Courage Under Fire By Suresh Narayanan

From the unprecedented MAGGI crisis that gripped India in 2015 to the Arab Spring in Egypt, the global financial crisis in Singapore and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Suresh Narayanan has spent over four decades leading through some of the most turbulent moments in modern business. In Courage Under Fire, he distils these experiences into an insightful and practical guide to leading when the stakes are highest.

Rather than offering abstract management theories or corporate jargon, Narayanan draws on real-life episodes from across continents to demonstrate how leaders can navigate uncertainty with clarity, empathy and conviction. The book argues that leadership is not defined by authority or strategy alone, but by the ability to earn trust, communicate with transparency, remain grounded under pressure and make decisions rooted in values.

At the heart of the book is an intimate account of the MAGGI crisis, one of the most closely watched corporate crises in India’s history. As the public face of Nestlé India during one of its darkest chapters, Narayanan offers readers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on rebuilding consumer trust and restoring institutional credibility. These reflections are complemented by experiences from global crises that demonstrate how the principles of effective leadership transcend industries and geographies.

One of India’s most respected business leaders, Suresh Narayanan brings unmatched credibility to the subject. Having held leadership positions across India, Singapore, Egypt and the wider Asia-Pacific region, he is widely recognized not only for steering Nestlé India through one of the country’s biggest corporate crises but also for demonstrating that integrity, transparency and compassion are indispensable leadership qualities.

Accessible, deeply personal and rich with practical insights, Courage Under Fire is essential reading for business leaders, entrepreneurs, management students and anyone seeking to understand what true leadership looks like when circumstances are at their most challenging.

About The Author

Suresh Narayanan is one of India’s most distinguished corporate leaders, with over four decades of global leadership experience across the FMCG industry. He has led businesses across Asia, the Middle East and Africa and is best known for steering Nestlé India through the landmark MAGGI crisis of 2015. Widely respected for his people-first approach to leadership, Narayanan has been a prominent voice on business, communication and crisis management, appearing on leading platforms including CNBC-TV18, NDTV and ET Now.

The official release for the book is in July 2026