How Come No One Told Me That?: Life Lessons, Practical Advice and Timeless Wisdom for Success

by Prakash Iyer

There are plenty of self-improvement books out there-books that claim they can change your life. Yet, what makes us better human beings are stories and real-life observations, which can help us get ahead in our careers and, in turn, enrich our lives.In How Come No One Told Me That?, bestselling author Prakash Iyer shares the stories and observations that have made an immense impact on his life. The book is divided into ten sections, exploring life lessons, ways of improving oneself, leadership and the importance of doing small things right, among other subjects. Through powerful anecdotes and charming essays, followed by practical, actionable advice, this book will help you make those minor adjustments to your professional and personal lives that can truly make you unstoppable.

Genres: Self Help, Leadership, Philosophy

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2021

Reviews

[Avani ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Come No One Told Me That? by Prakash Iyer a book about life lessons, practical advice and timeless wisdom for success. The author shares simple stories, real life world experiences and examples as well as powerful lessons that made a difference in someone's life.

I liked how author has used common everyday examples and anecdotes to explain us better. Anecdotes of a ping pong game and what all that game teaches us. His boat ride trip to Kerala or the story of Hanlon's razor.

I liked how the author has noted for us all the important points in a box at the end of every chapter and story. The quotes and messages at the start of every chapter made the reading process much better and gripping.

This was the first book by the author I've read so far, and truly speaking it did not feel like a heavy non-fiction book to me. It was very easy flowing due to its storytelling nature as well as the way it was written but at the same time filled with knowledge, wisdom and full of insights.

[Devanshi Sanghani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s harder to be kind than to be clever. Be kind. Discover the joy of giving. And remember, giving has nothing to do with how much you have.

I have never read books by Prakash Iyer and this was the first one that I took up with high expectations because I had heard that he writes very well and his books can become a life changing phenomenon and this book certainly didn’t fail my expectations.

Once I started to read the minuscule stories inside this book, I was hooked with how the Author had learnt lessons even from a small thing like tying our own shoe lace. The book was easily understandable and I loved how the Author even though expressed the stories in short manner still provided a summary of the lessons he learnt at the end of every story.

This book makes us see life in a different way. It makes us want to be a better leader, a better citizen and out of all a better human being. I don’t think I have anything negative to say for this one because the journey of reading this book from the start till the end has been very informative and life changing. Definitely recommended.

[Bandita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is kind of a unique self help book. Unique because the life lessons are told in the form of stories or anecdotes from the author's life.

In this book, the author shares many of his anecdotes and what he learnt from those instances. All the stories were interesting to read. Plus I couldn't help but admire at the author who found big life lessons at such trivial things.

This is a self help book but without the monotony of the self help books, you know? If you are not a nonfiction reader and are scared of them, then this is the best book for you. The life lessons are told in the form of interesting and entertaining stories that you won't be bored of. The chapters/ stories are short as well, so you will be able to read this book quite fast.

Also the lessons told were essentially quite important. This stories can make us learn many things and help us be better persons.

Overall it was an amazing book. Resourceful and yet entertaining. Quirky and yet important. I think this book is a must read. Highly recommended.

[Ajith Ashokkumar (LordOfBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is special because it is not just about self-help, but also about the power of understanding our lives and the world around us. This book may evoke a sense of nostalgia, as it reminds readers of stories they heard as children.
“Life itself is a lesson, each day is a new chapter and if we observe it carefully there will be something to learn”!!!

[Anuj Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read this year! Lots of lessons I am taking away from this beautiful book and I’m already using so many stories from this book in my trainings and in my classes.

I would love to gift this book to anyone and everyone!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best nonfiction I have ever read so far.

[Md Khalid Rahman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple. Wise. Relateable. Relevant.

Quite enjoyed the read. I believe this book will help everyone to be a better version of themselves. Recommended.

[Suman Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prakash Iyer has done it again. Another lovely book of gems. Simple stories that have deep meanings and leave long term impact. Worth reading. And re-reading.

Full disclosure: Prakash and I were at business school together.

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suppose that all of us have sometimes felt helpless or wondered if we could get some advice or maybe some more insight into something, to make our life easier or to sort a problem out. We often feel the need of someone to help, to guide, to share with us the small things that make big differences in our lives, listening to what we blurt out- How Come No One Told Me That?! The author here shares such powerful and important lessons from real-life experiences through anecdotes and observations.

