Book Review_2 : Book Name ~ Catalyst ~
Book Name Catalyst
Chandramouli Venkatesan is a corporate veteran with over twenty-six years of
experience in the industry. He has been associated with top most organizations
like Cadbury, Onida, Asian Paints and Pidilite. He is a sports lover, keen
golfer and has strong spiritual values. In his latest masterpiece, Catalyst, he
talks about different aspects that contribute to the success of an individual.
The book explains the tools that arm an individual to succeed at workplace and
get the most out of every moment, every day. I picked this book to learn how to
catalyze my growth.
As per dictionary, the
term ‘Catalyst’ is defined as, “something that accelerates a chemical reaction
without itself being impacted “. This chemical reaction occurs even when
the right substances are brought together, but the rate of reaction can be
stimulated with the presence of a catalyst. Applying this analogy at work, an
individual might have the right skill set to succeed but there are certain
aspects that act as catalyst in their path to accelerate their growth. In this
book, the author focuses on various catalysts that you can cultivate and
leverage them to propel yourself at both work and life.
The environmental
factors keep on changing and these could be factors like availability of
talents and demand for existing skills in the market. As an individual, one has
control only on the real individual growth, which includes the effectiveness in
doing whatever you are doing to enhance your existing skills.
The author explains
often we focus on what we want. We rarely focus on what we should do to get
what we want. For example, my need is to be appreciated by my seniors, but what
responsibility must I take to cater to my need is a question that I need to
answer myself. How much willingness is there from your part, to put that extra
effort, to boost your effectiveness - is the thought that the author triggers
in the mind of the reader at the beginning of the book. He refers to verses
from Bhagavad Geeta, that while performing an action, the focus should be on
deeds and not on results. I really liked the way he brought the ancient
knowledge from scriptures to explain the corporate mindset by this very
example. Real individual growth is nothing but all about focusing on the
actions, that drives the results.
One of the revelations I
came across is the relation between the number of years spent in an
organization and experience building. Generally, we presume, more the number of
years spent, the more will be the experience. However, the author defies this
perception by saying Time spent at work is not equal to Experience. If
that were true then people carrying same amount of experience should have been
equally successful. Experience and productivity can be catalyzed if an
individual has a risk-friendly attitude and he is a multi-tasker. By career
management, the author focuses on the different approaches one needs to adopt
in different phases of one’s career. The last aspect he focuses on is in
building values and inclination towards self-study. In the midst of our
ever-important rat race, it is important to take a minute to self-reflect and
prioritize self-growth.
My key takeaways from
the book:
This book leaves the
reader in high spirits with an algorithm that can help one drive one’s own
career more intelligently. It not only helps the readers to find ways to reach
their career goals but also helps them identify what drives them. A must read
book for every professional who is sincerely looking for advice and mentor-ship
on making an impact in the organization they are part of.
Happy Reading!
Book Name Catalyst
Author Chandramouli Venkatesan
No of Pages 208
Publisher India Portfolio
Year of Publication 2018
Chandramouli Venkatesan is a corporate veteran with over twenty-six years of
experience in the industry. He has been associated with top most organizations
like Cadbury, Onida, Asian Paints and Pidilite. He is a sports lover, keen
golfer and has strong spiritual values. In his latest masterpiece, Catalyst, he
talks about different aspects that contribute to the success of an individual.
The book explains the tools that arm an individual to succeed at workplace and
get the most out of every moment, every day. I picked this book to learn how to
catalyze my growth.
As per dictionary, the
term ‘Catalyst’ is defined as, “something that accelerates a chemical reaction
without itself being impacted “. This chemical reaction occurs even when
the right substances are brought together, but the rate of reaction can be
stimulated with the presence of a catalyst. Applying this analogy at work, an
individual might have the right skill set to succeed but there are certain
aspects that act as catalyst in their path to accelerate their growth. In this
book, the author focuses on various catalysts that you can cultivate and
leverage them to propel yourself at both work and life.
At the very start of the
book, we are given the formula for career growth.
Career Growth = Real
Individual Growth and Environmental Factors
The environmental
factors keep on changing and these could be factors like availability of
talents and demand for existing skills in the market. As an individual, one has
control only on the real individual growth, which includes the effectiveness in
doing whatever you are doing to enhance your existing skills.
The author explains
often we focus on what we want. We rarely focus on what we should do to get
what we want. For example, my need is to be appreciated by my seniors, but what
responsibility must I take to cater to my need is a question that I need to
answer myself. How much willingness is there from your part, to put that extra
effort, to boost your effectiveness - is the thought that the author triggers
in the mind of the reader at the beginning of the book. He refers to verses
from Bhagavad Geeta, that while performing an action, the focus should be on
deeds and not on results. I really liked the way he brought the ancient
knowledge from scriptures to explain the corporate mindset by this very
example. Real individual growth is nothing but all about focusing on the
actions, that drives the results.
The author highlights on
the following three aspects for achieving career growth
1. Experience
Building and Productivity
2. Career
Management
3. Life
and Values
One of the revelations I
came across is the relation between the number of years spent in an
organization and experience building. Generally, we presume, more the number of
years spent, the more will be the experience. However, the author defies this
perception by saying Time spent at work is not equal to Experience. If
that were true then people carrying same amount of experience should have been
equally successful. Experience and productivity can be catalyzed if an
individual has a risk-friendly attitude and he is a multi-tasker. By career
management, the author focuses on the different approaches one needs to adopt
in different phases of one’s career. The last aspect he focuses on is in
building values and inclination towards self-study. In the midst of our
ever-important rat race, it is important to take a minute to self-reflect and
prioritize self-growth.
My key takeaways from
the book:
1. Have
time bound goals
2. Work
on effectiveness of the actions
3. Self-Review
on daily basis
4. Work
on building skills and gaining knowledge
5. Every
hour you spend at workplace should be adding something to your learning – time
management
6. Have
a coach or mentor to guide you
7. Have
intelligent decisions when you switch or quit
8. Have
a passionate striving hobby
9. Find
a purpose of why you are doing what you are doing
This book leaves the
reader in high spirits with an algorithm that can help one drive one’s own
career more intelligently. It not only helps the readers to find ways to reach
their career goals but also helps them identify what drives them. A must read
book for every professional who is sincerely looking for advice and mentor-ship
on making an impact in the organization they are part of.
Happy Reading!
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