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Howard's Gift: Uncommon Wisdom to Inspire Your Life's Work
An iconic teacher. A warm friend. A generous mentor.
For more than 40 years, Howard Stevenson has been a towering figure at Harvard Business School: the man who literally defined entrepreneurship and taught thousands of the world’s most successful professionals.
Now – spurred by Stevenson’s heart-stopping brush with death – his student, colleague, and dear friend Eric Sinoway shares the man’s wisdom and inspiration. Through warm and engaging conversations, we hear Howard’s timeless and practical lessons on pursuing both success and fulfillment, beginning with:
• Create a vision of your own legacy through a process called “business planning for life.”
• Be entrepreneurial in driving your career ahead (even if you’re not an entrepreneur).
• Exploit the inflection points in your life – whether “friend,” “foe,” or “silent.”
• Cut risk in tough career and life decisions by shining the “light of predictability” on them.
• Plan for the ripples, not just the splash from your actions and choices.
Reading Howard’s Gift is like having a wise, caring friend sit down and say, “Let’s figure all this out together.”
And the deeply personal perspectives from guest contributors – such as CNN correspondent Soledad O’Brien, Teach for America Founder Wendy Kopp, two-time Super Bowl Champion Carl Banks, and legendary MTV Founder Bob Pittman – reinforce the practical lessons in this clear-sighted book that will help readers “define success in their own terms,” and “live a life with no regrets.”
For more than 40 years, Howard Stevenson has been a towering figure at Harvard Business School: the man who literally defined entrepreneurship and taught thousands of the world’s most successful professionals.
Now – spurred by Stevenson’s heart-stopping brush with death – his student, colleague, and dear friend Eric Sinoway shares the man’s wisdom and inspiration. Through warm and engaging conversations, we hear Howard’s timeless and practical lessons on pursuing both success and fulfillment, beginning with:
• Create a vision of your own legacy through a process called “business planning for life.”
• Be entrepreneurial in driving your career ahead (even if you’re not an entrepreneur).
• Exploit the inflection points in your life – whether “friend,” “foe,” or “silent.”
• Cut risk in tough career and life decisions by shining the “light of predictability” on them.
• Plan for the ripples, not just the splash from your actions and choices.
Reading Howard’s Gift is like having a wise, caring friend sit down and say, “Let’s figure all this out together.”
And the deeply personal perspectives from guest contributors – such as CNN correspondent Soledad O’Brien, Teach for America Founder Wendy Kopp, two-time Super Bowl Champion Carl Banks, and legendary MTV Founder Bob Pittman – reinforce the practical lessons in this clear-sighted book that will help readers “define success in their own terms,” and “live a life with no regrets.”
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2012
77 people are currently reading
642 people want to read
About the author
Eric C. Sinoway
1 book10 followersI am the President & Co-Founder of Axcess Worldwide, a partnership development company that creates inspired ideas and connects extraordinary brands and people. As an entrepreneur, I am involved in interesting and challenging projects. I am the author of Howard’s Gift: Uncommon Wisdom to Inspire Your Life’s Work, a book I wrote in cooperation with iconic Harvard Business School professor, Howard H. Stevenson, which was released by St. Martin’s Press in October, 2012. Howard’s Gift is an Amazon Best Seller, and has been translated into Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese.
My professional experience has entailed leadership positions in the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. I have had the privilege of working with some of the world’s leading organizations and most accomplished individuals. I am honored to have been featured on CNN, Talk Radio nationwide, and in USA Today, Fortune Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and a wide variety of other publications worldwide.
Earlier in my career, I led the successful sponsorship program at Cendant, a Fortune 500 company; and I helped Joie de Vivre Hotels conceive a highly regarded development that earned features in USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
Before co-founding Axcess Worldwide with my long-time business partner Kirk Posmantur, I was a senior development officer at Harvard University, where I was a catalyst for a series of large philanthropic gifts from individuals, governments, and organizations worldwide. These accomplishments at Harvard built on experience with other highly visible non-profit organizations. I previously played a leading role in the development of After-School All-Stars – the program founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger to provide after-school programs in 12 U.S. cities. Later, collaborating with entrepreneur and philanthropist, Todd Wagner (who co-founded broadcast.com with Mark Cuban), I helped conceive and lead a national after-school technology initiative called MIRACLES.
I earned my undergraduate degree at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration and my master’s at Harvard’s Kennedy School.
My professional experience has entailed leadership positions in the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. I have had the privilege of working with some of the world’s leading organizations and most accomplished individuals. I am honored to have been featured on CNN, Talk Radio nationwide, and in USA Today, Fortune Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and a wide variety of other publications worldwide.
