire thirty-seven-year consulting career, including his nine-year term as the firm's leader.
During his final years with McKinsey and after his retirement, Gupta transitioned from business leader to business statesman, bringing his wealth of experience to bear on some of the most pressing global issues around public health and education. His philanthropic endeavors impacted the lives of millions, and the institutions he created still thrive to this day. In 2011, Gupta was charged with insider trading and found guilty. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which he served at FMC Devens in Massachusetts.
Since his release in January 2016, Gupta has resumed his work in health and education, and added a new focus on criminal justice and prison reform. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Anita, and is the proud father of four daughters and grandfather to four granddaughters.
Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, in 1948, Gupta attended the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and traveled to the United States to attend Harvard Business School in 1971. After graduating from Harvard, he joined McKinsey, where he would spend his entire thirty-seven-year consulting career, including his nine-year term as the firm's leader.
During his final years with McKinsey and after his retirement, Gupta transitioned from business leader to business statesman, bringing his wealth of experience to bear on some of the most pressing global issues around public health and education. His philanthropic endeavors impacted the lives of millions, and the institutions he created still thrive to this day. In 2011, Gupta was charged with insider trading and found guilty. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which he served at FMC Devens in Massachusetts.
Since his release in January 2016, Gupta has resumed his work in health and education, and added a new focus on criminal justice and prison reform. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Anita, and is the proud father of four daughters and grandfather to four granddaughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
April 19, 2019
Among the many, many talents that this man possesses, one that I have personally experienced is his narrative skill. Rajat Gupta has been one of the few men I have been in awe of, purely because of his academic and professional accomplishments at such a fast pace - the calendar boy/man of white collar elitism who broke through the white barriers of the most creamy glittery layer of American, and for that matter, global corporate inner circles. I had started this book with a heavy doubt on it turning out to be a public defence of a supposedly unfair judgment in the courts of law in which he was declared guilty of insider trading at Goldman Sachs, and at the end of it, it does succeed in instilling doubt on the fairness of the trial, but more than that, it paints a grand, self-critical picture of a life lived not necessarily well but to its completeness. It taught me some very crucial lessons on the importance of family, true friends and hard work in a convincing manner.
It is one of the very few non-fiction books which I have read cover to cover, and the first autobiography. Highly recommended.
It is one of the very few non-fiction books which I have read cover to cover, and the first autobiography. Highly recommended.
September 14, 2020
A book, a memoir that is straight from the heart. It is a book that reminds you once again that life can never be only black or white. There can be many shades of grey to it and in fact the shades of black and white may just pale in comparison to the ominous grey.
It is a grim reminder of the fact that life is a roller coaster ride where the downs can test an individual’s core, his raison d’etre. At that point it is only the values embedded in the individual, his mindset and his resolve to stay adrift that can see him through. And one needs nerves of steel to be able to do that. This book I feel is a great read for young corporates and those aspiring to get into that space. It is about the author’s high flying corporate journey, his experiences and the lessons he learnt from it.
I don’t want to judge the legal aspect of his life or dwell on it because to my mind he has paid a heavy price for something that could not be proved beyond doubt. What I feel and can say for sure is that the book rings of honesty and manages to touch the reader’s heart. There are always two sides to a story and everyone has a right to present their side which is what this book is largely about. There are so many instances which one can relate to, experiences that anyone of us could have had. More specifically people who have been exposed to the corporate world in one way or the other can relate to the book in a big way. The perennial lack of time, the travel, the rushing from one meeting to the other, the pressure of returning calls, coping up with the targets, the deadlines and then to top it all trying to juggle family life along with all of this can take a toll on a person’s mental and physical health. I have seen at close quarters as to how punishing this kind of a schedule can be. And in the midst of all this it is inevitable that a person makes mistakes whether in terms of wrong business calls or incorrect assessment of people and then may have to pay the price and a heavy one as happened in his case. This can be a good eye opener for young people.
There are great lessons to be learnt from this book. For instance, all aspiring leaders can pick up a rule or two, if not all from ‘The Eight Laws of Rajat Gupta’ which are based on a close observation of his leadership put together by two of his friends:
1. If someone else wants to do it, let him.
2. If you have ten problems, ignore them- nine will go away.
3. Being there is 90% of the game.
4. You can’t push a noodle; find the right angle and pull.
5. The softer you blow your trumpet , the louder it will sound.
6. There is no such thing as too much work or too little time.
7. Listening takes a lot less energy.
8. When in doubt, invite them home.
The book is full of many such nuggets of wisdom that can be picked up and imbibed.. What I feel is that putting aside the issue of his legal troubles one can learn a lot from his life. After all it does take a lot to reach where he managed to considering his early days. Someone who can rise from being an orphan to an immigrant and then to an international icon must have got something right.
Another aspect of his personality that the book brings out is the fact that he is a man who values relationships and built a number of long-lasting ones over the course of his life. Not only was he there for his wife and daughters, but even for his extended family consisting of his siblings and their families and his wife’s siblings and their families. He was there for all of them and then even for friends and acquaintances.
And a great plus point is that though the book belongs to the inspiring genre, it doesn’t try to inspire or teach life lessons in a typically boring fashion. It manages to keep you hooked and you want to get to the end. I think it is also because it is an easy read and has a conversational tone to it. I managed to finish reading it in two days!!
All said and done I strongly feel that a man who could rise to such heights with no backing at all and that too in a country that wasn’t his by birth must have done something right to get there. Let’s applaud that and get motivated to reach the zenith of our lives.
He says:
‘A leader is one who can motivate his colleagues and get things done without making them feel that it was the leader who actually had the idea and got the work done’
‘If you worked hard and lived with integrity, you would be rewarded and recognized without having to push yourself in people’s faces’
‘If you have done your best and you have worked with the best of intentions, then results don’t matter.’
‘Life is a series of experiences. None is inherently good or bad- it is what you make of it.’
