Life is a long race with many twists and turns — most of which take us by surprise!

Why do so many of us make such a poor job of navigating the increasing complexity of the modern world? Why do we behave and respond as we do? How can we train ourselves to understand ourselves better, to be more adaptive and to stay in front of events and help shape their outcomes rather than to be dragged along by life and shaped by it? These are skills that can be taught and learned. We all need help and guidance to acquire these skills no matter what our background is and how much experience we have accumulated to date. There is always something new to learn and there are always areas of personal performance to improve.

I know of no better guide to life’s challenges and to their solutions than Binod — successful entrepreneur, coach, mentor, volunteer and podcast star! He has lived many lives in many different cultures. This easy-to-read book distils all of his knowledge and experience garnered via research and in person conversations with hundreds of leading executives worldwide. Binod is a straight shooter! He tells it like it is from page 1. Nothing but the unvarnished truth.

There is so much good advice in this book that it seems invidious to single out specific items. But, for me, the two chapters that stood out were 7 and 11. Throughout my career I have advocated for my colleagues to be curious – how can you lead a successful business life unless you are interested (without judgment) in those around you? How can you satisfy that curiosity unless you have read (and travelled) widely to better understand the way the world works and why it works as it does? Many of us are defeated in business by the narrowness of our outlook and experience. If you want to get to the top, then get your head up and look around you.

I would also urge you to pay particular attention to the Coaching Tips towards the end of each chapter. They are an invaluable aid in gauging your own development and plotting your own path to self-improvement and hence to success.

Be your own person, have your own views and values, make your own goals in life and pursue them with energy and, above all else, with enjoyment! It’s the journey that counts and then, just maybe, the destination will be well worth the trip.

Paul Smith

Ex President and CEO, CFA Institute