Where to buy
Carried by Amazon in every market, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Waterstones, Booktopia, Kinokuniya, Flipkart, Google Books, Apple Books and Kobo. Printed on demand close to wherever it is ordered.
Listed with the worldwide trade network, so any bookstore or library can order it. Ask for it by ISBN: 978-1957456171 (paperback).
What is inside
Ant Acts & Builds, Snake Sleeps & Rules by Srinivasan T. explores leadership through a simple but distinctive analogy drawn from the contrasting behaviours of ants and snakes. Rather than presenting leadership as a set of abstract theories, the book focuses on practical actions that help leaders build credibility, strengthen teams, and respond to changing business demands.
A central theme is participative leadership, where leaders actively engage with their teams instead of merely directing them from a distance. The book examines the importance of continuous learning and upskilling, particularly in a business environment shaped by rapid technological change, rising customer expectations, and the constant need for innovation.
Srinivasan also looks at how leaders can improve their credibility through consistent action, create skilled and competent teams, and move beyond what he describes as hollow motivation. The emphasis is on building a culture where people contribute meaningfully, take responsibility, and grow alongside the organisation.
The book also considers how leaders can develop competitive advantage without becoming trapped in constant rivalry. By using relatable analogies instead of dense management terminology, it presents leadership lessons in a more accessible and memorable way.
The book is written for managers, team leaders, startup founders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and aspiring leaders who want to improve the way they build and guide teams.
It is particularly relevant to readers looking for practical perspectives on participative leadership, team development, credibility, continuous learning, and creating a more action-oriented workplace culture.
Excerpt
From “Title Page”
Once upon a time, there lived a tribe in a village. The oldest man invariably became the wisest amongst all and eventually became the leader. A strict disciplinarian, the wise old man did not like or entertain any bending-the-rule phenomenon. Neither did he let any meddling with the existing system, nor did he wish to learn anything new or proceed to advancement. As years passed by, the nearby villages embraced the unique hues of change and eventually became more progressive with time.
However, the old man and his tribe were stuck within that same fragile and waning mindset. The old man kept leaning over his comfortable and yet limited knowledge while the world moved at lightning speed. Considering the shunted growth, many tribe members decided to move elsewhere, leaving behind the old man all alone, caged inside his preconceived notion. Once revered as a know-it-all personality, the old man suddenly became a half-witted burden for the whole tribe.
His ignorance, bullheadedness, and unaccommodating attitude became a curse to growth and development. In a matter of time, the tribe members dethroned their leader only to move with the new tide of change. As I narrate this slice of fiction, do you find an uncanny resemblance with our persisting organizational requirements? Every business, whether a startup or traditional setup, is flourishing amidst a constantly changing world. As the world changes, the knowledge domain widens, and thus, a plethora of information comes in. Now, is there a limit set to acquiring such information or knowledge?
Suppose I am a salesman, doing exceptionally great in cracking some big deals for my company. Do I need to learn anything about my organization's financial management or operational cost and management? The common misconception is to be a master of one rather than becoming a jack of all trades. In some contexts, it may fit well; however, if I am given the duty of leading a team of varied talents, I cannot shy away from knowing the basic details of every skill required to run my team or a company.
The world is witnessing an era of reskilling where the whole ideology of leadership is altered and redefined to thrive well in this constantly changing and competitive world. Continuous learning at the workplace has become the new norm, irrespective of your position.
About the author
Founder, Defining Identity · Bangalore, India
Srinivasan T. is the Chief Capability Officer at LEAD, with 18+ years of corporate experience and over a decade in education. He specialises in high-performing teams, innovative products, loyal customers, and startup scaling.
Published by Stardom Books — written from the author’s own words, in the author’s name. Browse the catalogue
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