iNM Volume 8 | Page 39

INM MAGAZINE VOLUME 8 | FEBRUARY 2016 #Book Review Sam Manekshaw was posted in Jammu in 1957 and the place was then comparatively remote and did not have facilities for the families of the soldiers to be accommodated. The soldiers would be at the battle line, under constant threat, affected by severe cold and away from their families. Sam would make it a point to reach out to his men at the border with cakes he used to bake, used to get those gifts and attended to everybody's problem personally. Also he would join them for meals and paid special attention to those wounded. His genuine concern and his efforts again reinforced the soldiers' faith in him and kept them going in tough times. Learning and conclusion 'Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw: The Man and His Times' has been an inspiring book for the present generation. Sam's mental strength and discipline are so articulately brought out through specific episodes in his life, by the author who worked closely with the Field Marshall. This well- written biography pays tribute to a man dedicated to the task of soldiering with dignity to the nth degree. He has had a huge impact on people who he came in contact with, touching their lives in various manners. He has been a motivation to many and taught that leadership skills do not have to follow the old conventional ways but has to be a manifestation of who you are and what you want to achieve. His style of leadership can find various applications in organizations. The real genius of Sam lay in his choice of field commanders. That is a skill that every manager must build to spell the difference between success and failure. Every leader should have the ability to spot and deploy talent considering their skill set and usability in the firm. The ability to plan to the nth degree and simultaneously invest consummate faith in your people is very important for a leader. Sam practiced this expertly throughout his career, especially 1971 war. Corporate leaders need to carryout detailed and meticulous planning and back their team fully. Sam excelled in getting ideas from the rank and file. He would never pull rank on his subordinates trying to tell him something that was very different from his own ideas. It was an enlightening experience for us as we travelled back in time and read about the legendary officer. We were spellbound by the sheer mental strength that the man displayed in crucial times. Starting our MBA journey in the HR field, we are lucky to have chosen his biography for this project. At the core Army is an organization and like any other organization it requires a leader to be at the helm of things. We hope we are able to imbibe leaders