There are life lessons, suggestions for getting better, how to work on our mindset, leadership skills, making better decisions and a lot more stuff that is certainly a must read! He imparts the information to us through simplest life happenings and at other times through the words of common people or of famous and influential personalities like cricketers and more.

My personal favourites were How to Solve a Conflict and Judge a Book by Its Cover, Everyone Does!

I hadn't read his work before, but I'm definitely going after the other books from the author. Packed with timeless wisdom, practical and actionable advice, this is a non-fiction I can re-read and still find something valuable for myself and for others. Highly recommended!

[Solitude and books · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are plenty of self-improvement books out there-books that claim they can change your life.

Yet, what makes us better human beings are stories and real-life observations, which can help us get ahead in our careers and, in turn, enrich our lives.

This is a book on life and success. It's from the best selling author of The Habit of Winning and The Secret of Leadership.

I really enjoy reading the content of this book. These feel thought provoking. This book has many anecdotes. Also it has some really thoughtful essays.

They are followed by practical advice. The book is divided into ten purposeful sections. They explore life lessons, ways of improving oneself, leadership and the importance of doing small things right, among other subjects.

I recommend it to all.
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Do you enjoy reading non-fiction? Which is your favourite book?
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[Pranav Jagdish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book off my dad's shelf in a whim, not really knowing what to expect. It felt exhilarating to finish a book without carefully scheduling it in my TBR list for the year. Prakash Iyer does a lot right with this book, which is structured like a coffee table read for business professionals.

However, this doesn't read like a cliché. Iyer has a knack of trying to extract key life lessons from the most unexpected places. There are stories about escalators, A.B De Villiers and 5 star hotels. More than the actual learning itself, the storytelling and the story stuck with me more which I believe is the point.

I have a love-hate relationships with these business leadership books that seem to scream in my face telling me how to live my life and structure it to maximum productivity. How Come No One Told Me That? stands as an exception to this rule, where it seems like lessons are taught creatively for maximum retention if needed. The only drawback I'd say is the structure of the book which is all disparate chapters but that's more a type-of-book critique than anything else so it's pretty minor.

[Navya Sri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book allows you to rethink or revisit some of the statements you have come across in your life and either tries to brushes the old sayings or presents you with new thoughts. It brings you the experience of how you have been fed with negative thoughts, for example why would you rather stress over the quality than on doing things and learning over from mistakes.

This guides you to re-think about  your life perspectives and gives a kick start to your mindful journey.


There are lot of inputs given with a concrete backend story to support the theory. This is an easy and feasible read for those who like to go for fun and doable guide to managing your life.


My personal take on this book is no doubt boosting the self-morale into doing the things in my own non-toxic way, although the examples don't advocate any drastic change in my life.


This is hassle free and an easy travel read which interacts with you to make a difference.

Hope this made sense and have a great day ahead!

[Richa Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Come No One Told Me That? is the most casual yet amazing approach of giving life lessons, valuable advices and wisdom by the way of anecdotes and real life encounters. The book provides us with an insight into the author's experiences with people and objects that has created a deep impact in his life. Such lessons and learnings that we were sure to ignore or miss out on.

To say this book was enjoyable would be an understatement, the writing was simple and flows through. The chapters and incidents are short and very entertaining to read. Being a non-fiction book, the author has done a marvelous job of keeping us interested by giving funny and cute stories that will leave a mark on us readers. It is a highly useful read as the author has made it a point to highlight the learnings of each chapter in pointers at the end, which I just adore.

[Jyoti Ranjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book which I have read written by Prakash Iyer. I would like to say "How Come No One Told Me About This Book Before". It is kind of book which covers simple stories with anecdotes drawn from everyday life and real world experiences and what lessons we can learn from these incidents.
Stories from Business, Sports, Boatman etc.

There are lot to learn from the book, however I would like to share my favorite,
Pointers / Choices we can all make to help build our long lasting legacy -
1. Strive for significance, not just success
2. It's always about them, not us
3. Work on it now, don't leave it for later
4. Strive for work-life balance, in our legacy too
5. Everyone remember stories, not just the numbers

Fantastic read, thank you Prakash Sir for sharing the short stories through the book.

