“When I don’t make a decision, it’s not that I don’t think about it. I think about it and make a decision not to make a decision“

Frankly, before reading this book I didn’t know much about our tenth prime minister of India, Narasimha Rao, which a bit shame being 90s kid. But on my defence, later verified in this book as well, we were not actually told about his story, his achievements and role he played in bringing India to place on world platform, we enjoy watching today and take it for granted.

I will not be making opinions on political figures discussed in this book or reasons behind outcasting him immediately upon stepping down from the chair, since those views vary based on individual’s political affiliations.

Instead, what I will be telling here are two highlights from this book, which actually impressed me and are worth sharing.

“Take no credits or Just being smart”

While even writer Vinay Sitapati also mentioned in book, reason behind Rao’s not taking credits for revolutionary economic reforms was not merely because he wanted to leave others take limelight, but it was more because he was heading minority government and last thing he needed was noise around reforms hampering both reforms and his position.

Yet, in Rao’s part, it takes huge mental strength to grasp situation in hand and let his finance minister take full credit of reforms taken in 1991. Being a Leader, he had to decide, play reckless and impact reforms or hold his own seat tight, thereby ensuring his vision stays intact and course of action of India’s recovery stays as planned.

“When in doubt, pout!”

I sincerely felt this trait of Rao is biggest lesson I learnt after reading this book. How many times, we just speak even in corner of our mind we know something is not right with facts we speaking. Now mind you, this here is very thin line. Certainly, always doubting yourself and making pouts won’t make you do any good as well. However, what I really learnt is, understand situation, keep your facts straight inside your mind and than you still feel other person in room actually speaking correct information, better listen. If you are confident with yourself, no point to doubt.

I guess, thats why book titled Rao as Half lion, as like writer wrote, He knew exactly when to be a Lion and when to be a Fox.

My take, please read this book if you really want to know how India transformed from license raj to digital economy.

Disclaimer: I am just a reader next door and opinion above are just my views and learning from this book.