PHOTO: Deepak Gupta, author of Success is a Choice, drawing from decades of global leadership experience to inspire and empower individuals worldwide.
An Inspiring Leader’s Take On Achieving Lasting Success
Deepak Gupta shares his leadership journey, the philosophy behind Success is a Choice, and provides practical advice on communication, empathy, and breaking mindset barriers for personal and professional growth.
Deepak Gupta, an extraordinary thinker and inspiring leader, has spent decades transforming lives and careers across the globe. A seasoned professional with over three decades of exceptional contributions in senior roles at Procter & Gamble, spanning multiple countries, he has now distilled his vast professional experiences and personal insights into a visionary work aimed at empowering individuals to overcome limitations and achieve their full potential. His book, Success is a Choice, provides a deeply transformative blueprint, designed to dismantle invisible barriers and enable lasting success.
Through his journey as a leader and now as an author, Deepak Gupta has developed a distinctive approach to success—viewing it not as an endpoint but as a continuous journey driven by intentional choices, self-awareness, and compassion. With unparalleled professional expertise and a focus on empathy and inclusion, Deepak’s work resonates with readers globally, offering actionable lessons that can redefine personal and professional goals for anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The Power of a Blueprint for Success
In Success is a Choice, Deepak Gupta reveals the principles that help individuals navigate the complexities of personal and professional growth. With clarity and precision, he addresses the underdeveloped skills and mental hurdles that often limit individuals from excelling. From communication barriers to self-doubt, Deepak offers practical strategies to help readers focus on what truly matters and elevate their potential.
Deepak’s philosophy blends spiritual teachings with real-world application, emphasizing self-awareness and deliberate action. “Success isn’t merely a destination—it’s a continuous journey fueled by intentional choices and committed action,” says Deepak. His emphasis on the power of empathy, inclusion, and conscious communication exemplifies why his book has become a powerful guide for leaders and aspiring professionals alike.
Transitioning from Leadership to Authorship
When asked about his transition from a corporate leader to an author, Deepak candidly shares his motivations. “I had set a target to leave corporate life before I turned 55, giving me sufficient active time to lead a life of my choice. I got the opportunity at 53. Apart from business startups, a key objective for me was to share my experiential learnings for the benefit of others. This was my way of giving back to society.”
Acknowledging the struggles of talented individuals who face inexplicable hurdles in achieving professional success, Deepak felt compelled to document his experiences and lessons. Success is a Choice addresses these challenges head-on, aiming to demystify vital skills and empower its readers to reach their full potential.
Lessons in Leadership from Procter & Gamble
During his time at Procter & Gamble, Deepak acquired valuable insights into leadership that shaped his philosophy. Two crucial lessons stand out. First, success is a personal and ongoing journey—it cannot be defined by anyone except the individual. Second, effective leadership transcends individual brilliance; it is about empowering and enabling a team to thrive. This, he asserts, can only be achieved through empathy and compassion rather than mere control.
“Individual brilliance, by itself, is not enough. A leader must engage and enable their team to gain commitment. This can only be achieved through empathy and compassion; control suboptimizes individual as well as team potential and performance,” Deepak explains. These philosophies are central to his vision of leadership and success.
The Critical Role of Communication
According to Deepak, communication is one of the most undervalued yet essential skills for success—in both personal and professional contexts. He emphasizes that communication is not just the ability to speak or convey information but an art that involves thought, emotion, and precision. In Success is a Choice, he writes, “THOUGHT is the mind, and FEEL is the heart of effective communication; both are essential to enhance its efficacy and impact.”
He believes that many individuals fail to think and reflect before communicating, leading to misunderstandings and ineffective outcomes. By addressing these gaps, Deepak provides readers with strategies to enhance their communication skills and, in turn, elevate their relationships and careers.
Shaped by Global Perspectives
Deepak’s extensive exposure to international cultures has been instrumental in shaping his perspectives on leadership and success. Having worked in six culturally distinct countries and collaborated with professionals from over twenty nationalities, he gained deep insights into the universal principles of success and human dynamics.
“Despite the cultural diversity, the success skills are constant across the world,” he observes. This realization inspired him to create a globally relevant framework in Success is a Choice—one that transcends boundaries and equips individuals everywhere with tools to achieve their goals.
Breaking Mindset Barriers
One of the most pervasive obstacles to success, Deepak notes, is the mindset of self-doubt and excessive concern for others’ opinions. “We ourselves are our biggest barrier. Instead of a laser-like focus on what really matters, we spend an inordinate amount of time gaining others’ approval; this compromises our potential and performance,” he asserts. His advice is to shift focus inward, prioritize self-belief, and pursue what truly aligns with personal values and goals.
Spirituality and Sociological Insights in Success
Deepak’s views on personal growth are deeply influenced by spiritual and sociological teachings. Drawing from these philosophies, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on actions rather than worrying about their outcomes. He explains, “I am a firm believer that only our actions are in our control, not their consequence. Fretting over results, which are not in our control, causes undue anxiousness, stress, and frustration and, in fact, compromises what is in our control—our designated actions.”
This approach offers a refreshing perspective for those grappling with anxiety and the pressure to succeed, providing a sense of clarity and peace in their pursuits.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
For professionals aspiring to write self-help books based on their experiences, Deepak’s advice is simple yet profound: “Be courageous and do not hesitate to share your professional and personal experiences. Even seemingly simple learnings can be invaluable for young people in quest for knowledge and wisdom.” He advocates for the authenticity and relatability of sharing one’s journey, as it has the potential to inspire and guide others.
Deepak concludes with a powerful reflection on the feedback he has received: “A common theme in the feedback on my book is, ‘I wish Success is a Choice was available to me when I started my career.’”
Deepak Gupta’s extraordinary journey from global corporate leader to transformational author is a testament to his unwavering commitment to empowering others. Success is a Choice is more than just a self-help guide—it’s a heartfelt manifesto for aspiring leaders and individuals seeking to redefine their paths to success. By combining decades of experience, practical strategies, and profound wisdom, Deepak Gupta has created a timeless resource for anyone ready to break barriers, unlock their potential, and embark on a journey of intentional growth.
Source: Reader’s House
