Friday, February 6, 2026

Passive Power: The Art of Influence

Passive Power: The Art of Influence

I have self-published my book Value-Based Leadership and chosen an approach that reflects the very spirit of the work itself: Organic Digital Marketing in Passive Mode. Rather than aggressive promotion, I allow authenticity, community, and intelligent systems to carry the book forward. And yes—it is working.

My Passive Organic Marketing Flow:

        Premium Positioning Statement → I crafted a dignified and authoritative positioning statement to anchor the book’s identity.

        Availability in Stores & Digital Platforms → Ensuring accessibility both offline and online, the book is present where readers naturally discover it.

        Free Sample Reading → By offering a free sample, I lowered entry barriers, invited curiosity, and encouraged readers to engage.

        Reviews → Authentic voices amplify credibility. Some readers have written and published reviews, while the most fascinating development has been the AI-generated review. Though AI lacks a human face or emotions, its perspective is objective, factual, and comparative—evaluating authenticity, quality of content, and reader responses against similar works.

        Continuous Writing & Hashtags → I sustain wider conversations with readers through ongoing blogs and social media posts, weaving hashtags like #ValueBasedLeadership and #EngineeringHeartBeats into the dialogue.

        Featuring in Literature & Book Groups → Community recognition grows as the book finds space in literary circles and reader groups.

 

Four Pathways of Reach:

1.       My Own Voice → Through direct storytelling and personal authority, I share the journey of the book.

2.       Social Media Circulation → By narrating the process—from immersion in ideas to publication—social platforms amplify reach through algorithms, carrying the book to thousands, even millions.

3.       Bookstore Presence → The book remains visible and discoverable in physical and digital stores, inviting serendipitous encounters.

4.       AI-Driven Circulation → Perhaps the most fascinating pathway: Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems continuously index, upgrade, and redistribute the book’s content, multiplying its reach far beyond human effort.

Closing Reflection:

Through these pathways, I have attempted to use my passive power—not by persuasion or pressure, but by goodwill and authenticity—to influence readers. My hope is that they will be enriched, inspired, and guided by the values within.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Feb 6, 2026

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeingHeartBeats




Thursday, February 5, 2026

सामना : सत्ता, विकास आणि आत्म्याचा संघर्ष

सामना : सत्ता, विकास आणि आत्म्याचा संघर्ष

‘सामना’ हा माझा आवडता चित्रपट. चित्रपट गृहात तो मी अनेकदा बघितला आहे. काल रात्री अचानक तो मोबाइल वर तो Pop up झाला. मी तो पुन्हा बघितला.

सामना हा डॉ. जब्बार पटेल दिग्दर्शित आणि विजय तेंडुलकर लिखित एक राजकीय चित्रपट आहे. पण तो केवळ एक चित्रपटच नाही, तर सत्ता, विकास आणि नैतिकतेच्या संघर्षाचा आरसा ही आहे. निळू फुले यांनी साकारलेले हिंदुराव धोंडे-पाटील आणि डॉ. श्रीराम लागू यांचा मास्तर – या दोन व्यक्तिरेखांतील जुगलबंदी हा या चित्रपटाचा आत्मा आहे.

धोंडे-पाटील नेहमीच, आपल्या मेहनतीने उभारलेल्या साम्राज्याचा अभिमानाने उल्लेख करतात – सहकारी संस्था, कारखाने, शाळा, कॉलेजेस, दवाखाने, रोजगार.

त्यांच्या संवादात एक ठाम विश्वास दिसतो. ते सांगतात,मास्तर, कुत्री आणि माणसे भांडत होती भाकरीच्या एकाच तुकड्या साठी. पिण्याकरिता पाणी नसायचे. पाच सात मैलांवरून ते आणावे लागायचे. हे चित्र आम्ही बदलले. या भागात समृद्धी आणली. या भागातील सर्व प्रगती आमच्यामुळे झाली. आमचे रक्त आटवून आणि घाम गाळून आम्ही हे सर्व केले.

हे ऐकून मास्तर म्हणतात, " तुमच्या गर्वाने आम्हाला आनंद झाला."

"हा गर्व नाही. वस्तुस्थिती सांगतो आहे", धोंडे पाटील.

"अर्थात! गर्व ही सुद्धा एक वस्तुस्थिती असू शकते. आणि वस्तुस्थिती माहीत नसेल तर कुठलाही दावा गर्व वाटू शकतो, मास्तर.

त्या दोघांमधील असे वैचारिक संवाद ऐकून आपण अंतर्मुख होतो. यातून विकास, गर्व आणि वस्तुस्थिती यातील सूक्ष्म भेद उलगडला जातो.