At Harvard which was a culturally unfamiliar environment, he learnt to assert himself by:
‘Rather than trying to be like everyone else, I could focus on my strengths and use my difference to my advantage’
And the biggest lesson to my mind
‘One cannot always control what happens in life, but one can always choose how one responds’
A great read all in all..
It is a grim reminder of the fact that life is a roller coaster ride where the downs can test an individual’s core, his raison d’etre. At that point it is only the values embedded in the individual, his mindset and his resolve to stay adrift that can see him through. And one needs nerves of steel to be able to do that. This book I feel is a great read for young corporates and those aspiring to get into that space. It is about the author’s high flying corporate journey, his experiences and the lessons he learnt from it.
I don’t want to judge the legal aspect of his life or dwell on it because to my mind he has paid a heavy price for something that could not be proved beyond doubt. What I feel and can say for sure is that the book rings of honesty and manages to touch the reader’s heart. There are always two sides to a story and everyone has a right to present their side which is what this book is largely about. There are so many instances which one can relate to, experiences that anyone of us could have had. More specifically people who have been exposed to the corporate world in one way or the other can relate to the book in a big way. The perennial lack of time, the travel, the rushing from one meeting to the other, the pressure of returning calls, coping up with the targets, the deadlines and then to top it all trying to juggle family life along with all of this can take a toll on a person’s mental and physical health. I have seen at close quarters as to how punishing this kind of a schedule can be. And in the midst of all this it is inevitable that a person makes mistakes whether in terms of wrong business calls or incorrect assessment of people and then may have to pay the price and a heavy one as happened in his case. This can be a good eye opener for young people.
There are great lessons to be learnt from this book. For instance, all aspiring leaders can pick up a rule or two, if not all from ‘The Eight Laws of Rajat Gupta’ which are based on a close observation of his leadership put together by two of his friends:
1. If someone else wants to do it, let him.
2. If you have ten problems, ignore them- nine will go away.
3. Being there is 90% of the game.
4. You can’t push a noodle; find the right angle and pull.
5. The softer you blow your trumpet , the louder it will sound.
6. There is no such thing as too much work or too little time.
7. Listening takes a lot less energy.
8. When in doubt, invite them home.
The book is full of many such nuggets of wisdom that can be picked up and imbibed.. What I feel is that putting aside the issue of his legal troubles one can learn a lot from his life. After all it does take a lot to reach where he managed to considering his early days. Someone who can rise from being an orphan to an immigrant and then to an international icon must have got something right.
Another aspect of his personality that the book brings out is the fact that he is a man who values relationships and built a number of long-lasting ones over the course of his life. Not only was he there for his wife and daughters, but even for his extended family consisting of his siblings and their families and his wife’s siblings and their families. He was there for all of them and then even for friends and acquaintances.
And a great plus point is that though the book belongs to the inspiring genre, it doesn’t try to inspire or teach life lessons in a typically boring fashion. It manages to keep you hooked and you want to get to the end. I think it is also because it is an easy read and has a conversational tone to it. I managed to finish reading it in two days!!
All said and done I strongly feel that a man who could rise to such heights with no backing at all and that too in a country that wasn’t his by birth must have done something right to get there. Let’s applaud that and get motivated to reach the zenith of our lives.
He says:
‘A leader is one who can motivate his colleagues and get things done without making them feel that it was the leader who actually had the idea and got the work done’
‘If you worked hard and lived with integrity, you would be rewarded and recognized without having to push yourself in people’s faces’
‘If you have done your best and you have worked with the best of intentions, then results don’t matter.’
‘Life is a series of experiences. None is inherently good or bad- it is what you make of it.’
At Harvard which was a culturally unfamiliar environment, he learnt to assert himself by:
‘Rather than trying to be like everyone else, I could focus on my strengths and use my difference to my advantage’
And the biggest lesson to my mind
‘One cannot always control what happens in life, but one can always choose how one responds’
A great read all in all..
November 24, 2019
Strategy consultants have often been considered the Brahmins of corporate world. And McKinsey was the high priest even among the Brahmins. Caesar’s wife wouldn’t measure up to the same standards as McKinsey believed for itself. Being from McKinsey meant you had an implicitly accepted higher standard of ethics and governance and of course intellectual rigour and connectivity.
When I joined McKinsey, two decades ago, this was the aura of the firm. And the added bonus was the fact that at the helm was an Indian born consultant, probably the youngest ever to become global MD of this brahminical firm. Not that it ever mattered to us in our day to day work, but you couldn’t but help be proud of the fact that the Global MD was an Indian born consultant.
Thus when the Rajat Gupta insider trading scandal broke, it was quite a hard landing. Suddenly being a McKinsey alum meant you were defending the firm even without knowing what the facts of the case were. In due course, the story died down and all of us moved on, but for someone from McKinsey the scandal and the subsequent conviction rankled.
The evidence, circumstantial at best, was still quite damning. Here was the McKinsey boss and a Goldman director, calling Rajaratnam literally seconds after the board meeting got over and Rajaratnam making money over it. While Rajat Gupta was not seen to be benefitting from this, he did have his whole other arrangement with Rajaratnam (Voyager) and NSR. Clearly there must have been some side dealings, some quod pro quo. These high and mighty think they can get away with murder even.
Such was the emotion, especially as it came in the aftermath of the GFC when enough people lost a lot and were baying for blood, someone’s blood.
Rajat Gupta got convicted and went to jail after what could be called a mockery of a trial. The story got over for most with some form of justice haven’t been served. Yet, one didn’t know his side of the story. Why was he calling Rajaratnam so often and so soon after such critical discussions? What was his quid pro quo? Did he succumb to the greed of a few dollars more, after such a trail-blazing career? Or was there something more, something rather innocuous, which could explain his actions.
