The Values Compass: What 101 Countries Teach Us About Purpose, Life and Leadership

Mandeep Rai is a global authority on values, working with companies, institutions, and individuals around the world. She has travelled to more that 150 countries and reported as a journalist for the BBC World Service, CNN, Forbes and Reuters, amongst others.

She began her career in private banking at JPMorgan, and later worked for the United Nations, the European Commission, and grassroots NGOs before setting up the UAE’s first media venture capital fund.

Mandeep studied philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE), has an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics, and completed an MBA at London Business School, with a year at Harvard Business School and MIT. She also holds a PhD in global values.

Why did you write the book?

The reason I wrote this book is because I know the power of values and have seen how it can transform organisations, groups or individuals. Whether you are a multinational or a start-up, a university, school or family, or a reflective individual – going through this process and becoming clear about your values will bring greater ease, clarity and happiness to your life.

This began as a gift to my child and was initially called ‘Letter to my unborn child’ – yet it was applicable to every person on the planet, and hence became a Business Book to be published by Simon & Schuster, and now published in multiple languages.

What value does the book offer?

The Values Compass: What 101 Countries Teach Us About Purpose, Life and Leadership is a tool which you can utilise in your life, as well as being an insightful guide and entertaining read. It enables an individual or any group to ascertain their core values leading to a journey of fulfilment, success and happiness (according to His Holiness, The Dalai Lama)!

What’s happened since you published the book?

I did not expect it to become an international bestseller or to be translated into languages around the world, or to be chosen as The Special Guide To The Olympics. Yet, when we consider its contribution to Diversity Equality and Inclusion, I can only be humbly grateful for the contribution it has made – in organisations, families and individuals. I see so many testimonials daily of the impact that focus on one’s values makes, both to the mission and purpose of people’s lives and to their quality of life thereafter. There is no greater service I can be part of and for me, this is much more than a book, it is movement which is taking people, families, groups, institutions and communities, closer to their very best self – no matter where in the world they are located or what their chosen value or treasure is.

The Values Compass: What 101 Countries Teach Us About Purpose, Life and Leadership (Published by Nicholas Brealey Publishing) is available to buy on Amazon. 

Connect with Mandeep: LinkedIn – Twitter – Instagram

Winners of The Business Book Awards 2021 will be revealed online on Tuesday 25th May 2021.