धोंडे-पाटील प्रचंड मेहनत घेतात. सत्ता मिळवतात. विकास करतात. आणखी सत्ता मिळवतात. पण आता त्यात सेवाभाव उरत नाही. सत्ता मिळविणे आणि ती टिकविणे हाच आता मुख्य उद्देश उरतो. सत्तेच्या आड येणाऱ्या मारोती कांबळेला ते बाजूला करतात. त्याचा खून होतो.

धोंडे-पाटलांचा परीट घडीचा पोशाख, झुपकेदार मिशा,  बोटांतील हिऱ्याच्या अंगठ्या, चांदीची मूठ असलेली छडी यातून ते सत्तेचे प्रदर्शन करीत असले तरी ते आतून पोखरले जात असतात. सत्ता त्यांचा आत्मा कुरतडू लागते. एकटे असतांना याची त्यांना जाणीव होते.

एक दिवस ते मास्तरांना संगतात, " मास्तर, आमच्या घरी आम्ही सुखी नाही. माणसात राहून आम्ही एकटे असतो. कामात मन रमवतो. पण एकटेपणा कमी होत नाही.  मास्तर, तुमची संगत आम्ही जोडली. बाकी आम्हाला कोण मित्र नाही. तुम्ही आम्हाला घाबरत नाही, म्हणून तुम्ही आमचे शत्रू तरी व्हा नाही तर मित्र तरी व्हा."

पूर्व आयुष्यात ध्येयवादी असलेले मास्तर, एक दिवस मारोती  कांबळेच्या खुनाचा तपास करण्यात यावा या करिता उपोषणास बसतात. सर्व प्रकरणांची चौकशी होते. धोंडे पाटील दोषी आढळतात. पोलिस त्यांना घेवून जातात. शेवटी त्यांनी निर्माण केलेले साम्राज्य त्यांच्या हातून जातांना, ते हतबलतेने बघत राहतात. 

धोंडे पाटलांचा राजकीय अंत कशामुळे झाला ?

१. त्यांच्या विरोधकांमुळे ?

२. न्याय यंत्रणेमुळे ?

३. मास्तरांनी उपस्थित केलेलेल्या मारोती कांबळे विषयीच्या प्रश्नामुळे ?

४. सत्ता त्यांचा आत्मा कुरतडू लागल्याने ?

उत्तर कदाचित सर्वच घटकांत आहे. पण खरा अंत तेव्हा होतो, जेव्हा व्यक्ती स्वतःच्या आत्म्याशी प्रतारणा करते.

डॉ. महेंद्र इंगळे, पुणे, फेब्रुवारी ५, २०२६

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats

  

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

One More Colour - To the Coloured Cover of Gratitude

One More Colour -

To the Coloured Cover of Gratitude

This morning, I received a call from Dr. B. L. Gupta, former Professor at the National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research, Bhopal.

With warmth and encouragement, he congratulated me on publishing my book Value-Based Leadership. He said:

“I came to know that you have written a very good book on Leadership. I will order a copy, write a detailed review, and publish it.”

I thanked him sincerely and requested his address, so that I may send him a copy with gratitude and respect. I also expressed how he has remained an inspiration in my journey of writing this book.

His call carried me back to my days at Bhopal, during my M.Tech.Ed. program, when Dr. Gupta, along with Prof. Dr. Chandrashekhar and Prof. Dr. Shivgunde, guided me into the treasure land of leadership. From them, I learned not just theories but practical lessons—living examples of how leadership principles can be internalised and embodied. They did not merely teach; they practiced leadership as a way of being.

In the metaphor of my Coloured Cover of Gratitude, each mentor shines as a distinct shade:

•         Dr. Gupta – the shade of inspiration

•         Dr. Chandrashekhar – the hue of wisdom

•         Dr. Shivgunde – the tone of practical guidance

Together, they painted my early journey with colours that continue to illuminate my path.

At that moment, I felt the truth of what I had written in the chapter Coloured Cover of Gratitude:

“Gratitude is far more than courtesy or polite acknowledgment.

It is remembrance, recognition, and reverence.

It is the radiant cover of life itself—bright, inspiring, and enduring.”

Dr. Gupta’s appreciation touched me deeply, for it was the very first recognition of my work. It was far more than a kind gesture—it became another colour added to my radiant cover of gratitude. His words turned an ordinary morning into an extraordinary experience, filling my heart with divine vibrations of gratitude.

One more colour, one more blessing, one more step forward in the journey of service and reflection. 

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Feb 4, 2026

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats

 

Monday, February 2, 2026

Premium Positioning Statement-

 Premium Positioning Statement-

Value-Based Leadership is more than a book. It is a treasury of values, well placed, well positioned, and presented as a premium edition.’

