Interview with R Manoj Kumar, Author of The Power of More

R. Manoj Kumar discusses grit, grace, resilience and the extraordinary stories of frontline workers behind The Power of More.
on Sep 14, 2026

Frontlist: With fifty stories in one book, how did you decide which tales made the final cut and which didn't?

Manoj: This was intended to be a collection of 100 stories – 50 of frontline workers and 50 from leaders/ business owners that facilitated these frontliners to do well – It is when opportunity meets brilliance that Magic happens. When the interviews got delayed, I decided to launch it with 50 stories of frontline personnel.

Frontlist: Is there one story in the book that changed the way you personally think about "grit"?

Manoj: Ramesh featured in Chapters 15 and 16 for me embodies grit- he was differently abled and did not have it easy to get many things that are taken for granted by us. His sheer grit made him create opportunities for himself.

Frontlist: "Grit" and "grace" are often seen as opposites - toughness versus gentleness. Why did you want to bring them together in one title?

Manoj: Most frontline staff are from economically disadvantaged sections of society, most of them tend to withdraw into their shells and carry on with their lives. It is a few determined people who come out of their self-imposed shell when an opportunity presents itself – when they do it, their grit (fierce determination and will power to succeed then takes over) but they do it by sticking to what is expected from them individually and add flair and make it “extra” ordinary – and that to me is grace.

Frontlist: How did you find these fifty individuals - were they people you already knew, or did you go looking for their stories specifically for this book?

Manoj: All of them are drawn from my career and my travels as part of my job. I look for individuals with specific characteristics that help them stand out from the crowd.

Frontlist: Was there a story you desperately wanted to include but couldn't, for any reason?

Manoj: No. All of them would have just walked in exactly that sequence and manner on their own merit.

Frontlist: What's the difference, in your view, between someone who's simply hardworking and someone who has real "grit"?

Manoj: Hardworking is in my view a “sincere” effort to please their boss / manager. Whereas grit comes from a place of wanting to do well for themselves and thereby lifts everyone around them.

Frontlist: Did writing this book change any of your own habits or how you approach setbacks in your own life?

Manoj: No- Not directly, but these are traits that I had developed earlier on, thanks to my mentors. My career as a trainer needed more such “live” examples that influenced and brought about inspirational change in the audience. – These are habits that I feel will help a determined person to succeed.

Frontlist: Many books on resilience use case studies from the corporate or sports world. What made you choose "ordinary" people going the extra mile instead?

Manoj: Sport and Corporate rely on overcoming competitors to “win” for themselves. The journey of “ordinary’ people come from a space of wanting to change the realms and bring about change not just with them, but in the entire eco system that they operate out of.

Frontlist: If a reader could only take away one lesson from all fifty stories combined, what would you want it to be?

Manoj: That everyone has the power to adopt a very small change within themselves that will help the world change the way the view the trade they represent and the image it has – it could be a tiny example from any of the 50 characters stories that act as the spark of change. Do MORE, Do Well would be it in short.

Frontlist: Are you already collecting stories for a possible sequel, or does fifty feel like a complete, closed set to you?

Manoj: Yes, I am collecting stories and am working on the sequel with 50 interviews of leaders who made MORE possible – I am calling it BEING extra ORDINARY. I am also working on another collection of 50 stories to impress readers about the attributes that help people succeed in life – Smile | Curiosity | Observation | Resilience and Empathy 5 characteristics or traits or behaviour that will create a significant impact on whatever one does and lends you the super “edge”.

The encouraging feedback is egging me on for MORE