Penguin Random House is thrilled to announce the release of one of India’s most respected and insightful corporate leaders, D. Shivakumar—fondly known as Shiv. His much-anticipated new book The CEO Mindset is a powerful, reflective guide on what it truly takes to rise to the top in today’s business world.
The CEO Mindset brings together Shiv’s four-decade journey across leadership roles at companies like Hindustan Unilever, Nokia, PepsiCo, Aditya Birla Group, and now as Operating Partner at Advent International. This book offers a masterclass in leadership thinking, strategy, and human-centred growth at a time when the world is redefining what makes a successful CEO.
Drawing from Shiv’s unparalleled career and enriched by insights from thirteen cross-industry stalwarts, the book challenges conventional thinking and outlines the values and habits that differentiate exceptional leaders from the rest. The CEO Mindset is a blend of practical guidance, sharp analysis, and deeply personal storytelling that will inspire both aspiring leaders and seasoned executives to reframe how they lead, prioritize, and build trust.
In today’s hyper-dynamic, post-pandemic business landscape, The CEO Mindset could not be more relevant. As organizations adapt to generational shifts, digital disruptions, and evolving employee expectations, Shiv offers rare clarity on how leaders must evolve—not just in what they do, but in how they think.
Shiv’s voice carries weight not only because of his rich professional legacy, but because his leadership has left a lasting impact across geographies, industries, and generations. His stewardship at Nokia, where he turned the brand into India’s most trusted mobile name, or his portfolio-transforming leadership at PepsiCo India, are now taught as case studies at Harvard, ISB and top global business schools.
Shiv Shivakumar is available for interviews, panel discussions, podcasts, and thought-leadership features. He speaks candidly on topics including:
- The evolving definition of leadership in a disrupted world
- CEO readiness and the skills the next generation needs
- Strategic transformation and leading through uncertainty
- Building trusted, resilient teams in the age of remote work
- The official release for the book is in July 2025.