Earlier in my career, I led the successful sponsorship program at Cendant, a Fortune 500 company; and I helped Joie de Vivre Hotels conceive a highly regarded development that earned features in USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
Before co-founding Axcess Worldwide with my long-time business partner Kirk Posmantur, I was a senior development officer at Harvard University, where I was a catalyst for a series of large philanthropic gifts from individuals, governments, and organizations worldwide. These accomplishments at Harvard built on experience with other highly visible non-profit organizations. I previously played a leading role in the development of After-School All-Stars – the program founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger to provide after-school programs in 12 U.S. cities. Later, collaborating with entrepreneur and philanthropist, Todd Wagner (who co-founded broadcast.com with Mark Cuban), I helped conceive and lead a national after-school technology initiative called MIRACLES.
I earned my undergraduate degree at Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration and my master’s at Harvard’s Kennedy School.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 6, 2021
“Juggling and balancing effectively required that we make clear, legacy-driven choices about what we're trying to keep in the air and how we sequence our movements down the beam. Because the ultimate grade in life is not based on how far and fast we've walked the beam or how many things we’ve juggled—it’s based on how much we've enjoyed the exercise.”
I first knew about this book from a Youtube video where Howard was lecturing about how to "build a life". It was a long video but it was fascinating and I told myself I had to know more about this guy and his way of thinking. After reading this book, it is honestly one of the best books I've read in a while. Howard's way of thinking and his framework to look at problems is unique. I suppose the title "Uncommon Wisdom" is justified with all the points explained in this book. "Cheating yourself at Solitaire", "Pseudo Three D" and "Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze" are just some metaphors that really stuck with me.
I first knew about this book from a Youtube video where Howard was lecturing about how to "build a life". It was a long video but it was fascinating and I told myself I had to know more about this guy and his way of thinking. After reading this book, it is honestly one of the best books I've read in a while. Howard's way of thinking and his framework to look at problems is unique. I suppose the title "Uncommon Wisdom" is justified with all the points explained in this book. "Cheating yourself at Solitaire", "Pseudo Three D" and "Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze" are just some metaphors that really stuck with me.
November 7, 2012
I received "Howard's Gift" as a Goodreads first reads giveaway. Eric Sinoway proves that IF you have a plan for your life you will be successful. Success is not an accident and Howard Stevenson theories show you how to plan, implement, and be successful. An inspiring read regardless of age.
May 17, 2015
Some of many golden nuggets from Howard Stevenson, the father of entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School:
“Everybody’s outside looks better than your own inside.”
“It’s hard to see the whole chessboard when you’re one of the pieces. That’s why we need others’ views to help us see more clearly.”
“create a legacy vision, a strategic picture of who we want to be and what we’d like our lives to look like when they’re all done.”
“the time and energy involved in broadening contacts returns far less value than the same effort put into deepening key relationships.”
“Over the last year, have you gotten twelve months’ experience or one month’s experience repeated twelve times?”
“We cannot pursue all of our goals simultaneously, nor satisfy all of our desires right away.”
“Accept that everything is fixable and discussable - there are no unsolvable problems.”
“The difference between a company culture that works for you and one that doesn’t is like the difference between just having a job and doing your life’s work.”
“Everybody’s outside looks better than your own inside.”
“It’s hard to see the whole chessboard when you’re one of the pieces. That’s why we need others’ views to help us see more clearly.”
“create a legacy vision, a strategic picture of who we want to be and what we’d like our lives to look like when they’re all done.”
“the time and energy involved in broadening contacts returns far less value than the same effort put into deepening key relationships.”
“Over the last year, have you gotten twelve months’ experience or one month’s experience repeated twelve times?”
“We cannot pursue all of our goals simultaneously, nor satisfy all of our desires right away.”
“Accept that everything is fixable and discussable - there are no unsolvable problems.”
“The difference between a company culture that works for you and one that doesn’t is like the difference between just having a job and doing your life’s work.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2012
What is your legacy? What is your life's work? This is a book full of uncommon wisdom for our times, that offers the reader a chance to see the bigger picture of their life.
'Howard's Gift' deals with the inflection points that we run, both positive and negative, force us into choices. The book builds logically chapter upon chapter and deals with subjects like our celebrity culture, asking if the juice is worth the squeeze, and helping you form a personal board of directors for your life's work. The book directs you to make your own definition of success rather than the one that is thrust on you. Choosing your own definition will lead to a more fulfilling and happy life.
