Many people contemplate writing a book. I have decided to become part of a very small percentage that actually do, attempting to share many of the valuable experiences I have had the good fortune of accumulating over the course of my 40+ years in the specialty chemicals industry.

I believe I have some good stories to share, all of which have formed the person I have become. These experiences have shaped my approach to business and leadership and established my philosophical view on the right way to treat other people, whether they are your superiors, subordinates, co-workers, customers, suppliers, or otherwise.

While all of my stories are relatively brief, I feel they offer up personal and professional insight that may help you avoid the missteps I have made, capitalize on some of the positive decisions I have made, and realize a more productive and efficient journey as you sail forth in your own career. I am hopeful that by reading my stories you will be able to extract some wisdom from them that you can deploy when similarly challenged or when tasked with responsibility to lead and motivate others to greater levels of collective performance or individual achievement.

In a nutshell, I see this book as a collection of lessons in career choices, leadership, partnerships, differentiation, inspiration, achievement, disappointment, and perseverance. Thank you for joining me on decades of reflection.

Jeff Edwards