Two Birds in a Tree - Ram Nidumolu

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Résumé :
There are two birds, two sweet friends, who dwell in the self-same tree, says the ancient Indian scripture the Upanishads. The first bird, dwelling on the lower part of the tree, lives in sorrow and anxiety. Unable to see beyond the branches it hops around compulsively indulging its appetites, eating every fruit, sweet and sour. The other bird, higher up, can see the whole tree and the wider world-this perspective puts it in touch with its innate sense of being, the quality of existence that it shares in common with all other living beings and the natural world. Content, it looks on in compassionate silence at the other bird.

Ram Nidumolu's provocative book on business leadership uses this allegory from Indian scripture to highlight why many businesses are distrusted by the public and contribute to social ills like environmental destruction, wealth inequality and climate change: they mimic the bird on the lower branch. But can business, compassion, and stewardship really coexist? Ram's surprising insight is to hearken back to the earliest Indian philosophical texts to reclaim their lessons for acting in accordance with our connection to Being. He outlines a four-part framework for what he calls being-centered leadership and offers examples of this kind of leadership in action, from companies such as Harley Davidson, Timberland, Puma, Pepsi and many others. It is time, he writes, to look up from our rickety perch on the lower branch of a storm-tossed tree and begin the journey to the higher branch....

Biographie:
Ram Nidumolu is the founder and CEO of InnovaStrat, which provides strategic consulting services to global corporations. He is also a scholar at Stanford University&rsquo...

Sommaire:
There are two birds, two sweet friends, who dwell in the self-same tree, says the ancient Indian scripture the Upanishads. The first bird, dwelling on the lower part of the tree, lives in sorrow and anxiety. Unable to see beyond the branches it hops around compulsively indulging its appetites, eating every fruit, sweet and sour. The other bird, higher up, can see the whole tree and the wider world-this perspective puts it in touch with its innate sense of being, the quality of existence that it shares in common with all other living beings and the natural world. Content, it looks on in compassionate silence at the other bird.

Ram Nidumolu's provocative book on business leadership uses this allegory from Indian scripture to highlight why many businesses are distrusted by the public and contribute to social ills like environmental destruction, wealth inequality and climate change: they mimic the bird on the lower branch. But can business, compassion, and stewardship really coexist? Ram's surprising insight is to hearken back to the earliest Indian philosophical texts to reclaim their lessons for acting in accordance with our connection to Being. He outlines a four-part framework for what he calls being-centered leadership and offers examples of this kind of leadership in action, from companies such as Harley Davidson, Timberland, Puma, Pepsi and many others. It is time, he writes, to look up from our rickety perch on the lower branch of a storm-tossed tree and begin the journey to the higher branch....

This book provides a timely--and eloquent--reminder that business does not operate in a moral vacuum and that tomorrow's business leaders will need to be driven by a deeper sense of purpose. After reading it, no one can doubt that business can--and should--become a giver and not a taker in a system that gives it life in the first place.--Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever Two Birds in a Tree beautifully describes principles that enable leaders to give back to humanity and nature while running successful companies. It is a book filled with wonderful images and stories, both ancient and modern, that are worth savoring.--Casey Sheahan, CEO, Patagonia Two Birds in a Tree helps open up our minds to the importance of leadership that is anchored in our interconnection. As leaders, we need to listen more deeply to each other, find purpose in our work, and commit to making a positive change in the world.--Eileen Fisher, founder and CEO, Eileen Fisher, Inc. If we are to make a transition to a humane world where business restores equality, ecology, and equanimity, it will be based on the principles revealed in our ancient collective wisdom as so beautifully portrayed herein.--Paul Hawken, author of The Ecology of Commerce and Blessed Unrest Through an illuminating journey into ancient Indian wisdom, Two Birds describes a new type of leadership that can help us manage our businesses successfully and sustainably, rather than at the expense of the planet and people. It beautifully shows that the true sustainability of humanity is actually a matter of the heart and mind, compelling us to act consciously for the future rather than continuing to ignore today's realities.--Jochen Zeitz, Director, Kering; former Chairman and CEO, Puma; and cofounder of The B Team Two Birds provides unique insight about the balance needed between our roles in meeting the financial goals of our business and in improving society. The reader can qu