Right Choice, The Hardcover – 15 February 2021

In life we come across many dilemmas, and we do not have answers for it. The author is not an exception to it. However, he is a high-level thinker. He has found answers to some of our important dilemmas through suitable research, interviews with the who's who of the industries, and his own experiences from his illustrious career. He has answered to the following 10 dilemmas which we face in our career by quoting anecdotes and his experiences.:1) Is money the most important variable in a career?People switch jobs for small gains forgetting the brand and culture. Take a wholistic picture before making a change.2) Should I do a second MBA or enhance my qualification?In a world, where many changes and disruptions are happening, we need to improve our skillset. There are many areas which we need to develop. Before deciding on the course, please do a due diligence on the course, institute, and the faculty whether it is worth.3) Couples living apart at two places.It is a tough decision. People do for career building. Affordable housing, air fares, digital calling are helpful. You also need the parental support, and mental toughness.4) While working elsewhere whether re-joining a previous organization is worth?Companies encourage ex-employees to come back. If you get an opportunity to come back, please re-join with a positive frame of mind, and work as if you never left the company.5) Should I take a sabbatical?People take sabbatical for shorter durations. You may go for it provided you are financially well off. If the company has policy, no issues. If it doesn’t have, you are at a risk of getting similar jobs.6)Switching industries in a CareerIf you are running and trekking, you reach to a target, and look for another. Switching industry may become another goal of your life. Get as much knowledge about the new industry, its ecosystem, and their people. Lots of info is available on the internet. Get in touch with your friends, acquire knowledge, and take decisions.7) Should I take an overseas job?Indians are the globetrotting managers. You will find the Indian diaspora everywhere. Please understand that the business rules, laws differ from country to country. The work ethics will also change. While in India it is relationship which matters, in USA, it is the process. You may not require to follow up, once agreed in the USA, unlike India. The work culture, the power of aggression may differ from country to country. Once you are out of country, please be in touch with your head hunters, lest they forget you. If you are going on a permanent basis, please do your due diligence well.8) Should I turn entrepreneur?Come out of your current status where you direct, dictate, and decide. Get into the entrepreneur shoes, make friends, visit markets, talk to people, get insights. Find investors if you so require, and check whether they will support you in your timelines and vision.9) To join or not to join a board?Every Chairman wants to look for a like-minded director. Please research the company, other board members, governance levels and underlying issues before joining a board. Go prepared for the board meeting by reading through the board deck. Woman on board is essential to bring in greater diversity. Invest in relationship, and know your fellow members.10) Dilemma of a CEOExecution is more heroic than a systematic orchestration, invest more in future and technology, manage agility, have time for reflection so that you add values, reputation is important. Warren Buffet said that we can lose money but not reputation. CEO has a bigger role. He should invest his time in employees, team building, other stakeholders, business strategies and its heroic execution. Good leaders connect people, they are good facilitators, listen more, and speak less. The author says that life is not a bed of roses. Keep your hard work, but be intelligent in taking your next moves. Overall, I rate this book as OUTSTANDING. I had the courage to earn degrees, and certifications during the peak of my career, my wife, and I living in two cities, changing departments, switching industries from FMCG to Renewables, it was challenging, but doable. Please follow the above guidelines.

All our dilemmas in career various points are discussed with life examples of senior leaders of industry . My sincerest gratitude to Shiv Shivkumar sir for thinking to cover this topic which is unique and so relevant for every one passing through challenges of career and life .

What I liked* Unique format in which 10 career dilemmas faced by professionals are discussed.Dilemmas include:1) Is money the most important variable in a career?2) Should I do a Second MBA?3) Living Apart4) Re-joining an organization you had quit earlier5) Switching Industries in a career6) Should I take a Sabbatical?7) Taking up an overseas job8) Should I turn an Entrepreneur?9) To join or not join a board10) Dilemma of a CEO* Perspective from seasoned executives who have made different choices for each dilemma.* Shiv adding his learnings and insights on each dilemma as a takeaway from each chapter* The book does not prescribe "The right choice" for each dilemma, but helps you navigate the journey from dilemma to decisionSome decisions we take are reversible and some are not. For example, if you decide to not do a second MBA, you can revisit it at a later point in time. If the perspective of executives who have made a choice, and after a period of time, revisited it to make the opposite choice is added it would be great. A suggestion for the next edition of this book

As young professionals, the dilemmas we face as we progress through our career are many. Shiv’s book “The Right Choice” covers most of the dilemmas that we may face during our Career.I received my pre-ordered book "The right choice" from Amazon right on time. Reading it was a breeze. The dilemmas are very well explained. I got a sense of a few of my own queries like “how long one should stick to a company”, “how do we switch functions” and so on.What I liked most about the book are the structure and the flow. Every Chapter has a typical Shiv style of Summary/Key takeaways. Those who have attended Shiv’s sessions would be able to relate to what I am talking about. Moreover, hearing the dilemmas explained by the Industry Stalwarts and Industry leaders further reinforces the thoughts. How they have navigated through various hurdles and achieve what they have today.There are clear actions outlined for young professionals like us.One of the excerpts from the book really made me ponder. What is it that drives me? Why do I wish to climb the ladder as early and fast as possible? Is it the position of authority, the lifestyle or is it the work itself? This is just one of the many examples in the book.Would definitely recommend this book!

There is a lot to learn in this book about the dilemma you are facing and the dilemmas you will face ahead. It certainly gives a lot of clarity and cues to have more awareness while we make our own decisions

Biswajit duttaEditThe Right Choice: Resolving 10 Career Dilemmas for Extraordinary SuccessSubmittedClearselect to rate item one star.select to rate item two star.select to rate item three star.select to rate item four star.select to rate item five star.Add a photo or videoShoppers find images and videos more helpful than text alone.Add a written reviewWhat did you like or dislike? What did you use this product for?Please enter your review.Add a titleSum up your review in one lineFor professionals who need career adviceSubmit

An excellent reference book for professionals, junior analyst to CEO. It was an easy, and a quick, read. The author, Shiv Shivakumar, covers a broad spectrum of career dilemmas professionals face during their work life. Especially in countries like India, where mentoring is not easily accessible to many working professionals, this book can be a tremendous asset, and a reference guide.

A book that I managed to complete in a single sitting speaks volumes of its lucidity and engagement quotient. It does make the reader reflect.

A simply fantastic book that actually works as a wellness guide. In today's fast paced work life, a lot of the dilemmas that the author talks about, form key components of stress and mental health issues. By providing first hand clarity from his own experience and through examples of others in the book, professionals across tenure get a "mentor" like narrative which is a great fast start to making the Right Choice for themselves.