Through this book, Rajat Gupta tries to present his side of the story, complete with his childhood and value systems, his meteoric rise in the corporate world, of all the philanthropic initiatives he led, and his eventual downfall.
As they say, one often gets identified by the company one keeps. What better example than the case of Rajat Gupta for having friends like Rajaratnam. It’s the company which eventually brought him crashing to the ground.
“Mind Without Fear” is a rather personal account of the man and his family, and the trauma they went through. It’s a personal account of all the people who at best turned their backs on him or worst betrayed him and of the over-zealous and potentially politically motivated government attorney.
Fortunately for him, Rajat also had friends who didn’t give up on him even as we went though the nadir of his life. The stoic support of his friends and family during what he describes as one of the toughest periods of his life, is quite gratifying.
I for one choose to believe that what Rajat did was not a case of misdemeanour but one of misjudgment. And he has more than paid the price of it.
Whatever be another reader’s views on Rajat’s innocence, the book holds tremendous learnings for all of us who carry a significant fiduciary responsibility by virtue of our jobs or positions of influence and access. It’s a stark warning of one mid-step can bring the carefully built reputation and glory crashing down in an instant, with no way to undo the damage.
Barring some editorial clean-ups, it’s a must read.
Thanks Rajat for writing this book.
April 9, 2019
I can't believe one man could achieve so much in his life. I found this book very inspirational in many ways. Lots of great learnings on how to build your career without compromising on family. And the work Rajat has done to better society is mind boggling. It's really unfortunate that he was convicted for a crime he didn't commit. I hope he continues his pursuit of making a difference in the world.
October 27, 2020
I am giving this 3.5 stars ... The initial story about how he reached the top position in McKinsey is very inspiring ... Also, his struggles in the jail make for an interesting read. Though its a bit hard to believe the explanation he gives for his innocence ....
March 30, 2019
Can be ignored . The book is about an over achiever who makes it sound very easy of how he made it in life. The twist Gupta gives in his memoirs is how what happened to him was a set of unfortunate circumstances one after the other and worst being Preet Bahara being where he was.
The pro of the book is to see the irony of life how it can go any way.
All in all can be ignored .
The pro of the book is to see the irony of life how it can go any way.
All in all can be ignored .
April 20, 2019
Rajat Gupta was the Managing Director of @mckinseyco and also served as a board member of major corporations including @goldmansachs @proctergamble @americanair and advisor to the @unitednations @rockefellerfdn and the @worldeconomicforum . He served as chairman of the @bill_and_melinda_gates @globalfund and the International chamber of commerce. He was also the founding chairman of the @isbindia , The American Indian foundation and the Public health foundation of India.
In 2011, he was charged with Insider Trading and he chose not to testify for circumstantial reasons. He was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and 20 M USD fine.
For the first time, finally, he tells his side of the story.
Pick up this book for a glorious and extremely inspiring tale of one of the most influential global business icons of our times who had to go through the worst of the times at the peak of his career for a crime that he allegedly never committed.
In 2011, he was charged with Insider Trading and he chose not to testify for circumstantial reasons. He was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and 20 M USD fine.
For the first time, finally, he tells his side of the story.
Pick up this book for a glorious and extremely inspiring tale of one of the most influential global business icons of our times who had to go through the worst of the times at the peak of his career for a crime that he allegedly never committed.
April 1, 2019
Started this book with some cynicism. It's hard to empathize with a global icon who had it all and seemingly wanted more. Finished feeling considerably softer. Good, simple read. The first half dealing with his rise is itself among the better Indian business memoirs you will see. The 2nd is about a man who loves his family. I want to trust this man. Can I, though?
September 12, 2021
One of my favourite business biographies. Rajat Gupta led McKinsey for quite a long time, and spent practically his entire career there. He traces his journey from Calcutta, to the hallowed halls of Harvard, before ending up at McKinsey. A lot of the book is a detailed exploration of how he made a success of his time at McKinsey. He attributes this (in part) to his ideals and values. For one, he never tried to mask his differences - at the time, few Indians were ever in positions like his. Far from trying to homogenise himself with his peers, he showed new clients aspects of his culture and heritage, often inviting them to his home to have a home cooked Indian meal!
A particular lesson he evaluates throughout the book is “do what you think is right, and don’t worry about the outcome.” It’s an interesting idea, but one that requires quite a lot of detachment to accomplish. We see him expand on this more as he explains how he started shifting into more philanthropic work, such as setting up the Indian School of Business. This was quite interesting to me, as it reverberated with something I’ve seen mentioned in quite a few other books - do for others what you wish others might have done for you when you were in that same position. Gupta explains how when he was an undergraduate, the only real option for aspiring business leaders in India was to head overseas, at significant financial cost to themselves and their families. The Indian School of Business was apparently borne out of the desire to minimise this struggle in the modern day, by offering admission to a prestigious business school within the same country.
Of course, the elephant in this review (which Gupta addresses quickly) is his imprisonment for insider trading. He writes extensively about the events that transpired as the case was being tried, in proper courtroom drama fashion. I wasn’t very familiar with the details of the case before this book, and although every subsequent attempt to throw out the conviction was shot down, I reckon there’s enough in his account to generate reasonable doubt.
I think the major value of the book (to me anyway) was its introspection, particularly when Gupta describes his 7 weeks of solitary confinement. He emphasises the importance of forgiveness, acknowledging how hard this is, but showing how it is ultimately an important route to achieving some level of inner peace, granting us some sort of liberation.
As a whole, I really enjoyed reading this, it’s extremely well written. I loved the frequent Tagore quotes and abounding references to the Bhagavad Gita. Probably one of my favourite reads of the year.
