Humility is interpreted differently in different cultures-as a blend of weakness, meekness and shyness, juxtaposed with kindness and compassion. When we describe Someone as a 'humble' person, we are referring to a person who is a reflection of anodyne blandness: nice, soft, simple, respectful and shy. Is it really that simple?

In an era in which hubris is not just a leitmotif but is openly rewarded in business and society, it is not surprising that when we talk about leadership, humility is the last adjective that comes to mind. Commonly, leadership is associated with charisma, aggression and often naked ambition. Is there a relation between humility and high achievement? Are leaders born with humility or is it an acquired trait? Can humble leaders inspire employees to perform better? Is humility a sign of weakness or a strength in leaders?

For over three decades, Dr PV Ramana Murthy has been a curious student of leadership. In The Power of Humility, he explores this subject in detail. A result of over five years of rigorous first-hand research and numerous interviews with business leaders, the book provides a fresh perspective on how humble high achievers are rewriting the rules of leadership. In the process, it not only addresses the importance of humility, as a cognitive and affective skill for leaders, but also builds a unique framework-a powerful manual of sorts-which current and future leaders can use to emulate in their professional careers.