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Method in the Madness: Insights from My Career as an Insider Outsider Insider
Parameswaran Iyer, former Secretary to the Government of India, is best known for leading the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship programme, which became the world's largest sanitation revolution.
But Iyer is not your typical bureaucrat. With a far-from-usual career combining two distinguished tenures in the government and an eventful stint outside it, he likes to describe himself as an uncommon 'Insider-Outsider-Insider'.
In Method in the Madness, he reflects on the unique path he chose - from cracking the IAS to becoming a globe-trotting World Bank technocrat, to playing the role of a coach to his professional tennis-playing children, to finally returning to India and implementing the SBM.
Written with humour and wisdom, this is an inspiring read full of key management insights, practical career advice, and valuable life lessons that will resonate with readers across age groups and professions.
But Iyer is not your typical bureaucrat. With a far-from-usual career combining two distinguished tenures in the government and an eventful stint outside it, he likes to describe himself as an uncommon 'Insider-Outsider-Insider'.
In Method in the Madness, he reflects on the unique path he chose - from cracking the IAS to becoming a globe-trotting World Bank technocrat, to playing the role of a coach to his professional tennis-playing children, to finally returning to India and implementing the SBM.
Written with humour and wisdom, this is an inspiring read full of key management insights, practical career advice, and valuable life lessons that will resonate with readers across age groups and professions.
- GenresIndiaNonfictionMemoir
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2021
21 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 5, 2023
Behaviour drives people, but people can also drive behaviour, MAKING TOILETS SEXY (this book explains the same both literally and figuratively)
March 27, 2021
Method in the Madness: Insights from My Career as an Insider-Outsider-Insider
P. Iyer, the man at the helm of affairs of making India learn WHO’s ‘WASH’, pens down his experiences, peppered with his “pro-tips”, of being an insider as well as an outsider to the Indian bureaucratic system. The circuitous paths traversed by Mr Iyer in both his personal and professional life justifies the title of this book, ‘Method in the Madness’.
Starting from the unconventional means of selecting civil services as a career option to moving on with the World Bank, there has been enough of mental meandering and experimentation in Mr Iyer’s life. Most of the decisions of his life look outlandish. Nonetheless, in hindsight, all of them made enough sense - for Mr Iyer as well as the nation.
On a personal level, Mr Iyer sets an example of being a supportive father and an understanding husband. He favoured growth of his wife’s career charts and underlines in the book as well about the dedication her wife has had for the family. He supported both his children in their sports pursuits as well as studies from the best universities in the most demanding disciplines.
On a professional level, Mr Iyer undertook the responsibility of being a magistrate and, then, a secretary i.e., an integral part of Indian bureaucracy. Thereafter, Mr Iyer led water and sanitation projects under the aegis of the World Bank in many nations and briefs many success stories from those days in the book. The book also manifests how Mr Iyer rebound in his second stint at the World Bank. And, then, conceptualised Swaccha Bharata Abhiyan and Mr Iyer was “the right person at the right time and at the right place”. His efforts that led the drive to become an astounding success can be inspirational stories for many aspiring civil servants.
It will not be wrong to say that his not-so-conventional choices made him singular in multitudes of aspects. The entire biography of Mr. Iyer reminded me of David Epstein’s Range - a perfect example, indeed.
P. Iyer, the man at the helm of affairs of making India learn WHO’s ‘WASH’, pens down his experiences, peppered with his “pro-tips”, of being an insider as well as an outsider to the Indian bureaucratic system. The circuitous paths traversed by Mr Iyer in both his personal and professional life justifies the title of this book, ‘Method in the Madness’.
Starting from the unconventional means of selecting civil services as a career option to moving on with the World Bank, there has been enough of mental meandering and experimentation in Mr Iyer’s life. Most of the decisions of his life look outlandish. Nonetheless, in hindsight, all of them made enough sense - for Mr Iyer as well as the nation.
On a personal level, Mr Iyer sets an example of being a supportive father and an understanding husband. He favoured growth of his wife’s career charts and underlines in the book as well about the dedication her wife has had for the family. He supported both his children in their sports pursuits as well as studies from the best universities in the most demanding disciplines.
On a professional level, Mr Iyer undertook the responsibility of being a magistrate and, then, a secretary i.e., an integral part of Indian bureaucracy. Thereafter, Mr Iyer led water and sanitation projects under the aegis of the World Bank in many nations and briefs many success stories from those days in the book. The book also manifests how Mr Iyer rebound in his second stint at the World Bank. And, then, conceptualised Swaccha Bharata Abhiyan and Mr Iyer was “the right person at the right time and at the right place”. His efforts that led the drive to become an astounding success can be inspirational stories for many aspiring civil servants.
