Dear Younger Me: - by David C Bentall (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Most business leaders eventually discover that their education, leadership skills and years of hard work do little to prepare them for leading through the realities of a family business and the critical challenges encountered, that if not harnessed, can tear a family business apart. After a great amount of study and reflection, David Bentall came to see that he was ill equipped to be a part of the solution for his own family business because he lacked many of the qualities needed if he was going to make a positive contribution, so he set out to identify the changes he needed.In Dear Younger Me David explores the nine most important character traits that he wished he had been wise enough to develop when he was a young executive. These traits present practical guidance and advice for cultivating emotional intelligence and personal character, and transforming leadership through HUMILITY, CURIOSITY, LISTENING, EMPATHY, FORGIVENESS, GRATITUDE, CRITICAL THINKING, PATIENCE and CONTENTMENT. David believes that each trait is necessary for successors to develop the skills and relationships required to successfully lead any family enterprise.

Review Quotes

"David is a master storyteller. He offers us wisdom that will provoke growth and change "from the inside out". This book is a must read for every learning family!

Olivier de Richoufftz, -General Secretary, Family Enterprise Foundation

"Dear Younger Me is more than an inspired reflection on life, learning and success. It is a guidebook for a life path filled with discovery, connection and growth. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to find their own path.

John A. Davis, -Founder and Chairman, Cambridge Family Enterprise Group

I loved reading this book! With humility, grace, and courage, David has written Dear Younger Me as a distillation of wisdom and practice addressed to his younger self and by extension to all successors and their families, friends, and advisors. I know David as a teacher, speaker, storyteller, collaborator, and friend, and I greatly admire and respect his commitment to living his best life and helping others to do the same. There's been a gap in family enterprise literature-we've been waiting for a book like this!

Michelle Osry

Vice-chair, Family Enterprise Exchange

"David has learned a lot about real life, both through his experience as a family enterprise executive and as a successor. "Dear Younger Me", includes everything you need to know to set you on the road to success."

Jimmy Pattison, Founder & Chair, The Jim Pattison Group

David provides life-changing wisdom for the emerging generation AND their mentors. If you want to make a career impact in your family firm, David provides the well-lit pathway.

Steve McClure, PhD

Chairman, The Family Business Consulting Group