Reviews & Testimonials
Hi Sibi, love reading your blog! Always feel drawn by the relevance of the content to our times as well as the unique socio- psychological analysis that you bring to any topic that you deal! Great job!
Last week my son procured a copy of ‘When the Boss is Wrong’ from the Mumbai airport book shop, where it was prominently displayed. I started reading and finished a few chapters. I liked the theme and its presentation. The narrations are ‘practical’ and linked to real life. While reading the book,I got reminded of some bosses with whom I had interacted during my career. Lot of similar situations depicted in the book. I will get back to you later after completing the book.
Sibichen, I had the opportunity to interact with you several times during our year long IIM, Bangalore program. You always came across as a very well-groomed, evolved, suave and polished personality full of refreshing ideas. I now went through some of the articles in your cyber diary and was impressed by the wide range of ideas and issues discussed with remarkable clarity, honesty and candour.
…each one was travelling in their own self made parallel lines…..boy and girl they never met actually…..both were in their own self constructed islands..Girl’s strong feelings and boys indifference resulted in selective perception of each other causing the end…..and beginning.. Clear and appealing story ! on The unborn love
Excellent work by Sibichen in bringing out the view points of such eminent personalities to us. My few thoughts- Vision of Mohandas Pai is not simple, it is the ultimate aim of any human society but most challenging to achieve in a country like ours- we have to take step by step just as happened during last few months through judgements of SC and by forced withdrawal of ordinance and bills by the Govt.
I remember a joke I read long back. A man shows the visitor his dog and says “He is like a member of our family.” The visitor, a tax man retorts, “But that doesn’t give you the right to mention him as a dependent in your tax returns and claim tax breaks.” Tax is something that is so entrenched in our psyche that it has even become part of our jokes, movies and day to day conversations.
Sibichen aptly illustrates the significance of everyday leadership in nurturing productivity at workplace. The author’s easy style of writing, coupled with anecdotes, will strike a chord with every working professional. (N R Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Ltd on ‘When the Boss is Wrong’)
Some one made a cynical and uncharitable remark that for one half of us intellectual effort is painful – and for the other half, impossible. The eminently readable “Making People Pay” by Sibichen Mathew indicates that great intellectual effort is still enjoyable for men of Mathew’s genre. We thank God for such gifted men who think deeply and passionately on the implications of the role of the Government in one of its important departments.
The approach of Sibichen K Mathew in dissecting the compliance issues with an interdisciplinary perspective is not only unique in this area of study but also academically enriching. I found the chapter ‘Economics of Taxation’ particularly interesting, as the author has examined the theme from both the angles of ‘economics as a process’ and ‘economics as a discipline’
After reading the book, the reader gets ample evidence of why he should contribute to the exchequer. Similarly, the govt. officials are made aware of their responsibilities of accounting and managing the public wealth. The underlying purpose of taxation is after all is to bring about a social state viz. reduce economic disparity and harmonize earnings potential of the public. It is therefore highly recommended for each and every conscious citizen to read the book. This will not only enhance his knowledge on taxation but also change his point of view towards the tax regime.
Anyone having some experience in an organization and worked in different offices would have come across almost all types of bosses delineated in the book ‘When the Boss is Wrong’). Angularities, Idiosyncrasies, character disorders, narrow-mindedness, sometimes sheer cussedness of the bosses would become talking point among subordinates. In the intermediate levels, Boss and Subordinates are relative terms – one may be a Boss and at the same time subordinate to another. The book holds a mirror to our face to see what we really are and is prescriptive for making corrections.
For fairly good time I have been looking forward to speak to you and congratulate you for the book ‘Making People Pay’ written by you. I find it quite informative and interesting as well. You deserve all the praise for having successfully endeavored it and it is highly creditable having achieved it at such a young age. Some others who read portions of it have also liked it. My son who is a CA and is working with KPMG in the Gulf has also liked it much. He has inquired if you have a soft copy of it which can be e mailed. With great effort I could locate your email ID at the end of the book which was not very prominently written. Had you mentioned your contact details i.e. Phone No., email ID etc. at some prominent place, I am sure you would have got much more encouraging words of feedback.
The author covers the often reported “Horrible Bosses” scenarios, where the boss is a bully or completely uninterested in his current job and takes every opportunity to wiggle out of a difficult situation. Then there are bosses who like to parade achievements of the team members as their own to earn some brownie points from their bosses.The author has managed to stress the negative traits in every employee and the role organizations must play in this. The most damaging impact of all this negativity is loss of productivity. When The Boss is Wrong is a book I would like to see in every organization’s library or strewn across lounges and coffee tables.
I have enjoyed reading the book. This is a wide-ranging, scholarly, yet very readable volume focused on intriguing question of why (or why not) do people pay taxes. While much of the book centers on the income tax system in present day India, Mathew’s research includes, as well, experiences drawn from other times and other countries thus making clear that the tendency of trying to evade the tax collector is universal in time and space. Since the success of an income tax system (indeed, of any tax) relies as heavily on its administration as on its structure, anyone interested in direct taxation, particularly income taxation in India (and other developing countries), is likely to find this work highly valuable.
We have all experienced it at one time or another: an unethical boss, messiah boss, a jealous boss, a boss who makes poor decisions that continue to baffle you. The book talks about the secret behind successful leadership narrating the wrongs of bosses in the making and unmaking of an organisation, the role played by a boss is crucial. Technology lags between generations within the organisation has been rightly highlighted in the book .This book is simply practical and linked to real life. Even I have the similar experience with some bosses whom I had interacted. The book was really interesting and connected to our day to day life.
