Preview
  • Two Birds in a Tree

  • Timeless Indian Wisdom for Business Leaders
  • By: Ram Nidumolu
  • Narrated by: Jim Manchester
  • Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (6 ratings)

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Two Birds in a Tree

By: Ram Nidumolu
Narrated by: Jim Manchester
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Publisher's summary

Looking back to the ancient knowledge of the Indian scripture, the Upanishads, Ram Nidumolu finds the core philosophy of sustainable leadership that's needed today. In this remarkable book, he uses a powerful parable from these scriptures to create a business vision that our world desperately needs.

"There are two birds, two sweet friends, who dwell in theselfsame tree," says the Upanishads. The first bird, dwelling on the lower part of the tree, lives "in sorrow and anxiety." Unable to see beyond the branches, it hops around compulsively indulging its appetites, eating every fruit, sweet and sour.

The other bird, higher up, can see the whole tree and the wider world - this perspective puts it in touch with its innate sense of being, the quality of existence that it shares in common with all other living beings and the natural world. Content, it "looks on in compassionate silence" at the other bird.

Ram Nidumolu's provocative book on business leadership uses this allegory from Indian scripture to highlight why many businesses are distrusted by the public and contribute to social ills like environmental destruction, wealth inequality, and climate change: they mimic the bird on the lower branch. But can business, compassion, and stewardship really coexist? Ram's surprising insight is to hearken back to the earliest Indian philosophical texts to reclaim their lessons for acting in accordance with our connection to Being.

He outlines a four-part framework for what he calls "being-centered leadership" and offers examples of this kind of leadership in action, from companies such as Harley Davidson, Timberland, Puma, Pepsi, and many others. It is time, he writes, to "look up from our rickety perch on the lower branch of a storm-tossed tree and begin the journey to the higher branch."

©2013 Ram Nidumolu (P)2013 Blackstone Audio
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What listeners say about Two Birds in a Tree

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Very long while can be shortened

Very long book
Can be written in less than 1/4 the given size
Also lots of unknown Indian philosophy to the general reader needs more explanation

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Not everybody's higher plane.

It was hard to get into the flow of this book. Whether I'm just not spiritual enough, or the book seriously lacks real-world application, I dare not comment. I prefer my life guides and development with a bit less incense.

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