The book also feels like a conversation with a trusted friend and advisor, and the advice is reinforced with examples from real people. We could all benefit from a friend like Howard in our life.
'Howard's Gift' deals with the inflection points that we run, both positive and negative, force us into choices. The book builds logically chapter upon chapter and deals with subjects like our celebrity culture, asking if the juice is worth the squeeze, and helping you form a personal board of directors for your life's work. The book directs you to make your own definition of success rather than the one that is thrust on you. Choosing your own definition will lead to a more fulfilling and happy life.
The book also feels like a conversation with a trusted friend and advisor, and the advice is reinforced with examples from real people. We could all benefit from a friend like Howard in our life.
January 31, 2013
A rich, conversational book that captures the boundless wisdom that evolved from the career success of Howard Stevenson, esteemed professor at HBS, entrepreneur, and businessman. Touching, inspiring, and eminently useful to overcoming career navigating challenges and self-confidence and self-doubt issues.
May 27, 2024
The book chronicles the conversations of a young entrepreneur and Howard Stevenson, a Harvard Business School professor. Howard has an extremely methodical approach to solving problems, and has clearly put a great deal of thought into his processes. His chapter on managing inflection points, or moments with potential for great change in one's life, was enormously impactful for me. I feel it was a big part to some of the most positive changes I've made in my life of late. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone seeking to make the most out of their professional life or striving after any other goal.
October 4, 2018
I listened to the audio book and it started strong and quickly went down hill for me from there.
The book is interesting and I would recommend it for people just entering the workforce that are looking for guidance or answers to questions about handling specific business and/or life challenges.
Some of the stories are good though many are just the author recounting his personal relationship with Howard Stevenson.
The book is interesting and I would recommend it for people just entering the workforce that are looking for guidance or answers to questions about handling specific business and/or life challenges.
Some of the stories are good though many are just the author recounting his personal relationship with Howard Stevenson.
July 29, 2023
Loved the way the book is structured. It's in the form of conversations between a master (Howard, a Harvard professor and author of multiple books) and a student, Eric. Eric probes Howard on various challenges in professional life and how to navigate them. It gets even more interesting as Eric has cited examples of characters going through challenges. The author had described it as a combination of Warren Buffet's wisdom and Tuesday's with Morrie and it as not a bad description.
October 9, 2022
The wisdom shared in this book is not exactly thought provoking, but it's a good reminder that your life's success is not defined by conventional standard, but rather, by staying true to yourself and the legacy you want to leave behind. A nice gift indeed.
April 17, 2023
"my values should, indeed, be mine; not ideas I absorb unthinkingly from the culture around me; that my values must be the fundamental pillars around which I craft my legacy; and that they should be reflected in the tactical decisions I make about how best to pursue that legacy."
November 29, 2025
Surprisingly deep reflection on what's important from a Harvard Business School professor, inspired by a near-death experience.
A great read, especially useful for a younger person (20s) considering their values. Probably a good reflection for anyone at any age.
A great read, especially useful for a younger person (20s) considering their values. Probably a good reflection for anyone at any age.
August 29, 2018
Tonnes of great insights from an amazing man.
March 2, 2021
Some may find the wisdom cliche. But the book spoke to me because I'm at an inflection point in my career.
June 26, 2021
In one eye, out the other.
May 18, 2024
Enjoyed half of the book, got bored did not finish
June 3, 2024
Lots of good career advice and prompts, though with life advice/self help books they’re only as valuable as the self-reflection done along with the advice. I probably need to revisit at some point!
August 31, 2024
The stories are implementable towards daily life
July 11, 2025
pleasant
Enjoyable, short, and wise. It’s an account of a student’s relationship and interactions with a wise professor; particularly the lessons learned from the man.
Enjoyable, short, and wise. It’s an account of a student’s relationship and interactions with a wise professor; particularly the lessons learned from the man.
March 2, 2016
This book was a bit wordy for me, but over all good info. It was nothing new to me really. I found it interesting to read about the work culture. And I also found Howard's back story interesting because I too have experience with the Mormon church, it's culture, and unfavorable social interactions. This book was mostly validation that I am on the right path for my life vison, and that my own view of my success regardless of titles, income, or awards that others have given me. I have felt very successful even if to the world I have accomplished very little to be praised. I also am looking forward to my new path of entrepreneurship. I have taken all of the steps I felt needed before taking this step, and now it is time. The book did have overtones of feministic views at times, witch I don't agree with. I don't think women need to be manly to be powerful or successful. In my entrepreneur goals, I will be one of the CEO's, but I have no need for that title or income. It is about fulfilling my life purpose and creating.
