Young shining talents in their early twenties rarely end up in management. Much more often they work enthusiastically around the clock, making their employers richer and managers happier. And then suddenly some of them go on to establish their own companies, and a few short years later the entire world begins wowing in astonishment, while the ambitious managers in their thirties desperately try landing a job at one of these hot new startups.

There are so many people in this world who were taught they need a career, but never told why. They spend their lives chasing after the next promotion, but if you ask them why they want it so badly they would have a hard time answering, because they have no clue. And so they live these empty meaningless lives without even knowing they are empty. They just wonder sometimes why there’s no happiness and what’s missing. They don’t understand that without knowing the why you can’t be happy. You can be wildly successful, whatever this means, but not happy.

‘Had this Nick,’ Michael lifted the book, “somehow gotten into your company he would’ve became your CEO in a blink of an eye. Or even better, a trusted advisor to your CEO. Same for my company.”
He opened the book on a random page and read in a sing-song voice:
“ … And the first opinion which one forms of a prince, and of his understanding, is by observing the men he has around him; and when they are capable and faithful he may always be considered wise, because he has known how to recognize the capable and to keep them faithful …”
He put the book down and smiled at Joan.
“Now try and recall what you thought of your management last time they promoted yet another moron. Or when they didn’t promote you.