Making People Pay by Dr. Sibichen K. Mathew is a comprehensive analysis of attitudes and behaviours relating to tax compliance and tax evasion. The analysis is at once interdisciplinary, theoretical and empirical as well as micro and macro in its approach. This pioneering study deserves to be read by all citizens, particularly policy makers and implementers, social scientists and tax payers; even by tax evaders as it holds a moral mirror unto them.
‘When the Boss is wrong’ is an excellent book on ‘Management’ which explains the attitudes of different types of bosses. The presentation made inside the book by Dr. Sibichen K. Mathew shows that the book has been written after a thorough research by the author. Hats off to Dr. Sibichen K. Mathew. I wish that in future too many more such excellent books may be published by him which are essential for the practical application of ‘Management’ in most of the business firms.
My dear Sibichen, I avoided the temptation to write to you before reading all the chapters of your book. I am with my daughter at Philadelphia for some weeks now, so i could read the book.The book is unique. Unique because it is exhaustive; many facets of taxation are expertly dealt based on vast and deep knowledge; Also unique in presentation and language and in giving historical perspective.It is based on field studies- giving unique flavour to the desserts in chapters 8 and 9. I am really proud that the author is from the IRS. My hearty congratulations on the excellent authorship
The book is not wrong about when the boss is wrong. Sibichen expresses what he wants to in quite simple style, but retaining an emphatic undertone as well. He talks about the characteristics that make a bad boss, but also, in a way, emphasizes how the boss can change, or what the characteristics of a good boss could be. I wouldn’t say it was a favorite read, but it was definitely an engaging and interesting book. It would appeal to a lot of people.
Dear Sibichen, I am going through your book and thought that I’d drop you a line to express my admiration and amazement at your grasp over the complex socio-psychological determinants and impulses of our taxation system. It is truly a unique attempt to bring into one book so many different aspects and dimensions of the issue. Your broad approach to, and huge, all-encompassing perspective on, the subject are fascinating. At the same time, you have infused some of your characteristic humour and lightness at places, so that the reading does not become too heavy..
Dr. Sibichen K. Mathew has done a lot of research behind the psyche of a number of bosses and their subordinates in penning “When the boss is wrong”. The book has been written in quite simple style and narrative through a large number of anecdotes. This is an engaging and an interesting book. A must read for bosses as well as would be bosses in today’s corporate world.
Any book talking about ‘Taxes’ is considered to be very ‘dry’ and non-palatable for the general reader. I bought a copy of the book on the day it was released by the Governor of Karanataka State. Let me tell you, without any exaggeration. The moment I reached home, I started reading the book. Believe me, I spent the entire night reading the book. I used to burn the midnight oil, only to read detective novels so far.
My name is Saikrishna, a fresh entrant into the Indian Revenue Service. I had an opportunity to listen to your lecture at NADT and finally could read your amazing book “Making People Pay: The economic sociology of taxation “. I feel very happy after reading the book sir. It gave me a whole new perspective on taxation and importance of it.
I love the way it is written. It is simple and easy to understand by anyone. The illustrations and the anecdotes that the author shares are far beyond interesting. Excellent amount of research done by the author and this book will help bosses and the subordinates in equal measure. Happy reading Boss!
“Sibichen, after listening to the PM today about post-demonetization secenario, I am convinced that your book “Making People Pay” had some great points to say about the need to have civic pride in paying taxes! Your book had pre-stated what today people are compelled to see as a virtue” (Received through SMS)
‘When the Boss is Wrong’ is one of the best books I have read recently. Sibichen very carefully highlights the nuances of being a good boss, with ample illustrations and every day examples, that one can relate to very easily. A seamless and interesting read, Sibichen has ensured relevance of content and practical take-aways till the last page of the book. A must read for all bosses and employees.
A wonderfully well researched and thought provoking look at bosses and bossism. Replete with stories of real world bosses – their idiosyncrasies coupled with management research on effective leadership. Amusing, engaging and insightful, this book is a must read for anyone who is or has a boss.
Coming from a sociologist and policy researcher, this book throws light on the psychology behind the perspectives of leadership through Sigmund Freud’s and Carl Jung’s theories. It offers insights on understanding the dynamics of leadership in an organization. With data consisting of anecdotes and interviews with employees, managers and CEOs of various organizations, the author offers tips on how one can become a successful leader.
Congratulations. Your book “ When the Boss is Wrong “ is really very good. Recently I bought it from Hyderabad airport. It was really interesting and connecting with the readers. I felt somewhere we all will connect to the characters you used as examples . I decided to gift the book to some of my senior and middle managers so that they can get some idea and do corrective action in their day to day approach. Once again congratulations for writing such a good book.
Good afternoon Sibichen!! I have just finished reading the book “when the boss is wrong”. I must appreciate the insights you have provided in this book! Though we really can’t change our bosses but this book is a wholesome guide to “how to become a reasonable boss” and how to maintain our confidence in situations when our boss behaves awkward!! I could relate many of the things/facts narrated to the situations I faced! I really admire your optimism for the government institutions but I feel there has to be some institutional reforms brought about to create a nurturing working culture than a regressive one as is existing!!
"Dear Sibichen, I have read "Snehakoodu". It makes very interesting and compelling reading . I couldn't control my laughter many times while voraciously reading the stories !. The book brought back memories of childhood both sweet and sour. Scenes came running in to my mind frame by frame as if in celluloid.The lucidity of your writing and the simplicity of your language deserve special accolades. I am extremely proud of you and our association. Looking forward to more and more such marvels from your literary stable!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 The climax was so touching and tears welled up in my eyes. I found it difficult to rein in my emotions!"