June 30, 2018
This book makes me feel more confident to my choice or reaction while I'm on my
inflection point. Even now I'm good, I still consider about what cards do I have in my
hands and keep moving forward.
inflection point. Even now I'm good, I still consider about what cards do I have in my
hands and keep moving forward.
May 18, 2013
take advantage of opportunities, figure out what you're good at, have balance in life, etc. I may be missing something, as I am not in business, but for the most part the wisdom dispensed here seemed common, contrary to the title.
It's great that the author looked up to his business school prof Howard Stevenson, and this is a nice tribute, but being a third party to their conversations did not prove particularly rewarding. One difficulty is that "my wise advisor told me......" is not a scintillating, action-packed structure for a book, so he reverts to some pretty boring scene-setting to pad the lessons themselves ("we were eating roast beef sandwiches in his kitchen when Howard turned to me and said....").
It's great that the author looked up to his business school prof Howard Stevenson, and this is a nice tribute, but being a third party to their conversations did not prove particularly rewarding. One difficulty is that "my wise advisor told me......" is not a scintillating, action-packed structure for a book, so he reverts to some pretty boring scene-setting to pad the lessons themselves ("we were eating roast beef sandwiches in his kitchen when Howard turned to me and said....").
March 15, 2014
Won as part of the Goodreads first reads program.
I am very happy for Mr. Sinoway that he had a mentor that made a huge impact on his life. Those relationships are wonderful, and I can understand the desire to share. Unfortunately, there is little unique or compelling about Howard's wisdom. This book reeks of pretension and privilege, if you aren't a graduate of Harvard Business School this book won't have much bearing on your life, and even if you are, it won't tell you anything about work/life balance that you don't already know.
I am very happy for Mr. Sinoway that he had a mentor that made a huge impact on his life. Those relationships are wonderful, and I can understand the desire to share. Unfortunately, there is little unique or compelling about Howard's wisdom. This book reeks of pretension and privilege, if you aren't a graduate of Harvard Business School this book won't have much bearing on your life, and even if you are, it won't tell you anything about work/life balance that you don't already know.
January 7, 2013
Good book to read around New Years when we are thinking about our life and how it could/should be.. It's not a preachy self-help "follow this prescription and you'll have a fabulous life" type of book. Rather, it offers a view into one man's philosophy from the viewpoint of one of his closest students. Some passages between the author and his mentor were a bit drawn out, but the book is worth reading. I found it helpful for giving me something to ruminate upon when the house is quiet or you have downtime at work.
January 10, 2016
One of a series of books about life and leadership and career choices. This one is intended to be the uncommon wisdom of Howard Stevenson, a very popular professor and self-made man at the Harvard Business School. I found the book to be interesting, but did not really think it contained the kind of ground-breaking wisdom that it claimed. However, it was well enough written that I appreciated the reminders and made it through the book without regret. Not a must-read, but a book that assisted me with outlining my intentions for the year ahead.
January 5, 2013
Lovely book, offers clarity, and makes eminent sense to people who understand the language of business. Not the kind of book you read over one sitting. My problem though is that the author tries to add literary flourishes when none are needed. This is a wise book and does its job well. The "flourishes" are distracting and irritating to say the least. Had it not been for those irritants, I'd have happily put a five star rating there
on-my-shelves
September 1, 2012I won this in Good Reads first reads giveaway. I have just incorporated my business and am looking forward to sage advice for the next steps. Hoping to build my business and really learn how to be an entrepreneur. I hope the book arrives soon
October 17, 2012
A good inspirational read, not just for entrepreneurs or people involved in business. If you're just someone who looking for inspiration for life, this is the perfect book for you. You enjoyed reading Tuesdays With Morrie, you'll enjoy this one.
December 28, 2012
I thought the authors offered some wise career developing advice. Like that they also incorporated consideration for other dimensions of life, aiming towards a wholesome approach. Will need to re-read to pick out the "pearls" most relevant to me at this time.
July 23, 2013
Howard gives advice on living out our individual journey. I was fortunate to meet the author and Howard at Mt Auburn Hospital's grand rounds. Every seat in the auditorium was taken, and many young doctors were sitting on the stairs to be apart of this presentation.
November 4, 2013
For a work book group, Howard is a member of our Board of Directors. This is a thought provoking book that I hope to revisit without a deadline to finish. Many good ideas on how to plan and live a satisfying life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews