Leadership and Management Made Simple by Puvanesvarar Mailvaganam – Book Review & Key Insights

Are you tired of leadership books that are all jargon and no joy? Leadership and Management Made Simple by Puvanesvarar Mailvaganam is here to change that. It’s refreshingly honest, effortlessly funny, and packed with real-life leadership insights that actually work—especially in today’s chaotic, fast-moving workplace.

In this detailed review, we break down what makes the book a must-read for aspiring and experienced leaders, what you’ll gain from it, and why it deserves to be ranked among the best leadership books of 2025.


Book Overview & Details

  • Title: Leadership & Management Made Simple: A Seriously Useful Leadership Book That Doesn’t Take Itself Too Seriously
  • Author: Puvanesvarar Mailvaganam, FCMI
  • Publisher: Independently Published
  • Publication Date: 28 April 2025
  • Language: English
  • Format: Paperback / Kindle eBook
  • Pages: 128
  • ASIN: B0F741M49D
  • ISBN-13: 979-8281357913
  • Item Weight: 181 g
  • Dimensions: 15.24 x 0.74 x 22.86 cm
  • Buy Link: Available on Amazon India

What Is the Book About?

Leadership & Management Made Simple offers a bold, human-first perspective on what it truly means to lead in the modern world. Forget corporate jargon, complex models, or rigid hierarchies—this book strips it all down to clarity, humility, and humor.

Whether you’re a newly promoted manager or a C-suite veteran tired of fluffy leadership theories, Mailvaganam offers practical wisdom through a lens of empathy, experience, and straight talk.


Key Lessons & Insights

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

Leadership is about people, not power
Honest communication beats performance reviews
Humor can humanize even the toughest boardroom
Failure is a leadership asset not a liability
Culture trumps policy every time

Each chapter gives you actionable takeaways without the academic tone or consultant-speak, making it ideal for professionals juggling multiple roles.


Why This Book Stands Out

It speaks human, not corporate.

Most management books try too hard to impress. This one speaks like a mentor who’s been there, made the mistakes, and learned from them.

It’s funny (seriously).

Leadership isn’t always fun, but reading about it can be. Mailvaganam brings levity to tough topics without undermining their importance.

It’s actually useful.

Every insight is drawn from real-world experience, making the book feel immediately relevant to your day-to-day work challenges.


Strengths

Practical, no-fluff writing style
Grounded in real-world management scenarios
Perfect length easy to finish but full of value
Encourages emotional intelligence and team building
Useful for leaders at every level, from team leads to CEOs


Things to Consider

Readers looking for data-heavy analysis or complex leadership theories may find it too informal
Lighter tone may not appeal to those expecting a strictly academic or corporate approach


Who Should Read This Book?

  • First-time managers navigating leadership anxiety
  • Startup founders juggling team dynamics and growth
  • HR leaders focused on authentic culture building
  • Mid-level managers tired of robotic leadership guides
  • Readers of Radical Candor, Dare to Lead, and The Making of a Manager

About the Author: Puvanesvarar Mailvaganam

Puvanesvarar Mailvaganam—also known as Puvan—is an internationally respected expert in corporate governance, compliance, and ethical systems design. With over 22 years of leadership experience across Qatar, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, Puvan’s career has spanned government advisory, board-level ethics, labor reform, and institutional integrity.

A UK law graduate and MBA holder from Anglia Ruskin University, he has consulted for multinational corporations, regulatory bodies, and public institutions, helping them navigate complex legal landscapes while centering fairness and dignity.

Beyond consulting, Puvan is a passionate advocate for ethical procurement, fair recruitment, and human-centered governance. He believes in making ethics actionable—and that leadership, when done right, can rebuild trust and transparency at scale.

He is the author of several other impactful books including:

  • The Ethics of Recruitment
  • Truth in Tendering
  • Faith in Governance

Puvan is also the founder of Puvanesvarar Consulting, where he helps leaders and organizations embed soul into strategy.

Reader Reactions

“Finally, a leadership book that respects your intelligence and your time.”

“Funny, practical, and deeply relatable—this is my new onboarding gift to every team lead.”

“Mailvaganam redefines leadership through the lens of empathy and action.”


Final Verdict – 4.7/5

Leadership & Management Made Simple is one of the most refreshing and genuinely helpful leadership books available today. If you’re looking to lead better, build stronger teams, and stay sane while doing it, this book is your go-to playbook.

Puvanesvarar Mailvaganam doesn’t just talk about leadership—he teaches you how to live it, laugh through it, and get better at it without losing your soul.


Where to Buy

Grab your copy of Leadership & Management Made Simple on Amazon India

Read More : 7 Must-Read Biographies of Visionary Entrepreneurs to Inspire Innovation and Leadership

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