A particular lesson he evaluates throughout the book is “do what you think is right, and don’t worry about the outcome.” It’s an interesting idea, but one that requires quite a lot of detachment to accomplish. We see him expand on this more as he explains how he started shifting into more philanthropic work, such as setting up the Indian School of Business. This was quite interesting to me, as it reverberated with something I’ve seen mentioned in quite a few other books - do for others what you wish others might have done for you when you were in that same position. Gupta explains how when he was an undergraduate, the only real option for aspiring business leaders in India was to head overseas, at significant financial cost to themselves and their families. The Indian School of Business was apparently borne out of the desire to minimise this struggle in the modern day, by offering admission to a prestigious business school within the same country.
Of course, the elephant in this review (which Gupta addresses quickly) is his imprisonment for insider trading. He writes extensively about the events that transpired as the case was being tried, in proper courtroom drama fashion. I wasn’t very familiar with the details of the case before this book, and although every subsequent attempt to throw out the conviction was shot down, I reckon there’s enough in his account to generate reasonable doubt.
I think the major value of the book (to me anyway) was its introspection, particularly when Gupta describes his 7 weeks of solitary confinement. He emphasises the importance of forgiveness, acknowledging how hard this is, but showing how it is ultimately an important route to achieving some level of inner peace, granting us some sort of liberation.
As a whole, I really enjoyed reading this, it’s extremely well written. I loved the frequent Tagore quotes and abounding references to the Bhagavad Gita. Probably one of my favourite reads of the year.
March 31, 2019
Everyone knew Rajat Gupta as the doyen of corporate America, a role model for immigrants and a testament to the meritocracy of the American capitalist system, who supposedly failed all those who trusted and vouched for him.
The book paints a picture of him as a victim rather than a conspirator- something that might fuel skepticism in critics while at the same time explain a lot to those who want to believe him innocent. However, this book has been his attempt to tell his side of the story, to take us through the values he developed over the course of his journey- in India, at HBS, then at McKinsey and after; the choices he made, and the guiding principles and guiding pillars that determined how he lived his life.
The book paints a picture of him as a victim rather than a conspirator- something that might fuel skepticism in critics while at the same time explain a lot to those who want to believe him innocent. However, this book has been his attempt to tell his side of the story, to take us through the values he developed over the course of his journey- in India, at HBS, then at McKinsey and after; the choices he made, and the guiding principles and guiding pillars that determined how he lived his life.
September 2, 2021
This is an exceptional biography – Gupta leads us through his journey from being an orphan in Calcutta, to Harvard Business School, to the helm of McKinsey and numerous philanthropic efforts, to his disgrace in the famed Galleon insider trading case.
It's hard to know what's true. You can't achieve such success without also having a gift for crafting narratives – it's worth noting that all of Gupta's subsequent appeals have been denied – but his side of the story casts more than reasonable doubt on the prosecution's case. For example, the prosecution couldn't prove that Gupta made any money from the alleged nonpublic tips (which I always thought was a necessary condition for something to be insider trading, but apparently not). The problem stems from the fact that the prosecution and the judges wanted Gupta to be guilty – post 2008, there was a sentiment that "someone" needed to be blamed. The government's lawyers seized on Gupta as an opportunity to advance their careers, rather than in the interest of "justice" (though can they be blamed for behaving as incentivised?)
Even setting all the courtroom drama aside – in fact, even if you thought Gupta was guilty – it's a wonderful read. We shouldn't forget that prior to the insider trading case, Gupta was in the top echelon of the business world – on the boards of companies like Goldman Sachs, in regular contact with former presidents and people like Bill Gates – so there is clearly a lot to be learnt from his success. But what I appreciated most was the introspective nature of the book: the internal debates about whether things could have been done differently, the verses of poetry from Rabindranath Tagore and the Bhagavad Gita, the parallels to tough choices his father made as a freedom fighter under British rule.
Read this if you're on the lookout for a different kind of business biography – Mind Without Fear certainly ranks among the best of them.
It's hard to know what's true. You can't achieve such success without also having a gift for crafting narratives – it's worth noting that all of Gupta's subsequent appeals have been denied – but his side of the story casts more than reasonable doubt on the prosecution's case. For example, the prosecution couldn't prove that Gupta made any money from the alleged nonpublic tips (which I always thought was a necessary condition for something to be insider trading, but apparently not). The problem stems from the fact that the prosecution and the judges wanted Gupta to be guilty – post 2008, there was a sentiment that "someone" needed to be blamed. The government's lawyers seized on Gupta as an opportunity to advance their careers, rather than in the interest of "justice" (though can they be blamed for behaving as incentivised?)
Even setting all the courtroom drama aside – in fact, even if you thought Gupta was guilty – it's a wonderful read. We shouldn't forget that prior to the insider trading case, Gupta was in the top echelon of the business world – on the boards of companies like Goldman Sachs, in regular contact with former presidents and people like Bill Gates – so there is clearly a lot to be learnt from his success. But what I appreciated most was the introspective nature of the book: the internal debates about whether things could have been done differently, the verses of poetry from Rabindranath Tagore and the Bhagavad Gita, the parallels to tough choices his father made as a freedom fighter under British rule.
Read this if you're on the lookout for a different kind of business biography – Mind Without Fear certainly ranks among the best of them.
The most important lesson that man can learn from his life is not that there is pain in this world, but that it depends upon him to turn it into good account, that it is possible for him to transmute it into joy…. Man’s freedom is never in being saved troubles, but it is the freedom to take trouble for his own good, to make the trouble an element in his joy. —Rabindranath Tagore
June 9, 2021
I turned to this book because I admired his leadership and management skills but his storytelling abilities will just leave you amazed. The way he used Rabindranath Tagore's short poems and quotes from Bhagwat Geeta is all too touching and impactful! The book offers some really great insights into connecting with one's inner self and accepting one's fate!
However, it's hard to tell from the book whether he is innocent or not but by the end of it, you become too eager to believe his version of the story and view him in an even more respected light of integrity and inspiration. What I feel is the book rings of honesty and manages to touch the reader’s heart.
