Happy Executive - A Systems Approach

Kuttan, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, offers a book that’s half memoir, half self-help guide for business executives.

The author’s goal with this debut work is to systematically teach readers—and particularly Indian executives—how to be happy. The author starts by outlining his “happiness system,” which is broken down into lessons on how to nurture one’s mind, body and soul. He also illustrates the “Seven Ps” for achieving happiness: purpose, pathway, passion, perseverance, positivity, patience and principles. But about halfway through the book, after a short “Happiness Quiz,” Kuttan switches gears and presents a memoir of his upbringing and varied business career. This is where the book really shines; the author summarizes his life elegantly and succinctly, showing how he came up with his systems approach to happiness by living a full, fascinating life. This section includes several pages of annotated photographs taken throughout his life that show him attending the University of Wisconsin and traveling in Europe and elsewhere. In the final, briefest part of the book, Kuttan launches a call to action, urging executives to use his systems approach: “It is predicted that by 2040, one out of every three workers in the world could be Indian,” he notes, and because of that, “the 21st century can truly be an Indian Century, if Indian leaders and people live up to their potential.” The author has lofty hopes for his home country and offers a specific plan for getting India on track—establishing teacher training programs modeled on the most successful American ones, exploiting emerging technologies and “soft skills” (such as communication and marketing), and refocusing on providing health care and improving the environment: all noble goals and all well thought out.

A methodical, well-organized guide for the world’s future leaders.