We were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. C.K. Prahalad on Friday. C.K. was an intellectual giant in the corporate strategy arena who, nevertheless, focused much of his work on the “bottom of the pyramid.” He was also kind, generous, and modest. In the Art and Practice of Leadership Coaching, he said:

I have likened my role as [strategy] coach to the drop of water on the lily leaf. The water droplet has a distinct identity, and at the same time it is part of the leaf. A strategy coach must be self-aware enough that he or she can maintain a distinct identity while fully engaged at an intellectual level. The coach succeeds by seeing the client succeed while never putting his or her personality ahead of the players.

Our thoughts and condolences are with his family. His life and work should be celebrated.

World-renowned management thinker Dr. Coimbatore Krishnarao (CK) Prahalad passed away on April 16, 2010 in San Diego, CA.  He was 68.  Prahalad was Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy and taught at the University of Michigan since 1977.  A prolific author, Prahalad contributed to fundamental business concepts such as strategic intent, core competence, and co-creation arising from his work with multinational companies.  His most ambitious work, the Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, outlined a model for large firms to engage with the poor.  The recipient of many honors and awards, Prahalad’s most recent accolades included a 2009 Padma Bhushan, one of India’ highest civilian honors, and he was voted the world’s leading Management Thinker by Thinkers50 in 2009.  He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Gayatri, his children, Murali Krishna and Deepa, their spouses and three grandchildren.  Communications are welcome at prahalad.family@gmail.com