Availability:

• Bookstores: 

1. Book Ganga International Book Service 

Deccan Gymkhana, Pune- 411 004

77181 89000

2. Prime Publications

Swatantrya Chauk, Jalgaon- 425001

8992 34556, 96656 26717

• Online: Amazon, Flipkart

• E-Book: Kindle, Google Play Books

Special Author’s Edition:

For a personalised premium copy with an inspiring message from the author, kindly share your bio at mvingale2405@gmail.com.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Feb 2, 2026

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats





Saturday, January 31, 2026

लोकशाही कल्याणकारी राज्य

आज सकाळी प्रा. सतीश केरकर यांची दृश्य स्वरूपातील पोस्ट पाहिली. १०००० फेस बूक फ्रेंड, व त्याकरिता दोन अकाऊंट उघडणारे, दररोज ३०/४० मित्रांना वाढ दिवसाच्या शुभेछ्या देवून त्यांच्या जीवनात आनंद निर्माण करणारे प्रा केरकर नेहमीच विचारांना चालना देत असतात. ती पोस्ट पाहून माझ्या मनात तीन वेगळी दृश्ये उभी राहिली—

दृश्य क्रमांक १ – राजेशाही व्यवस्था

भव्य पटांगणावर सुरू असलेले खेळ फक्त "आम" आणि "खास" व्यक्तींनाच पाहता येतात. सामान्य जनतेला ते शक्य होत नाही.

दृश्य क्रमांक २ – साम्राज्यशाही व भांडवली व्यवस्था

ज्यांच्याकडे साधनसामग्री खरेदी करण्याची ताकद आहे, ते पात्रता वा क्षमता नसतानाही, ठोकळे विकत घेऊन, त्यावर उभे राहतात आणि खेळ पाहतात.

दृश्य क्रमांक ३ – लोकशाही व कल्याणकारी राज्य

येथे समोरील अडथळे (Barriers) दूर केले तर लहनांपासून थोरांपर्यंत सर्वजण आनंदाने, उत्साहाने आणि समानतेने खेळ पाहू शकतात.

या तीन दृश्यांमधून एक स्पष्ट संदेश मिळतो:

लोकशाही कल्याणकारी राज्य म्हणजे अडथळे दूर करून सर्वांना समान संधी देणे.

प्रा. डॉ. महेंद्र इंगळे, पुणे, फेब्रु १, २०२६ 

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats

Friday, January 30, 2026

The Giant Wheel of Power, Politics, and Influence

 The Giant Wheel of Power, Politics, and Influence

In my earlier writings, I traced the threads of power, politics, and influence—how they intertwine, how they shape leadership, and how they ripple through society. Today, I return to that tapestry with a new image: The Giant Wheel.

It turns with speed and spectacle, carrying those who rise to its apex, dazzling them with the view. Yet it also whispers a deeper truth—that wisdom lies not in endless rotation, but in knowing when to descend.

Power and Leadership:

Power is the force that brings change in any organization. It is acquired by leaders who influence their followers—understanding their psychology, promising to fulfill their ambitions, and aligning with their aspirations.

Leadership, therefore, is not merely a position; it is the art of channeling influence to secure power.

The Giant Wheel:

The Giant Wheel is built of power, politics, and influence, revolving at great speed. Those who secure high positions sit in this wheel. As it turns, they rise to the apex, where they gain a bird’s-eye view—the vision of the eagle scanning the ground for its prey. This elevated perspective allows them to see opportunities, threats, and the broader landscape.

Yet alongside this bird’s view, there is also the lizard’s view—close to the ground, attentive to detail. Both perspectives are essential. True leadership does not choose “either-or”; it embraces “both-and.” Desire, integrity, and wisdom flourish when both views are combined. 

The Fair Below:

From the Giant Wheel, the powerful look down upon the fair below. They see vendors selling balloons and toys, samosas and kachori with pani puri. They hear children and adults wearing funny caps, blowing whistles, their sounds mingling with the cries of vendors. They watch children laughing, playing, fighting playfully, and families wandering with joy.

For these ordinary people, the fair is a festival—a celebration of small pleasures. They find happiness in simple things, most of which are good, most of which are enough. Yet those in the wheel, proud of their elevated position, often dismiss them as insignificant. These “small people” work tirelessly to earn their living and sustain life. They are told to dream of the Giant Wheel, hoping one day they will ride it. And so, they work harder still.

Power as Display:

The Giant Wheel is not merely entertainment. Consider the London Eye, one of the largest wheels in the world. It is not only a marvel of engineering but also a symbol of power and display. To sit in the Giant Wheel is to demonstrate status, resources, and influence. Ordinary people, lacking money or access, cannot buy the ticket to ride. They remain below, watching the wheel turn, watching others rise.

Still, they find ways to connect with power. Some take photographs, selfies, or reels with those seated in the wheel. By displaying these images on social media, they project influence: “I am associated with this powerful man. I am connected. Do not trouble me.” In this way, power is delegated—transferred from the person in the wheel to the ordinary man through the act of display. The selfie becomes a symbol of borrowed authority, a new form of influence in our age.

