Chill, But Principled  (Paperback, Bala Rajamanickam)

In today’s fast-paced world, I’ve noticed something troubling—people seem more stressed than focused, more reactive than reflective. As I moved through my own leadership journey, I encountered moments that tested not just my skills, but my mindset. And in those moments, I didn’t always rely on frameworks or formulas. I relied on calm. On clarity. On intuition. That’s what Chill But Principled is about. It’s not another book filled with models and acronyms. It’s a collection of stories from my life and leadership experiences—raw, honest, and deeply personal. Each one taught me something about leadership, not as a title, but as a way of being. I wrote this for the quiet thinkers, the empathetic doers, and the intentional leaders who may not see themselves as “natural” leaders but lead with heart and purpose. If you’ve ever wondered whether leadership is for you… If you’ve ever felt invisible in a room full of loud voices… If you’ve ever led with empathy instead of ego… Then this book is for you. Leadership isn’t rocket science. It’s about how you handle situations. How you treat people. How you show up when it matters. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll see that you’ve been a leader all along.