Clayton Christensen is the Kim B. Clark professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. He has authored several books, the first of which was “The Innovators Dilemma”. “How Will You Measure Your Life” is his most recent work. In this book, Christensen draws on the theories taught in business school and attempts, with mixed success, to apply them to the issues we all face in our personal lives.

“How Will You Measure Your Life” moves through a series of questions: How can I be sure I’ll find satisfaction in my career? How can I be sure that my personal relationships become enduring sources of happiness? How can I avoid compromising my integrity and stay out of jail? Each question is analyzed using lessons and insights gleaned from some of the most well known businesses in the world.

While almost all of the lessons provided are on target, some do not really provide the direction many readers might be looking for to best avoid the hazards he describes. At the same time, the business theories are rich and even if simply a reminder of things the reader has seen in the past they are well worth revisiting.

Not a book I would recommend to a contemporary, however, definitely a book I would give to anyone starting out in business in hopes they would take the time to read it carefully and consider the wisdom it contains.

This blog first appeared on The Leadership Room on 06/04/2012.

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