Besides his successful career at McKinsey and other firms, it's really heartwarming to see how he used his entrepreneurial mindset and leadership capabilities in solving societal problems, directing NPO's like Gates Foundation, AIF and many more.
A worth read!
However, it's hard to tell from the book whether he is innocent or not but by the end of it, you become too eager to believe his version of the story and view him in an even more respected light of integrity and inspiration. What I feel is the book rings of honesty and manages to touch the reader’s heart.
Besides his successful career at McKinsey and other firms, it's really heartwarming to see how he used his entrepreneurial mindset and leadership capabilities in solving societal problems, directing NPO's like Gates Foundation, AIF and many more.
A worth read!
February 5, 2021
So, I picked this up and for the next 7 hours, I was kind of glued. Amidst all the things which have been said and read about Rajat Gupta, ranging from his rise in Mckinsey and subsequent conviction for insider trading, we somehow tend to ignore the narrative prowess this man possesses. This realization only hit me when I had finished the book after what seemed like an engrossing read. From the moment one reads the preface, it's a Herculean task to resist finishing this in one go. It was, at least for me.
Starting with the "crisis", book sheds light on his childhood and his fateful years at IIT Delhi and Harvard Business School. The chapters on his experience at McKinsey, detailing his eventual rise as the firm's first Managing Director born outside of the US, get slightly dull at times. However, for a serious reader, they actually help to get inside the mind of the author and to visualize things with his perspective. Some of the chapters especially towards the end are real deal and full of amazing insights about life in prison.
Some folks might interpret this as one of his attempts to finally tell his side of the story which even he admits. In fact, his regret for not testifying in the trial finds a regular mention in the book as well. Gupta at times, also seems to be over-critical of the US judicial system and repeatedly tries to hammer the point that he was ultimately wronged upon. This is something which can be interpreted as an attempt to paint a somewhat single-sided version of the events which transpired.
But, keeping that sense of judgement aside, there are a lot of lessons which might be gained from what seems like an honest attempt to take a look book and reassess the choices one has made in one's life. Especially for those who want to get a peek inside Rajat Gupta's mind, this one won't leave you discontented.
Highly recommended!!
Starting with the "crisis", book sheds light on his childhood and his fateful years at IIT Delhi and Harvard Business School. The chapters on his experience at McKinsey, detailing his eventual rise as the firm's first Managing Director born outside of the US, get slightly dull at times. However, for a serious reader, they actually help to get inside the mind of the author and to visualize things with his perspective. Some of the chapters especially towards the end are real deal and full of amazing insights about life in prison.
Some folks might interpret this as one of his attempts to finally tell his side of the story which even he admits. In fact, his regret for not testifying in the trial finds a regular mention in the book as well. Gupta at times, also seems to be over-critical of the US judicial system and repeatedly tries to hammer the point that he was ultimately wronged upon. This is something which can be interpreted as an attempt to paint a somewhat single-sided version of the events which transpired.
But, keeping that sense of judgement aside, there are a lot of lessons which might be gained from what seems like an honest attempt to take a look book and reassess the choices one has made in one's life. Especially for those who want to get a peek inside Rajat Gupta's mind, this one won't leave you discontented.
Highly recommended!!
April 6, 2020
Covid-19 has made people do things for which they were unable to find time.
I picked this up today. Started without expectations. And what a wonderful read it turned out to be.
Rajat Gupta is at the foremost of the rags-to-riches story and that of an immigrant dream.
You get to know the other side of the story. And you feel for the guy. So much money and connections with the best people in the world couldn't help him.
He makes you believe that he was framed. One single take away which I had was - Is it necessary for a favor to be returned in kind?
I picked this up today. Started without expectations. And what a wonderful read it turned out to be.
Rajat Gupta is at the foremost of the rags-to-riches story and that of an immigrant dream.
You get to know the other side of the story. And you feel for the guy. So much money and connections with the best people in the world couldn't help him.
He makes you believe that he was framed. One single take away which I had was - Is it necessary for a favor to be returned in kind?
June 1, 2021
It’s a good read . Needed a little more courage- like true and exact conversation between Rajat and Raj Rathnam in prison, how the ISB landed in hyd and not bangalore etc etc.
hopefully he will write a second book and lay it all bare just a little more .
hopefully he will write a second book and lay it all bare just a little more .
September 15, 2019
Very inspiring book in many ways. It tells us to be careful in the greedy world.
Yes. Sometimes justice system can be biased or over react.
Yes. Sometimes justice system can be biased or over react.
May 6, 2019
Rating 3.5/5
When Life Long-Lived reaches a Tragical Time
When Rajat Gupta was arrested on suspicion of insider trading, the entire financial world went into turmoil. Definitely not something Wall Street wanted in the aftermath of the collapse of Lehman Brothers. His face was splashed across newspapers and television screens, sensational headlines in the most reputed news sites milked the event. In 2012, he was convicted and the prosecutor, Preet Bharara, consolidated his position as the Harvey Dent of New York City. In 2018, Rajat Gupta is back with his side of the story.
The memoir starts with the author’s reminiscences about a barely remembered, but highly influential role of his father. Ashwini Gupta fought for the freedom of his country and was so charitable that his wife has to secretly save up money, lest the family should suffer from starvation. Having lost his parents in his teens, the author developed a grit that made him one of the most successful figures of the consulting and finance world.
Having worked as a consultant myself, I could definitely relate to several aspects of his work. Better still, I understood the consultant-speak. Weaving a narrative out of the entire misfortune, the author has depicted commendable acumen for story-telling. He has told his side of the story, pleading innocence with the readers, without sensationalising his misfortune. He has portrayed his victimhood without playing the victim. What I appreciated the most was his gratefulness towards his wife. Their story of love is hard to find in the current generation and seldom replicated elsewhere. On a surface level reading, Anita Gupta (nee Mattoo) may not be visible, but her support and strength pervade the entire book. You can feel her lingering support and sacrifices.