[Nitin Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

After thoroughly enjoying The Habit of Winning, I picked up my second Prakash Iyer book, and it did not disappoint! The author's signature style of breaking down profound insights into bite-sized chapters makes this book incredibly accessible and engaging. What truly sets it apart is the exceptional research backing each concept, paired with examples that resonate deeply with Indian readers. The relatable scenarios and practical wisdom make complex ideas feel immediately applicable to our daily lives. Whether you're seeking professional growth or personal development, this book delivers valuable lessons in a refreshingly simple format. Highly recommended for anyone looking for actionable advice presented in an easy-to-digest manner!

[Aditi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked it from the bookstore at airport because I forgot to carry a book with me.
Easy & insightful read that you can finish off in one domestic flight journey .
Somethings might be repetitive if you read lot of books of this genre but definitely some interesting & new insights and little bit of refresher and reinforcement never hurts!!
My key takeaways were U before C, most expensive coffee break by Starbucks, upside down organization chart by Pepsi, Laffer Curve, case of brown m&m’s , Cobra Effect, Hanlon’s Razor, Survivorship Bias etc etc.

[Tanish Jain]

Within the pages of Prakash Iyer's literary work, 'How come no one told me that?,' readers are exposed to a rich tapestry of timeless lessons and profound wisdom conveyed through compelling anecdotes. The book extensively addresses critical aspects such as leadership, time management, and the nuances of life, spanning various genres to cater to a diverse audience. Distinguished by its accessible narrative, this book serves as an excellent introduction for beginners, marking it as the inaugural piece in my literary exploration.

[Shriti Chatterjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7/5
This book was being talked about highly at my workplace, so I decided to pick it up.
It has lessons on teamwork, motivation and leadership which are pretty much known to all, but implemented by very few.
I was definitely intrigued with the concept of successful people putting their 200% into making plan A work, instead of having a plan B.
This is not a life-changing book, not a self-help book either, but definitely one that can be effectual, if we practice, what is being read here.

[Soumya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars actually. I loved some of the concepts in the book and others I thought were just not deep enough to resonate with me . It’s like normal circumstances were hard pressed to come up with life lessons or management lessons. Recommended for those starting careers or middle management.
Simple language, well paced and good format for easy understanding. Good to skim through .
I definitely had some takeaways and some “meh” moments.

[Srijith Jagdish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice companion to have during your travels…the book comprises of multiple chapters and seems to address the corporate employee more than others…

What makes the book a good read is the authors narrative style which is simple and succinct…another good part is that every chapter includes a story, many of them from the authors personal life, which makes them drag and something that you have probably not read before…

Would recommend👍👍👍

Thanks,

Sri

[AJAY KHAITAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writer has a very keen eye on looking at the regular things & draw life lessons from them.It was a very enjoyable read & enriching too. Some of the stories were quite relatable with my own experiences. Recommended for those who would like to have a share of rich experiences of the writer.Also for those who would like to learn on keeping your eyes & ears open to the life lessons which are happening around in our everyday lives.

[Jitendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers simple, inspiring anecdotes that bring practical wisdom to daily life. Each relatable story showcases small acts of kindness, empathy, and mindfulness, encouraging readers to create a ripple effect of positivity. By choosing compassion and intentionality, these tales show how even tiny gestures can transform the world into a kinder place. A must-read for anyone seeking meaningful change.

[Aditya Tah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandatory reading !!!

This book has nudged me to unlearn, reflect and made me to understand the importance of taking action ,being a better human being and making an impact in life .
Highly recommended reading!! Go grab a copy ,soon !

[Jignesh Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title is genuinely justified. All the little stories are certainly life lessons. Very refreshing read to take a brain break in between meetings or sessions.

All the chapters/stories have a unique message but my favorite 2 are 1) My Aeroplane and 2) 5 lessons from table tennis.

[Raj Bidika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging! Teaching lessons on life and leadership by telling stories is the best way to impart wisdom. I didn't feel bored throughout the book. I would highly recommend this book to people who want to make this world a better place.

[Ragothaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the author's free flowing writing style without any unnecessary jargons. Practical examples and anecdotes with beautiful messages make this book a must read for people who believe in continuous improvement.

[Neil Patil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well thought out book with super short stories. Organised well with each chapter leaving you with something to thing about.

[Sarweshwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book with lots of relevant stories. The book will help you to introspect and help you to be a better human being.

[ANIMESH KUJUR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

It's an book of experience, learnings and what we should focus on as a person and individual. Beautifully written PI

[Aman Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read.