It will not be wrong to say that his not-so-conventional choices made him singular in multitudes of aspects. The entire biography of Mr. Iyer reminded me of David Epstein’s Range - a perfect example, indeed.
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May 4, 2022Nice short read...interesting anecdotes
August 31, 2022
Readable book with interesting insights into working in the Indian government. He gives a good overall perspective and highlights the lessons he has learned over the years in the form of neat little “pro-tips” including nuances of implementing a national level program (Swachchh Bharat Mission). The tone of the book makes it readable as he is not trying to demonstrate how great or honest he is. He appears to speak the truth even when it is inconvenient. I am impressed by the amount of attention he has given to his family (even quitting his job to support his daughter). And I am extremely impressed by his guts to quit the IAS to join the World Bank and let the desire for the creature comforts associated with the Indian civil services, stop him from pursuing what he found more fulfilling. I would recommend this book to all young civil servants.
February 4, 2023
This was a pure joy to read. Reading about people in high authorities in India always amuses me.
This book is not autobiography of Parameswaran Iyer as he starts this book directly from 1979, 20 years after his birth, where he starts preparing for UPSC and clears IAS exam and keeps it limited to his job roles in Indian Government and US.
Reading about such people’s journey gives you an insight into the working of your country’s administration and I swear I was enthralled reading all the rigmaroles the administration go through to make certain scheme a reality. Mr. Iyer played a main role in Swacchta Bharat Abhiyan and a major part of this book was dedicated upon SBM scheme only. It was highly intriguing to read about Indian states’ journey of becoming ODF states. Highly knowledgeable, extremely interesting, and a beautiful book to read.
This book is not autobiography of Parameswaran Iyer as he starts this book directly from 1979, 20 years after his birth, where he starts preparing for UPSC and clears IAS exam and keeps it limited to his job roles in Indian Government and US.
Reading about such people’s journey gives you an insight into the working of your country’s administration and I swear I was enthralled reading all the rigmaroles the administration go through to make certain scheme a reality. Mr. Iyer played a main role in Swacchta Bharat Abhiyan and a major part of this book was dedicated upon SBM scheme only. It was highly intriguing to read about Indian states’ journey of becoming ODF states. Highly knowledgeable, extremely interesting, and a beautiful book to read.
June 5, 2021
Just good enough, easy read. One sided thoughts. Showing off that he met modi ji and working closely with him, made his dad meet modiji. I felt bad that he took an appointment with modi to make him meet his daughter, gross misuse of power and his closeness. PM's time is valuable and shouldn't be spent in such meetings.
I would have liked if Mr Param would have highlighted his shortcomings too. It would have been a fair analysis of his journey. In most instances he is shown as good/ideal human, not taking bribes only 'phal and phool', how he was appreciated by CM Mayawati etc.
Still a good read, many management lessons and lot can be learned from his life long learnings.
I would have liked if Mr Param would have highlighted his shortcomings too. It would have been a fair analysis of his journey. In most instances he is shown as good/ideal human, not taking bribes only 'phal and phool', how he was appreciated by CM Mayawati etc.
Still a good read, many management lessons and lot can be learned from his life long learnings.
September 22, 2021
Parameswaran Iyer is an unique official who has worked with the Government - both as an insider and an outsider. His diverse experiences (maintaining law and order after the demolition of Babri Masjid, working as PS to an Union Minister, closing down illegal quarries in Dehradun hills, marketing World Bank loans to developing countries, building toilets across the country) naturally make for page-turning material. But the second half of the book peters out with the insider-outsider bureaucrat transforming himself into a fawning fanboy who gets goosebumps when he meets the Prime Minister.
March 29, 2022
Author has a very distinguished life of being insider-outsider-insider in Government of India. He has narrated his In-service experiences and knowledge gain at world bank. His domain expertise in water and sanitation sector helped to implement Swatchh Bharat Scheme effectively.
Pro-tips mentioned are nothing but his wisdom out of practice knowledge at the field. He also succeeded to have work-life balance. His ‘can do spirit’, humility, negotiation skills, dedication will motivate the aspiring and serving District Magistrates in India. A must read for Indian bureaucracy.
