Anupam Pattanayak, fondly known to colleagues and mentees as AP, is not just a leader in the corporate world he is a visionary who has spent nearly three decades navigating the complexities of global business while staying rooted in timeless values. His latest work, The Dharma Code: Ancient Ethics, Modern Boardrooms, reflects both his professional expertise and his deep-seated passion for Indian philosophy, bringing a rare fusion of tradition and modernity to the conversation on leadership.
In an era where leadership is often measured by market dominance, profit margins, and quarterly results, Anupam offers a refreshing perspective one that redefines leadership as a duty, not merely a position of power. This philosophy forms the core of The Dharma Code, where he takes the timeless wisdom of the Mahabharata and places it squarely in the context of today’s corporate realities. For him, the boardroom is nothing less than a modern-day Kurukshetra, a battlefield of choices, strategies, and moral tests that demand clarity, courage, and ethical judgment.
Anupam’s career journey has been a masterclass in adaptability and strategic foresight. With extensive experience in corporate leadership, entrepreneurial ventures, and international business consulting, he has successfully guided organizations through periods of transformation, growth, and innovation. His unique blend of technical acumen and human-centered leadership has made him a trusted advisor to startups, established enterprises, and business leaders across industries. Yet, despite his impressive credentials, Anupam is quick to emphasize that leadership is not about titles it’s about responsibility, service, and the impact one leaves behind.
It is this conviction that powers The Dharma Code. The book does more than draw superficial parallels between ancient stories and modern challenges; it distills the core principles of the Mahabharata into practical tools and frameworks that leaders can apply immediately. Through concepts like the Dharma Compass and the Ethical Decision Matrix, Anupam equips his readers with clear methods to navigate dilemmas that rarely have black-and-white answers. These are not abstract theories but actionable guides, tested and refined through decades of real-world leadership experience.
What makes the book especially compelling is Anupam’s skill in storytelling. He brings epic characters like Krishna and Yudhishthira into the boardroom, using their timeless qualities strategic diplomacy, unshakable integrity, balanced decision-making as case studies for contemporary leadership. The narrative style ensures that the lessons resonate with both seasoned executives and young professionals, while the visual tools, reflection prompts, and glossary make the concepts accessible to readers worldwide, regardless of their familiarity with Indian culture.
Anupam understands that today’s leaders operate in an environment of unprecedented complexity. Globalization, technological disruption, stakeholder activism, and ethical scrutiny have made leadership a far more nuanced endeavor than in decades past. In such a climate, decision-making is often pressured by conflicting interests shareholders demand returns, employees seek security, customers expect transparency, and society at large insists on responsible behavior. Anupam’s framework acknowledges these pressures while insisting that values must not be sacrificed for short-term gain. For him, the true measure of a leader is the ability to align profit with purpose, to steer the organization toward success without losing sight of the greater good.
The resonance of The Dharma Code lies in its universality. While it draws heavily from Indian philosophy, its principles are not confined to a particular geography or culture. The ethical questions faced by a CEO in Mumbai are not all that different from those confronting a startup founder in Silicon Valley or a non-profit director in Nairobi. Anupam’s approach ensures that the book speaks to leaders across borders, offering guidance that is as relevant in a tech firm as it is in a family-owned enterprise or a public institution.
Anupam’s own leadership style reflects the ideals he advocates. Known for his ability to blend strategic vision with empathy, he fosters an environment where innovation and accountability go hand in hand. His work with startups and entrepreneurs demonstrates his belief in empowering others to realize their potential while holding fast to ethical practices. His consulting engagements often go beyond business advice, touching on the cultural and human dimensions that ultimately determine an organization’s success.
With The Dharma Code, Anupam is not merely sharing a set of tools he is inviting a shift in mindset. He challenges leaders to see themselves as custodians of dharma in their professional spheres, responsible for the wellbeing of not only their companies but also the larger ecosystem they influence. In doing so, he bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and the demands of 21st-century leadership, proving that the two are not only compatible but mutually reinforcing.
The release of the book comes at a time when trust in leadership, both corporate and political, is under strain. Scandals, crises, and short-sighted decision-making have eroded public confidence in institutions. Against this backdrop, Anupam’s voice is both timely and necessary. He reminds us that leadership is not a race for dominance but a calling to serve one that demands introspection, integrity, and the courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
The Dharma Code is not a book to be read once and shelved; it is a manual to be consulted whenever the path forward seems unclear. It speaks equally to the experienced CEO facing a high-stakes negotiation and to the young professional preparing to step into their first leadership role. It offers not just strategies, but a way of thinking a compass to navigate the moral and strategic challenges of the business world.
For Anupam Pattanayak, leadership is a lifelong journey of learning, adapting, and staying anchored to one’s core values. Through his work, both in the corporate sphere and in this book, he continues to mentor, inspire, and guide those who are willing to see leadership not as domination, but as duty. In a world where the pace of change often threatens to outstrip our moral bearings, his message is a reminder that the oldest wisdom can still light the way forward.
