Beyond the Playbook offers a compelling and actionable take on purpose-driven, adaptive leadership in a changing world
New Delhi, 17 April 2025: Penguin Random House India is delighted to announce the acquisition of Beyond the Playbook, the much-anticipated debut by Roopa Kudva—acclaimed business leader, strategic thinker, and champion of inclusive development. Beyond the Playbook will be published under the Penguin Business imprint and is slated for release in October 2025.
As AI reshapes industries, hybrid teams redefine collaboration, and generational shifts transform workplace values, Beyond the Playbook arrives as a timely and essential read for forward-thinking professionals seeking to lead with purpose, adaptability, and integrity. The book explores the new essentials of leadership: empathy, agility, ethical decision-making, and stakeholder awareness.
Roopa brings a rare combination of experiences to this book—having evaluated a wide spectrum of Indian and global organisations, led a large company through transformation, invested in some of India’s most innovative start-ups, and served on several prestigious boards.
Speaking about the book, author Roopa Kudva says, ‘Leadership is not formulaic – it goes beyond playbooks or checklists. This book blends strategic insights, real-world case studies from India and around the world, my personal stories and practical actions that readers can immediately apply. Whether in a corporate setup or in a startup, it helps leaders craft a leadership approach and style that is uniquely theirs, rooted in their own journey, the choices they make and the values they stand by.’
Radhika Marwah, Executive Editor at PRH India, adds, ‘The strength of this book lies in its universal relevance—for corporate leaders, emerging leaders or entrepreneurs scaling start-ups. Roopa masterfully balances the essential hard skills of leadership—like decision-making, performance management, and stakeholder alignment—with the often overlooked but equally vital soft skills. From leading with emotional intelligence to managing multigenerational teams, integrating AI, and building culture in hybrid environments, this book is both timely and timeless.’
Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior Vice-President, Adult Publishing Division, PRH India, says, ‘I am delighted to welcome Roopa Kudva to Penguin Random House India with her debut book Beyond the Playbook. As our workplace and office culture continues to change rapidly, Roopa’s book will help us navigate through these dynamic times. Beyond the Playbook will be an excellent guide for business leaders to think out of the box and lead with empathy and example.’
With the next decade poised to witness a generational shift in leadership—with millennials and Gen Z stepping into key roles—Roopa Kudva’s debut sets a new standard for what leadership literature can and should be: inclusive, actionable, and deeply human.
About the Author
Roopa is a distinguished business leader, early-stage investor, and board director with nearly four decades of experience in the financial and investment sectors. Known for transformative leadership and commitment to social impact, she has built a career marked by innovation and advocacy for inclusive development.
As the former Managing Director and CEO of CRISIL, Roopa transformed India’s premier credit rating agency into a global analytical powerhouse, growing market capitalization four-fold and tripling revenues.
Later, Roopa led Omidyar Network India as Managing Partner, making investments using technology to build sustainable, impactful solutions for inclusive growth and create opportunities for India’s “Next Half Billion”,
Roopa’s experience includes serving on several prestigious boards, including Infosys, Nestlé India, Tata AIA Life Insurance Company and The Global Impact Investing Network. She has also been a member of key committees of The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Her accolades include CNBC-TV 18’s ‘Outstanding Woman Business Leader of the Year’ award and appearances in the “most powerful women” lists of Business Today (six consecutive years) and Fortune India (seven years). She is a Distinguished Alumna of IIM Ahmedabad.
Roopa brings a rare blend of business acumen, impact and inclusion orientation, and personal leadership experience to her writing.