There were some aspects which rankled me: how could he remember the finer details of his sentencing without pen and paper? Part II of the book was a summary of his life: his parents’ death, his struggles (emotional and financial) and his (over)achievements throughout his career spanning almost four decades. His life looked spotlessly clean, personally as well as professionally. Which, we all know, seldom happens. The lucid and flowy writing compensates for this discrepancy (which is why I bucked up 3.5 to 4 stars).
Rajat Gupta has made sure to name (and shame) people who have wronged him. He has made sure to acknowledge and thank the ones who stood by him. He has observed the body-language and behaviour of many so-called “friends” and surely recognised the who his real friends are. The story resonated with me because my father is facing a similar trial by fire, and has similar regrets. Bad things happen to good people. But this is no reason why good people should stop being good.
By writing a book on his life, Rajat Gupta has made sure his mistakes, regrets and his lend itself to being a strong learning point for the readers.
When Life Long-Lived reaches a Tragical Time
When Rajat Gupta was arrested on suspicion of insider trading, the entire financial world went into turmoil. Definitely not something Wall Street wanted in the aftermath of the collapse of Lehman Brothers. His face was splashed across newspapers and television screens, sensational headlines in the most reputed news sites milked the event. In 2012, he was convicted and the prosecutor, Preet Bharara, consolidated his position as the Harvey Dent of New York City. In 2018, Rajat Gupta is back with his side of the story.
The memoir starts with the author’s reminiscences about a barely remembered, but highly influential role of his father. Ashwini Gupta fought for the freedom of his country and was so charitable that his wife has to secretly save up money, lest the family should suffer from starvation. Having lost his parents in his teens, the author developed a grit that made him one of the most successful figures of the consulting and finance world.
Having worked as a consultant myself, I could definitely relate to several aspects of his work. Better still, I understood the consultant-speak. Weaving a narrative out of the entire misfortune, the author has depicted commendable acumen for story-telling. He has told his side of the story, pleading innocence with the readers, without sensationalising his misfortune. He has portrayed his victimhood without playing the victim. What I appreciated the most was his gratefulness towards his wife. Their story of love is hard to find in the current generation and seldom replicated elsewhere. On a surface level reading, Anita Gupta (nee Mattoo) may not be visible, but her support and strength pervade the entire book. You can feel her lingering support and sacrifices.
There were some aspects which rankled me: how could he remember the finer details of his sentencing without pen and paper? Part II of the book was a summary of his life: his parents’ death, his struggles (emotional and financial) and his (over)achievements throughout his career spanning almost four decades. His life looked spotlessly clean, personally as well as professionally. Which, we all know, seldom happens. The lucid and flowy writing compensates for this discrepancy (which is why I bucked up 3.5 to 4 stars).
Rajat Gupta has made sure to name (and shame) people who have wronged him. He has made sure to acknowledge and thank the ones who stood by him. He has observed the body-language and behaviour of many so-called “friends” and surely recognised the who his real friends are. The story resonated with me because my father is facing a similar trial by fire, and has similar regrets. Bad things happen to good people. But this is no reason why good people should stop being good.
By writing a book on his life, Rajat Gupta has made sure his mistakes, regrets and his lend itself to being a strong learning point for the readers.
June 13, 2020
This was my first autobiographical books and I'm glad I came across it before I read any other autobiography. I have always idolized this man before I joined McKinsey and even after parting from the firm. The book has only increased my veneration for this man especially when it was much much harder for an Indian immigrant to achieve so much in the USA corporate circle. Much has been spoken about this sentence in other reviews hence I will not touch that area. I know as a woman in corporate things might not be as easy for me as it had been for Rajat during the 2nd stage of his life where he got immense support from his wife Anita to soar high, but nevertheless have taken many valuable lessons from this autobiography:
1. Make good and genuine connections with people who matter and that will help you in many stages of your life
2. Hard work will always pay sooner or later
3. Speak out. Work on your reticence because in the end in the corporate world, you are successful only when you speak out (this was suggested by Jack Welch as well)
4. No matter what, build a strong family and always keep time aside for family hours. Business will come and go but family will stick by you through thick and thin
5. Trust your instincts and your gut as well as the instincts and guts of your partner when it comes to choosing the right people/friends
6. In the end it is corporate. Everyone is there when you are soaring heights and no one is there when you are grounded. So do not trust everyone so easily.
This man is so brilliant and has done so much for the world and society in general. Absolute respect.
1. Make good and genuine connections with people who matter and that will help you in many stages of your life
2. Hard work will always pay sooner or later
3. Speak out. Work on your reticence because in the end in the corporate world, you are successful only when you speak out (this was suggested by Jack Welch as well)
4. No matter what, build a strong family and always keep time aside for family hours. Business will come and go but family will stick by you through thick and thin
5. Trust your instincts and your gut as well as the instincts and guts of your partner when it comes to choosing the right people/friends
6. In the end it is corporate. Everyone is there when you are soaring heights and no one is there when you are grounded. So do not trust everyone so easily.
This man is so brilliant and has done so much for the world and society in general. Absolute respect.
July 31, 2020
Rajat Gupta has always been an inspirational personality..may be an idol for many IITians...This is his autobiography. May be written to overcome the regret of not testifying and giving a statement during his trial and to tell his side of story and try to redeem is lost reputation. It covers his entire life journey right from his childhood, to IIT and the Great American Dream, his philanthropic initiatives , his trial , prison journey and finally his release from Prison...but the major focus of the book is his trial, detailed narration of what actually happened and how he was framed. To believe or Not to believe him is individual call...but the book is very well written, Chapters aptly titled starting with Quotes from Rabindra Nath Tagore and Gita. Book will also give you a brief insight into Global Consultancy World as well as US Judicial system. Iam further reading Billionaire's Apprentice by Anita Raghwan to understand the Galleon Fund Insider Trading Scandel.
