(posted in rajeshsetty.com on December 21, 2010)
Deepika Bajaj has released her new eBook “Pink and Grow Rich” I have seen Deepika working on the interview series for years and it is good to see that the book is finally out. I asked her a few questions about the book. Here is the quick interview:
RS: What inspired you to write this eBook?
DB: Rajesh, there are a lot of emphases is our culture to fit in. Even as a kid, if you try to do something which is out of ordinary or let’s say EXTRAordinary, chances are you will be told “This is not how it works” OR “You can never do this” OR “Let someone else figure this out”. Also, for most of us, rich means material wealth. Our society has evolved to measure success as a function of our financial status. I am not saying making money is bad. Don’t get me wrong – being rich is helpful. Money gives you the freedom to work on what you want and with whom you want. It is really good if you don’t have to think about money.
But what I found is that the RICH means different things to different people. Most successful people did not start with the motive to get rich. They were more interested in helping others.
Increasingly, I believe that the cultural barriers are coming down, and a new generation of leaders who feel themselves to be citizens of the world, rather than simply Americans, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans are looking for a way to be part of a larger community and find their unique leadership styles.
So, I interviewed 30 exceptional multicultural leaders who are women. Their self-belief and confidence apart, they were UNREASONABLE. They took full responsibility for who they could become.
PINK and grow RICH touches on what REAL wealth is. In it, you will read some memoirs from the ‘Rich and Famous’, who dared to be RICH – like they wanted.
RS: What is the BIG idea of this ebook?
DB: There are two main themes for my eBook
#1. UNREASONABLE Rule Book
This e-book can make one promise that if you had one reason for NOT living your DREAM – you will find that with the UNREASONABLE Rule Book – 11 UNREASONABLE RULES of success that will help you OWN your dreams. You will know how to live your life, use your mind, go toward your dreams that you want to make REAL and SOLID.
#2. The 6C Framework
I went deeper with what I call “The 6C framework” – 6 common characteristics of leaders. I share these characteristics that give them the energy and vitality to get the work that needs to be done (to achieve their dreams). You will find excerpts of my conversations with these women and what they stood for.
Example:
Ann Winblad: Partner, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
RS: What advice do you have for women to do to grow as leaders?
DB: Set your goals high. Understand what you know and what you do not know. Get educated about things that you do not know.
It is important to know – “Who am I?”, “Where am I drawn?”, “Where is the current towing me?”
Get a grip on what is your baseline and how you are going to achieve it. Brainstorm and vocalize what you want to do. You need to have the courage to talk out loud about what you want to do and that is also how you attract others to support you in your journey.
RS: Who is the perfect person to read this book?
DB: People with dreams, with a genuine desire to unleash their leadership potential, to become the person they always wanted to be, to become leaders, take action, and make their ideas happen. Sadly, most people quit on their dreams. This ebook chronicles the best practices of those who defy the cultural barriers and limiting situations.
Click to Download: PINK and Grow Rich ($9.99 discounted during holidays)
RS: Deepika, If you had to pick a favorite from the 11 unreasonable rules, which one would it be and why?
My favorite is Unreasonable Rule # 2: Be Fearless.
I believe when you make up your mind to do something, there is not a lot of analysis you can do about the outcomes – mostly it will be speculation. Most leaders show no fear. Helen Keller was deaf and blind and went on to become an author, lecturer, and activist. In her words, “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature…. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
RS: What is ONE more question that I should have asked you and what is the answer to that?
Another question could have been: Why Pink?
PINK is a color associated with little girls or girly stuff. But I believe that there is more to PINK than little girls and Barbies. Don’t get me wrong. I love
PINK and all the GIRLY things…
PINK is associated with being soft, touchy, and cute. I believe these are positive attributes at any age of your life. I wasn’t going to let go of PINK so easily.
Here is my take on the NEW PINK:
It is the color of passion – a passion to create, inner strength, and confidence. And so I choose PINK