Author Premal Patel brings YANGA Unplugged to India, sharing insights on resilience, roots, and action for purposeful leadership and growth.
Premal Patel
The author of the internationally acclaimed book shares why India was always the natural next step, the meaning behind YANGA, and how resilience, roots, and action form the heart of his philosophy.
With YANGA Unplugged already receiving acclaim across the UK, Europe, the US, and the Middle East, Premal Patel now brings his inspiring blend of storytelling, ancestral wisdom, and practical leadership tools to Indian readers. In this conversation, he opens up about the personal experiences that shaped the book, why its themes are deeply relevant to India, and the one message he hopes readers will carry forward.
Q1. YANGA Unplugged has already received international success. Why bring it to India now?
The book has received appreciation in the UK, parts of Europe, the US, and the Middle East and, for that, I feel very honoured. Nevertheless, India has always felt like the logical next step. The themes in YANGA Unplugged-family wisdom, resilience, and the idea of remaining rooted while moving forward-are part of the cultural fabric in India. I wish to provide readers not just stories, but practical tools and reflections to help them halt, reconnect, and act with intention.
Q 2. The title itself is intriguing. What does “YANGA” mean?
YANGA is a word I came across in West Africa. It signifies resilience, self-belief, confidence, and a highly assertive and positive disposition. I wanted a word that encompassed all these traits. I subsequently framed it as Your Actions Nourish Growth Ambitions. This is the essence of the book-your actions matter because the world rewards those who act, not those who sit back.
Q3. Your personal story seems to shape much of the book. Could you share some of that journey?
My father died in a car accident when I was only 10 months old. Even that early in life, it was a loss that reverberated throughout the rest of my life. My grandfather retired early from Africa, brought us to the UK, and built a life for us. My mother was 22, widowed, and became a mother and father at the same time. Their values, and the resilience and sacrifice each made, profoundly shaped the individual I became. I also faced bullying at school, the challenges of being a first-generation immigrant, and, over the years, built a successful corporate career that spanned three continents. I started in banking and moved on to work at Visa, American Express, and Sainsbury's, leading large teams in the Middle East and UK. Throughout my corporate journey, I earned the label of “corporate connector.” and someone who builds connections across diverse cultures and people.
Q4. In a crowded self-help and leadership space, what makes YANGA Unplugged different?
YANGA Unplugged embodies a practical application of leadership it highlights what works in reality. It offers a rendition of my life in the form of stories that do not leave out the bad or the failed choices, and I believe the honesty is what resonates. It is also the only book that I know of that engages wisdom of the ancestors, and preference of modern leaders, to distil leadership insights and practical tools for people’s use in today's fast-paced world. I vividly recall my stories of the importance of writing your plans down. I describe the importance of energy budgeting just the way you do your money budgeting. You will gain the clarity that you seek not from thinking, but from action.
Q5. Why do you believe the book will resonate with Indian readers in particular?
It touches upon deeply ingrained values-family, roots, resilience, and ambition. It doesn’t matter if you are a young entrepreneur, a mid-career professional at a crossroads, or a person who feels stuck, you will see yourself reflected in these pages. There is also a growing interest in India for purpose-driven literature that combines self-help and cultural insight. YANGA Unplugged is positioned perfectly at that intersection.
Q6. If you had to leave Indian readers with one key message from YANGA Unplugged, what would it be?
This book is more than my story, it is an invitation. Don’t put things off until tomorrow. Don’t think too much. Get started. The world favors the doers. Even negative experiences can lead to personal growth. It is always the right time to begin something new. I’m 56 and still beginning a new chapter in my life.
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