May 6, 2019
As a kid, I was always filled with awe and wonder when I read Rajat Gupta's success story. That a young boy could reach the pinnacles of success after being orphaned at the tender age of 19 was an ultimate inspiration for me.
And then, he was convicted of insider trading charges. It broke my heart to see a man whom the entire world held in so high regard fall so spectacularly.
I always thought that there was more of it than meets the eye.
Thus, it was no wonder that the day Rajat Gupta came to Indian School of Business to launch his book, I jostled among the students to get a signed copy. Hoping to get a glimpse into the making of this man and to understand why he ended up where he did.
This book doesn’t disappoint on either count. It charts the journey of Rajat Gupta from his humble beginnings to his rise as Mckinsey head. It also covers in detail his fall from grace - his friendship with Rajaratnam, their failed business venture, the events leading up to his being charged, his conviction and the tough conditions he had to endure in jail. Reading the portions on his trial feels no less than reading a suspense novel. It also makes one question how even the famed US justice system can fail truth at times.
Rajat Gupta's story in itself is quite intriguing and the fact that the narration of the book is excellent makes the book even more compelling.
I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to:
- Go deep into the mystery of Rajat Gupta’s conviction.
- Derive valuable lessons from Rajat Gupta’s journey of colossal successes and failures.
- Understand how a 75-year-old man could go to jail, be subjected to inhuman treatment on multiple occasions and still survive with their mental and physical health intact.
This book is as much Rajat Gupta’s personal story as it is the story of hard-work, resilience, grit and determination.
And then, he was convicted of insider trading charges. It broke my heart to see a man whom the entire world held in so high regard fall so spectacularly.
I always thought that there was more of it than meets the eye.
Thus, it was no wonder that the day Rajat Gupta came to Indian School of Business to launch his book, I jostled among the students to get a signed copy. Hoping to get a glimpse into the making of this man and to understand why he ended up where he did.
This book doesn’t disappoint on either count. It charts the journey of Rajat Gupta from his humble beginnings to his rise as Mckinsey head. It also covers in detail his fall from grace - his friendship with Rajaratnam, their failed business venture, the events leading up to his being charged, his conviction and the tough conditions he had to endure in jail. Reading the portions on his trial feels no less than reading a suspense novel. It also makes one question how even the famed US justice system can fail truth at times.
Rajat Gupta's story in itself is quite intriguing and the fact that the narration of the book is excellent makes the book even more compelling.
I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to:
- Go deep into the mystery of Rajat Gupta’s conviction.
- Derive valuable lessons from Rajat Gupta’s journey of colossal successes and failures.
- Understand how a 75-year-old man could go to jail, be subjected to inhuman treatment on multiple occasions and still survive with their mental and physical health intact.
This book is as much Rajat Gupta’s personal story as it is the story of hard-work, resilience, grit and determination.
February 2, 2020
It is definitely a good read, he had a life which every Indian child could dream.
From, the school he went to IIT Delhi,
from IIT Delhi he went to Harvard
From Harvard, he joined Mckinsey and reached the top to become first non-American to head the firm.
And then he faced these charges of insider trading.
The book covers his early life, consulting career (I particularly liked this part), his retirement and then the case. It makes a good read if anyone is interested in knowing about his life and about the way he was convicted in general. He also talked about his jail term and how he spent 2 years in jail and made peace with self. How he understood "Bhagwat Geeta" and came closer to spirituality.
From, the school he went to IIT Delhi,
from IIT Delhi he went to Harvard
From Harvard, he joined Mckinsey and reached the top to become first non-American to head the firm.
And then he faced these charges of insider trading.
The book covers his early life, consulting career (I particularly liked this part), his retirement and then the case. It makes a good read if anyone is interested in knowing about his life and about the way he was convicted in general. He also talked about his jail term and how he spent 2 years in jail and made peace with self. How he understood "Bhagwat Geeta" and came closer to spirituality.
October 12, 2020
We are a generation who first know legends from news articles and then move onto Wiki or previously published articles. One such person for me was this guy.
From what he achieved, to all he has endured having the courage to write about it is truly admirable. I understand we are no judge from one side of the story, however in any case he has served his sentence and is a freeman who should be allowed to put his past behind him.
Honestly, I just picked it because securities, stocks like topic fascinates me. The narration, the Bhagvad Gita references, and the way the anecdotes are structured make it a compelling read.
From what he achieved, to all he has endured having the courage to write about it is truly admirable. I understand we are no judge from one side of the story, however in any case he has served his sentence and is a freeman who should be allowed to put his past behind him.
Honestly, I just picked it because securities, stocks like topic fascinates me. The narration, the Bhagvad Gita references, and the way the anecdotes are structured make it a compelling read.
May 20, 2021
Brilliant book.
I remember reading Anita Raghavan’s ‘The billionaire’s apprentice’ a few years back and wondering why Rajat Gupta did what he did.
He has been such an inspiration for so many Indians. Brilliant guy, stellar career, and so much involvement with Non-profits.
But did he use his influence and passed on critical information?
Guess, we’ll never know the answer to that.
What we do know now is the man’s side of story. Which is both inspiring and helpful in terms of what not to do in corporate set up.
Loved the thoughts on being a Karma Yogi, Equanimity, and how you can’t control circumstances, but can control how you respond.
Above all, I think among the plethora of texts and stories that exists about how people did great and became best in world, it’s very important to also read about how things don’t always go your way, even when you are as brilliant and influential as Rajat Gupta.
I remember reading Anita Raghavan’s ‘The billionaire’s apprentice’ a few years back and wondering why Rajat Gupta did what he did.
He has been such an inspiration for so many Indians. Brilliant guy, stellar career, and so much involvement with Non-profits.
But did he use his influence and passed on critical information?
Guess, we’ll never know the answer to that.
What we do know now is the man’s side of story. Which is both inspiring and helpful in terms of what not to do in corporate set up.
