Beyond case preps: The books that helped me connect the dots in my MBA

Halfway through my MBA at SPJIMR, I often found myself surrounded by unread textbooks, packed schedules, and an endless stream of case preps. Every day brought truckloads of learning from some of the finest faculty, and while it constantly fed my curiosity, it also felt overwhelming at times. Coming from a non-business, non-technology background, I occasionally felt like I was assembling a complex puzzle, one piece at a time, often from the sidelines.

What helped me step into the driver’s seat was not just more cases, but stories. SPJIMR’s predominantly case-based pedagogy naturally builds an appetite for learning through narratives, stories of organisations, leaders, decisions, and consequences. That inclination soon extended beyond the classroom.

During one of my regular walks through the library, I picked up two books that changed how I absorbed and connected what I was learning in class:

Both books complement SPJIMR’s learning style beautifully. They presented management concepts not as isolated theories but as lived experiences, making retention easier and learning far more intuitive. Much like classroom cases and simulations, these narratives brought together decisions across functions and showed how strategy, finance, operations, people, and technology intersect in the real world.

Learning through stories: From case rooms to bookshelves

As a runner myself, Shoe Dog resonated deeply with me. Phil Knight’s passion for the sport and his relentless belief in Nike’s vision made the memoir gripping from the very first page. Beyond the glamour of a global brand, the book lays bare the uncertainty, risks, cash-flow challenges, supplier negotiations, and leadership dilemmas that defined Nike’s early years. Reading it alongside courses in Marketing, Finance, and Operations helped me see how decisions made under pressure ripple across an organisation.

Grit, Guts & Gumption, on the other hand, offered a strikingly different yet equally powerful perspective. It chronicles the transformation of the State Bank of India under O.P. Bhatt’s leadership (Chairman, SBI, 2006–2011) from a complacent incumbent facing stiff private-sector competition to a customer-centric, technology-driven institution. The book brought to life classroom discussions around change management, organisational culture, large-scale process reform, and the role of leadership in public-sector enterprises.

Unlike subject-specific cases, these books stitched multiple disciplines together seamlessly. They allowed me to appreciate how strategic intent translates into operational execution, how financial constraints shape innovation, and how people and culture ultimately determine the success of any transformation.

Influences beyond the classroom

SPJIMR’s faculty consistently encourages us to go beyond prescribed material and explore the vast literature available in both digital and physical forms. Along with a few friends, I have started maintaining a running list of books recommended during classes, an ever-growing reading list I am excited to work through.

Equally important are the spaces and resources that SPJIMR offers. The library, reading rooms, and GWR are not just physical facilities; they are environments that spark curiosity, reflection, and conversation. Peer discussions often extend classroom learning, helping translate insights from books into broader managerial perspectives.

Alongside books, The Ken has been another invaluable companion. Its newsletters, visual stories, and podcasts, especially focused on the Indian business and start-up ecosystem, have helped me stay current and think beyond frameworks and slides.

Shaping my view of management and leadership

Combining SPJIMR coursework with external reading has fundamentally shaped how I view management and leadership. These books have helped me substantiate classroom theory with real-world context and often go well beyond it. Authored by veterans and practitioners, they offer a richness of insight that reinforces, challenges, and deepens what we learn during the programme.

I am grateful to S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) for providing access to resources that do more than add knowledge. They help us connect the dots across subjects, experiences, and perspectives, preparing us not just for exams or placements, but for the complex realities of leadership beyond the MBA.