REVIEW BUKU #30: Self-Driving

Title: Self-Driving: From Passenger to Driver in Life and Career

Author: Rhenald Kasali

Introduction

In a world defined by rapid change, uncertainty, and relentless competition, one fundamental question determines a person’s future: Are you a driver or merely a passenger in your own life?This is the core question explored in Self Driving, a powerful and reflective book by Rhenald Kasali, one of Indonesia’s most influential thinkers in management, leadership, and change.

Rather than offering abstract theories, Self Driving challenges readers to examine their mindset, behavior, and responsibility toward their own lives. The book argues that success—both personal and professional—is not a matter of talent or luck alone, but the result of a conscious decision to take control, initiate action, and persist despite uncertainty.

This article provides a comprehensive review of Self Driving, expanding its key ideas and insights while connecting them to real-life applications. More importantly, it serves as a wake-up call for anyone who feels stuck, reactive, or dependent on circumstances.

About the Author: Rhenald Kasali

Rhenald Kasali is a Professor of Management at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and has long been recognized as a thought leader in organizational change, entrepreneurship, and strategic leadership.

Beyond academia, Kasali is a prolific writer whose books consistently become bestsellers and reference points within Indonesia’s business and professional communities. On July 4, 2009, he was officially inaugurated as a Professor of Management at Universitas Indonesia, further solidifying his authority in the field.

What distinguishes Rhenald Kasali is his ability to translate complex management concepts into practical life lessons—making his work accessible not only to executives and entrepreneurs, but also to students and everyday professionals.

What Is Self Driving About?

The book opens with a personal story. Rhenald Kasali recounts a pivotal moment when he received an offer to lead a university. Rather than relying solely on his experience, he chose to return to an American campus to learn anew. This decision reflects the essence of the driver mindset: humility, initiative, and readiness to grow.

Kasali introduces the metaphor of drivers and passengers to describe how people navigate life:

• Drivers take initiative, set direction, and assume responsibility.

• Passengers wait, follow, and rely on others to determine their path.

Modern organizations and industries increasingly demand individuals who think and act like drivers—people who are competent, agile, and proactive. Yet paradoxically, many educational and social systems unintentionally produce passengers: individuals who excel at following instructions but hesitate to take ownership.

The book calls for a mental transformation—a shift from passenger to driver.

Overview of the Book’s Main Themes

Broadly, Self Driving is structured around helping readers recognize their current mindset and guiding them toward becoming drivers of their own lives. The book explores four central pillars:

1. Life as a Mandate

2. Self-Discipline

3. Risk-Taking

4. Growth Mindset

Each section builds upon the previous one, forming a coherent roadmap toward personal leadership.

Part 1: Life as a Mandate

Kasali begins with a profound concept: life is a mandate.

Every human being is entrusted with life—not merely to exist, but to manage, explore, and develop it. In childhood, this mandate is temporarily held by parents or guardians. They make decisions on our behalf to ensure safety and growth.

However, adulthood demands a transfer of responsibility. The mandate must return to its rightful owner: ourselves.

Drivers vs. Mandate Keepers

According to Kasali, people respond to this mandate in two distinct ways:

• Drivers use their mandate to grow, create, and contribute.

• Passengers keep the mandate “in their pocket,” treating it as a private document rather than a call to action.

Those who hide their mandate often feel powerless. They blame circumstances, authority figures, or systems for their dissatisfaction. Over time, this leads to stress, frustration, and a sense of helplessness.

Becoming a driver begins with one realization:“My life is my responsibility.”

Part 2: Self-Discipline as the Foundation

If responsibility is the starting point, self-discipline is the engine.

Kasali reframes discipline not as rigid routine, but as commitment. True discipline is the ability to stay committed even when circumstances change, motivation fades, or comfort disappears.

Three Types of Discipline

The book identifies three forms of discipline:

Type of Discipline	Description	Outcome
Forced Discipline	Driven by fear, rules, or punishment	Temporary compliance
Self-Discipline	Driven by internal commitment	Sustainable growth
Indiscipline	Lack of structure or commitment	Stagnation

Drivers rely on self-discipline, not external pressure. They act because they have chosen a direction—not because someone is watching.

In a volatile world, discipline anchored in commitment allows drivers to remain steady amid chaos.

Part 3: Taking Risks

Drivers move forward. And movement always involves risk.

Kasali emphasizes that initiative inevitably exposes individuals to uncertainty, mistakes, and failure. There is no such thing as a driver who has never failed.

In fact, he offers a striking observation:People who have never made mistakes may simply be people who have never truly done anything.

Risk as a Price of Leadership

Drivers accept risk as the cost of progress. They understand that:

• Playing safe often means standing still.

• Avoiding mistakes limits learning.

• Fear of failure creates passengers.

What separates drivers from passengers is not fearlessness, but courage to act despite fear.

Part 4: Growth Mindset

Kasali connects his ideas to Carol Dweck’s concept of growth mindset, popularized in her book Mindset.

Dweck’s research shows that individuals who experience early ease and success often develop a fixed mindset—the belief that ability is static and life should be easy.

The Danger of Fixed Mindset

People with a fixed mindset tend to:

• Avoid challenges

• Fear failure

• Undervalue effort

• Give up easily

In contrast, a growth mindset views effort, struggle, and failure as essential parts of learning.

Kasali argues that great innovators and achievers are not defined by high IQ, but by:

• Persistence

• Discipline

• Mental resilience

These qualities are the hallmarks of drivers.

Real-Life Relevance and Practical Application

Self Driving resonates strongly in modern professional life:

• In organizations, drivers become leaders and change agents.

• In careers, drivers continuously upgrade their skills.

• In personal life, drivers shape their own values and direction.

The book is especially relevant for:

• Students transitioning into adulthood

• Professionals feeling stuck or disengaged

• Leaders navigating uncertainty

• Anyone seeking personal growth

Conclusion

Self Driving is not merely a motivational book—it is a mirror.

Rhenald Kasali invites readers to examine whether they are actively steering their lives or passively riding along. The book’s message is clear: the quality of our lives depends on our willingness to take responsibility, build discipline, embrace risk, and continuously grow.

For anyone seeking meaningful growth in character, career, and life direction, Self Driving offers both inspiration and practical wisdom.

Ultimately, success is not about where you sit—but whether you are holding the steering wheel.