Loved the thoughts on being a Karma Yogi, Equanimity, and how you can’t control circumstances, but can control how you respond.
Above all, I think among the plethora of texts and stories that exists about how people did great and became best in world, it’s very important to also read about how things don’t always go your way, even when you are as brilliant and influential as Rajat Gupta.
September 22, 2020
I'm left with a mix of feelings after reading this book. Without doubt, the rise of Rajat Gupta has been extraordinary. His circumstances too have been extraordinary.. and so has been his fall from grace. Was he just victim of circumstances? Having heard his side of story leaves me pretty anguished at the circumstances. It all seems very unfair. Lessons from his life (and the Bhagwad Geeta that Shri Gupta often refers to in the book) would help one stay grounded and detached.
Here are few relevant links: https://youtu.be/46uIp11zQks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YbIF...
Here are few relevant links: https://youtu.be/46uIp11zQks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YbIF...
June 28, 2022
An inspiring read. Perticularly the way Mr. Gupta managed himself in jail. It could have been make or break situation but he came out stronger, mentally and physically.
Life is full of uncertainties. But how you manage yourself through the ups and down is the real test. Mr. Gupta seems to have done remarkably well on that front.
Life is full of uncertainties. But how you manage yourself through the ups and down is the real test. Mr. Gupta seems to have done remarkably well on that front.
August 23, 2021
An interesting tale of a corporate leader's fall form grace, teaches us about the choices we make unknowingly thinking it might lead to something better. Rajat's voice of sadness and regret is captured brilliantly in this book
June 23, 2019
Rajat Gupta takes us through his life and very honestly narrates his experiences, achievements, regrets and mistakes. This book teaches you that nothing is permanent - Neither suffering nor happiness.
July 5, 2019
Life of this man is an outright expression of leadership, success and Indian ethos. A must read for all budding professionals.
January 5, 2021
Extraordinary life, extraordinary contributions, extraordinary deceit. While he tries to paint himself the victim (I don't buy it) there's no denying that his initial rise and peaks were exceptional. There's so much to learn from his life. So much to know about the highest ranks of society. A fascinating read. Definitely recommend.
Edit: Was re-reading this review and I realized I'd given no explanations for my harsh judgment on Mr. Gupta's guilt. The main reason I'm so disinclined to believe his story is because he keeps talking about how "overly trusting", "naive" and "gullible" he was. How ignorant he was of the crimes of the financial world. This is one theme he goes on and on about when he claims his innocence. He even goes so far as to say because he thought Raj was "a smart guy", he trusted him implicitly with $10m for the Voyager Fund. Now tell me, is it at all believable for the ex-CEO of McKinsey, former board member of Goldmann, former board member of P&G, founder of ISB, head of multiple other international projects to paint himself "gullible", "naive" and "ignorant"?
I can believe that Blankfein betrayed him to take away the attention from his own crimes, and that Bharara was wanting an easy catch to show he was a strong prosecutor, but that doesn't make Mr. Gupta less guilty or unaware.
What really bothered me about the book was how he just assumes people will fall for his " I'm too trusting" story. Anyone who is/was "too trusting" will never boast about it. It's just not something to be proud of, it's something you lie about to create a false image of a helpless victim.
Now parts of the books I did like - I enjoyed very much his early story and his rise to power. His values as pertaining to business and his career decisions were indeed extraordinary. Whatever his crimes, I admire his humanitarian efforts and his education projects. I admire the deep bonds he shared with his family members. People can be great men and great frauds- Rajat Gupta is a good example of one.
Edit: Was re-reading this review and I realized I'd given no explanations for my harsh judgment on Mr. Gupta's guilt. The main reason I'm so disinclined to believe his story is because he keeps talking about how "overly trusting", "naive" and "gullible" he was. How ignorant he was of the crimes of the financial world. This is one theme he goes on and on about when he claims his innocence. He even goes so far as to say because he thought Raj was "a smart guy", he trusted him implicitly with $10m for the Voyager Fund. Now tell me, is it at all believable for the ex-CEO of McKinsey, former board member of Goldmann, former board member of P&G, founder of ISB, head of multiple other international projects to paint himself "gullible", "naive" and "ignorant"?
I can believe that Blankfein betrayed him to take away the attention from his own crimes, and that Bharara was wanting an easy catch to show he was a strong prosecutor, but that doesn't make Mr. Gupta less guilty or unaware.
What really bothered me about the book was how he just assumes people will fall for his " I'm too trusting" story. Anyone who is/was "too trusting" will never boast about it. It's just not something to be proud of, it's something you lie about to create a false image of a helpless victim.
Now parts of the books I did like - I enjoyed very much his early story and his rise to power. His values as pertaining to business and his career decisions were indeed extraordinary. Whatever his crimes, I admire his humanitarian efforts and his education projects. I admire the deep bonds he shared with his family members. People can be great men and great frauds- Rajat Gupta is a good example of one.
November 27, 2022
I bought this book soon after the launch and stayed on my bookshelf for a while when I picked it up a few days back. Before reading it, I thought it must be a desperate attempt to undo the damage of his actions… however after reading it, I got a much better appreciation of how the system failed this illustrious leader. Maybe it was destiny as he himself says, to slow him down for him to be able to spend more time with his loved ones. The world however lost a leader who could have made so much more impact for betterment of mankind.
Also sad to see so many of Indian diaspora characters who were so successful in their lives involved in such despicable crimes for money which was just a number for them given the amount of money they had. Unfortunately Rajat paid a huge price for just the association with such crooks. So proud of his own positive impact that he describes to eloquently in the book.
Must read!
Also sad to see so many of Indian diaspora characters who were so successful in their lives involved in such despicable crimes for money which was just a number for them given the amount of money they had. Unfortunately Rajat paid a huge price for just the association with such crooks. So proud of his own positive impact that he describes to eloquently in the book.
Must read!
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