Others appear who speak with intent rather than shouting above more noise in an increasingly noisy, pressure-cooker, fast-forward world. Arun Malik is among them. He is a winning Author and former corporate executive, is both a strategic mind and spiritual traveler. Perceived by many as one of India’s finest leadership writers, his journey is less one of rapid ascent than consistent, deliberate expansion.
What began as an article about the hub of a challenging corporate project in Pune, where burnout, overtime, and the cutting edge of technology were the rule rather than the exception, soon evolving into a mission. His method of quoting powerful words at the time found its use well beyond the boardroom. Bestselling books that contain a few like Courting Happiness, Winning Over Life, and Positivity is Hatching, to mention but a few, were the products of such empathetic and resilience-based discussions.
His radical concept of “micro-leadership,” that daily, small habits of self-awareness and mentoring can make profound differences, is the foundation of his work. Rather than dictating quick fixing, he is advocating daily, habitual practices that produce inner resilience and emotional intelligence.
His words, his writing, and his growing popularity worldwide attest to a philosophy beyond title or profession: that true leadership begins in awareness of self and continues through service to others. Malik continually is redefining what to is leading in today’s multifaith world, unobtrusive, powerful, and always intentional ways through the integration of his technical skill with rich stories.
The Crucible Moment
The turning point came in 2010 during what Malik describes as his “crucible moment.” While managing a high-stakes technology project in Pune, he found himself working relentless hours amid sudden technological shifts and corporate budget cuts. Recognition was scarce, stress was overwhelming, and many of his peers were burning out.
Instead of succumbing to the pressure, Malik began channeling his thoughts into brief, powerful quotes. Initially shared casually with colleagues and posted online, these nuggets of wisdom struck an unexpected chord. Friends, former classmates, and even strangers began reaching out, sharing how his words had provided them with clarity during their own difficult moments.
“I realized that leadership isn’t just about managing projects or hitting targets. It’s about touching lives, one person at a time. When a struggling colleague told me that a single quote I shared had prevented him from giving up on his career, I knew I had found my true calling.” he recalls.
The overwhelming response from his network provided the validation he needed. Encouraged by a fellow IRMA alumnus, he compiled his quotes into his debut book, ” Courting Happiness,” marking the beginning of his transformation from corporate executive to global motivational leader.
The Philosophy of Micro-Leadership
Malik’s leadership approach, both in his corporate years and current writing career, centers on what he calls “micro-leadership” the belief that small, consistent actions can create profound transformations. Unlike traditional motivational speakers who promise dramatic overnight changes, he advocates for sustainable, daily practices of optimism and awareness.
“Success and failure are mindsets, not end results. A leader’s job isn’t to create perfect conditions, but to help people thrive despite imperfect ones.” he states
This philosophy permeates his literary portfolio, which includes titles such as “Courting Happiness,” “Inviting Abundance,” “Unfolding Dreams,” “You Can Make It Big,” “The Reflections,” “Winning Over Life,” “Happiness! As We Seek It,” “Odds Don’t Define Me,” “Silence Please,” and “Positivity is Hatching.” Each book serves as a leadership manual disguised as motivational reading.
His writing process itself reflects his leadership style, methodical, authentic, and deeply empathetic. Working primarily during night hours when inspiration flows freely, he spends considerable time researching psychological frameworks and real-world applications before crafting his insights. Some books have been completed in as little as 30 days during intense creative periods, a testament to his disciplined approach to leadership through literature.
Global Recognition and Reach
The impact of Malik’s unconventional leadership approach has garnered significant recognition. Featured in Hindustan Metro’s “Top 20 Famous Authors of India – 2025,” he has built a global readership through strategic self-publishing via Kindle Direct Publishing. His books are available in both digital and print formats, making his leadership insights accessible to diverse audiences worldwide.
What sets Malik apart from other motivational authors is his authentic integration of corporate experience with spiritual wisdom. Having led cross-functional teams across multiple continents, he understands the practical challenges leaders face while maintaining an unwavering belief in human potential.
During his corporate years, he observed that the most effective leaders weren’t necessarily the most technically skilled. Instead, they were the ones who could inspire hope during uncertainty and maintain team morale during setbacks. This insight is what he strives to capture in his books offering practical wisdom for everyday leadership challenges.
The Personal Foundation
Malik’s leadership credibility stems partly from his personal authenticity. Supported throughout his career transition by his mother, whose faith became a pillar of his perseverance, and married to Dr. Monika Malik, a postgraduate dental surgeon, he has maintained strong family bonds while pursuing his mission. Their children, Amish (22) and Ambika (18), have grown up witnessing their father’s transformation from corporate executive to inspirational leader.
His personal values, vegetarianism driven by empathy, love for animals, and commitment to community engagement—reflect the same principles he advocates in his professional philosophy. These aren’t merely lifestyle choices but demonstrations of the integrated leadership approach he champions.
“Leadership begins with self-leadership. How can you inspire others to live authentically if you’re not living authentically yourself? My family, my values, and my daily practices are all part of my leadership platform.” he emphasizes
Future Vision and Legacy Building
Currently working on a satirical book about corporate culture, Malik continues to evolve his leadership approach. The upcoming work aims to highlight discrepancies between corporate values and real-world practices, using wit and humor to expose deeper truths about professional environments, a natural extension of his leadership philosophy of addressing difficult topics with accessibility and insight.
His future goals reflect the ambitious scope of his leadership vision: delivering keynote lectures worldwide on emotional intelligence and personal growth, expanding into guided journals and audiobooks, and promoting what he calls “a global culture of inner motivation and conscious leadership.”
“My ultimate goal isn’t to be known as a successful author. It’s to contribute to a world where leadership is synonymous with empowerment, where every person recognizes their capacity to inspire others, and where positivity becomes a practical tool rather than mere wishful thinking.” he clarifies.
The Malik Method
What emerges from conversations with Malik is a leadership approach that defies conventional categorization. He combines the strategic thinking of a technology executive with the empathy of a counselor, the discipline of an engineer with the creativity of an artist, and the global perspective of an international professional with the grounded wisdom of someone who has faced personal and professional adversity.
His signature quote encapsulates this integrated approach: “Please don’t give up in the face of adversity. A diamond is just a piece of charcoal that handled stress well.” It’s vintage Malik scientifically accurate, metaphorically powerful, and practically applicable.
As organizations worldwide grapple with employee engagement, mental health, and authentic leadership, his journey from corporate corridors to inspirational literature offers a compelling model. He demonstrates that true leadership isn’t about position or authority, but about the consistent ability to help others see possibilities they couldn’t see before.
In an era of complex leadership theories and expensive corporate training programs, Arun Malik’s approach is refreshingly simple yet profoundly effective: lead through authentic inspiration, one person, one quote, one moment at a time. For a mechanical engineer who stumbled into motivational writing during his most stressful professional period, he has architected something far more valuable than any corporate success, a legacy of hope that continues to multiply with each reader who decides not to give up.