Pro-tips mentioned are nothing but his wisdom out of practice knowledge at the field. He also succeeded to have work-life balance. His ‘can do spirit’, humility, negotiation skills, dedication will motivate the aspiring and serving District Magistrates in India. A must read for Indian bureaucracy.
February 26, 2023
Vow! What a career and what a balanced life! Not many examples like Mr.Iyer who would let a commoner peak into how they lived along with such an inspiring career. That too while he is still very much at the centre stage of policy making. With his pro execution mindset, he is generous in providing simple yet very valuable lessons in "how to get the job done" especially when the targets are big hairy audacious goals like making India open defecation free in such short time frame. A must read for those who are in any capacity involved with govt or in charge of executing any large mission!
September 28, 2024
What a chest of treasure this book was! I completed this book on audible too, and man, was I glued to it till the end!
What an illustrious career. What a man.
It’s said that if a book can give even one lesson to take home, then it’s a good book. This book had a fantastic lesson at every turn of the page.
I hope we have officers as brilliant and sincere as him, as a norm, not an aberration.
If I had to put the teachings of this book in one sentence id say - “do what you are supposed to do the best way you can, and then do some more”
What an illustrious career. What a man.
It’s said that if a book can give even one lesson to take home, then it’s a good book. This book had a fantastic lesson at every turn of the page.
I hope we have officers as brilliant and sincere as him, as a norm, not an aberration.
If I had to put the teachings of this book in one sentence id say - “do what you are supposed to do the best way you can, and then do some more”
November 5, 2021
Reading this book, I did ask myself of why are people fixated upon their dream job when their passion and knowledge can drive them so far in life. Mr. Iyer has beautifully described his rollercoaster ride which always had some adrenaline induced kicks. A policy maker with immense interest in sports, he describes his journey inside and outside government of India with a very neutral and balanced approach. The occasional 'gyan' (his experience) in middle of chapters was my favourite.
April 25, 2021
Great insight in how Swachh Bharat mission was set up and led; and in general how Indian campaign mode works. Nice combination of personal circumstances and career choices (& coincidence); importance of competition (in Indian context); and of passion and specialisation in a certain topic; in his case of getting the basics right: water and sanitation for all. And that' s a lot of people in India!
September 12, 2022
Found this book very randomly on Amazon and the title of the book fascinated me to read it. Completed this in 2 days and awestruck over the work of Iyer Sir put in for the nation.
We need more such Bureaucrats.
After hearing such working methodology and internal details in the implementation during DM and SBM is great.
We need more such Bureaucrats.
After hearing such working methodology and internal details in the implementation during DM and SBM is great.
February 14, 2021
Must read
Decent book...as an IAS aspirant ,it is motivational book for me...Lots of to learn from his experience as an insider outsider and again insider..hats off to his patience and all the best sir for wb adventure
Decent book...as an IAS aspirant ,it is motivational book for me...Lots of to learn from his experience as an insider outsider and again insider..hats off to his patience and all the best sir for wb adventure
January 17, 2022
Really nice book
I had read half book at my sister 's house, for rest I could not help but purchase the book. The book is written by an ias and what he contributed. Esp what this generation can feel. A must read for all
I had read half book at my sister 's house, for rest I could not help but purchase the book. The book is written by an ias and what he contributed. Esp what this generation can feel. A must read for all
September 18, 2022
A very good read.. Mr Iyer’s journey is awe inspiring .. as on date, he has some one more stint of outsider and insider once again as the new CEO of Niti Ayog. I am sure we can see a new direction and new initiatives with him at the helm of affairs with planning.
March 24, 2021
Great insight into the government and the life of a civil servant. The experience detailed by the author are entertaining as well as Gyan (Wisdom) for a better private and professional life
May 27, 2021
Excellent read, lot of inspiration to draw
June 14, 2021
Very interesting journey of a beaurocrat who in his own words, was, "insider-outsider-insider".
Written with great humility and humour!
Written with great humility and humour!
August 11, 2022
Very interesting read
Was a very interesting journey with the author. Loved learning about how difficult getting districts/villages to be ODF was and also about his IAS days.
Was a very interesting journey with the author. Loved learning about how difficult getting districts/villages to be ODF was and also about his IAS days.
April 7, 2023
It's his journey and mostly swachh bharat mission and his work at World Bank and exploration he got
February 5, 2024
A breezy and happy account of his work and times by a competent public sector professional.
November 7, 2024
An account of a very entitled 5-star life
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews