Shiv Shivakumar’s The CEO Mindset Unlocks the Leadership Code for a New Era

What does it truly take to sit in the corner office and lead with vision? In his latest book, The CEO Mindset: Developing Leadership Habits and Mental Models for Success, celebrated corporate leader and management thinker Shiv Shivakumar goes beyond boardroom clichés to reveal the mindset, habits, and decision-making frameworks that define successful CEOs.

For many professionals, the CEO’s chair is the ultimate aspiration. But as Shivakumar—affectionately known as “Shiv”—points out, ambition alone isn’t enough. True leadership is built on a winning attitude, disciplined priorities, strategic time management, deep reflection, strong relationships, and an awareness of how the very definition of leadership is evolving.

Drawing on his illustrious two-decade tenure as one of India Inc.’s longest-serving CEOs, Shiv shares personal lessons from his journey, combined with insights from thirteen distinguished leaders across industries such as executive search, business, journalism, entrepreneurship, FMCG, and education. These perspectives dismantle the myth of the solitary leader, emphasising the value of collaboration, trust, and understanding employee expectations.

From mastering the art of asking the right questions to balancing short-term crises with long-term strategy, The CEO Mindset is both a playbook and a personal guide for leadership in today’s complex business environment.

About the Author

Shiv Shivakumar has held senior leadership positions in some of India’s and the world’s most respected companies. He is currently Operating Partner at Advent International, a leading \$100 billion private equity firm headquartered in Boston. Shiv spent nineteen years at Hindustan Unilever in sales, marketing, and general management before taking over as CEO of Philips India’s consumer electronics division—marking the beginning of a two-decade run as CEO at Nokia, PepsiCo, and the Aditya Birla Group.

Beyond the corner office, Shiv is a sought-after management thinker, board chairman, independent director, corporate speaker, and business school teacher. He has authored two bestselling books—The Right Choice and The Art of Management—and serves on the boards and advisory boards of Power Grid India, SHRM, The Economist, Vadilal Industries, iD Fresh, Yes Bank, and Penguin Random House India. His academic engagements include advisory roles with premier business schools such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta, IIM Udaipur, XLRI, Xavier University, SPJIMR, and Great Lakes Institute of Management.

A firm believer in giving back, Shiv has delivered over forty convocation and commencement speeches at leading institutions. He holds degrees from IIT Madras, IIM Calcutta, and the Wharton School of Business.

With The CEO Mindset, Shiv offers more than just advice—he offers a mindset reset, guiding readers toward meaningful leadership and a career that is as rewarding as it is impactful.