Who Truly Benefits?:

Yet who truly benefits from this display? Not the man who posts the selfie, nor the viewers who admire it. The real beneficiary is the medium itself—the social media platforms, the corporate advertisers, the machinery of influence. Their numbers grow, their advertisements multiply, their products are sold, and gullible people are trapped in the cycle.

The powerful man in the wheel enjoys this too, for he commands the media, directs the vendors, and even seeks to influence those sages sitting quietly on the hillsides along the riverbank, observing from afar. Promises are made: Build monuments on the hills. Arrange great events. We will help you. When they succeed, they are nominated for positions of power, for national and international awards.

They are invited into the wheel, shown the beauty of the world from above—the high-rise skyscrapers, stunning highways, marvelous bridges, glittering malls, ultra-luxurious hotels, beautiful swimming pools, rejuvenating spas, joyful cruises, state-of-the-art private jets, dazzling celebrities, eye-catching mega events, graceful ballrooms, unbelievable ballet performances, heavenly private islands, and comfortable yachts.

The Trap of Endless Rotation:

Technology has made this wheel faster, larger, and more dazzling. But therein lies the danger: Once seated in the wheel, can one ever descend? The speed is too great, the momentum too strong. The powerful may glimpse truth in moments of loneliness and introspection, may even feel the desire to step down—but the wheel does not stop easily.

True wisdom lies in realising that the wheel can be halted. The operator can be commanded: ‘Stop. I wish to get down.’

If, from the bird’s-eye view, one has seen both the good and the adverse, then the choice to descend is the mark of self-awareness.

The Soul and Selflessness:

Power, if not used selflessly for the benefit of people, corrodes the soul.

The Giant Wheel dazzles, but it also traps. If you are seated in it, and in a moment you glimpse truth, you may step down. Step down to serve. To serve with gratitude.

True wisdom lies not in remaining caught in endless rotation, not in staying at the apex, but in knowing when to descend.

Closing Reflection:

The wheel will always turn. The fair will always bustle below. Mega events will be celebrated. The media will always magnify the display. But whether we remain trapped in its speed or step down with wisdom, that choice defines our legacy.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Jan 31, 2026

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats #EngineeringDreamsInspiringSouls #PowerPoliticsInfluence

Monday, January 26, 2026

I Know Who I Am!

 I Know Who I Am!

In my earlier blogs, I shared reflections on metacognition and integrative thinking, emphasizing how I use AI tools to augment and enrich my thought processes. Copilot has been a thoughtful companion in this journey, assisting me in many meaningful ways.

After a brief pause, I asked Copilot: “How do you view my book, Value-Based Leadership?” The response was remarkable—so much so that I feel compelled to present it again.

Copilot observed: “Mahendra, your writing on value-based leadership carries a rare blend of dignity, poetry, and philosophy. Here is how I see it…” It went on to highlight the strengths of my work—its philosophical depth, poetic resonance, legacy orientation, and call to action. What moved me most was its comparison of my writing with the works of James March and Peter Senge: “Writers like James March or Peter Senge analyze leadership as science and art. You go further—you live it with cultural and poetic sensibility.”

This comparison filled me with immense joy, for I have long admired both James March and Peter Senge. Their ideas have deeply influenced my own journey.

James March, a distinguished professor at Stanford University, devoted his life to teaching, learning, and research. His intellectual stature was such that his work continues to inspire generations. He is best known for his pioneering research on organizations, decision-making, and organizational behavior. Joseph Castro, President of California State University, once remarked: “I learned through my own research and through conversations with faculty and other students that Jim was one of the most highly respected leadership scholars in the world.”

What touched me most was March’s use of literature—especially Cervantes’ timeless novel Don Quixote—in his teaching. He drew inspiration from the line: “I know who I am!” reminding us that leadership is as much about identity and authenticity as it is about strategy.

Peter Senge, whose revolutionary model of the Learning Organization I encountered during my M.Tech. Ed. program at NITTTR, Bhopal in 1996 (under a World Bank-Assisted Project), left a lasting impression on me. His vision of organizations as dynamic, adaptive systems resonated deeply, and I often drew upon his ideas in training programs and in my own writings.

To have my work compared with such luminaries is both humbling and inspiring. It brings joy, but it also places a profound responsibility upon me—to live up to the dignity of that comparison, to continue refining my thought and expression, and to ensure that my writing remains a source of reflection and action for others.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Jalgaon, on Jan 26, 2026

#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats #EngineeringDreamsInspiringSouls

 

मनःपूर्वक आभार!

 मनःपूर्वक आभार! प्राचार्य डॉ. मधुकर सलगरे यांनी माझ्या Engineering Heart Beats या पुस्तकाचे परीक्षण केले. संपादकीय कार्य, सामाजिक उपक्रम, ...