This is my opportunity to heap appreciation upon the thanks I already owe the two individuals who brought me into this world. With fierce encouragement, my parents have been pleading with me to write a book—any book—for years now.

A novelist I am not. A memoir would have been too presumptuous by fault of my relative youth. But since investment writing is what I do by day (and sometimes night), why not share what I've learned in my professional life to benefit others? I met a receptive listener in John Deremigis, who devoted his generous time to studying my ideas for this book, introduced me to Wiley, and helped usher my career‐long wish from the obscurity of a pipe dream to the doorstep of reality.

I'd be remiss to not mention Orily Pratt, who was the first to take a chance on me despite my rudimentary qualifications, furnish me with a launch pad to the world, and demonstrate more than anyone that managers can and should be talent nurturers. Sending me off to my first senior job, she inscribed a copy of Alice in Wonderland to me with characteristic flair: “Good luck is wished upon those whose success is unsure,” she wrote, “but since that's clearly not the case with you, I trust that Alice will help spice up your journey, make it pleasurable, and afford you counsel in times of doubt.” I can't think of a better nurturer.

Then there are those who opened their doors, hearts, and checkbooks while excusing my quirks; those who have offered mentorship and friendship; and those to whom I owe my professional experience over the years. I particularly want to acknowledge—in no particular order—Diane Gargiulo and her associates, Robert Bilse, Betsy Perlman, Jeanne Sdroulas, Brian Steel, Chris Poe, Daniel Donnelly, Trudi Baldwin, Chris Thabet, Bernard Del Rey, Jay Rubin, Judith Jones, Robert Noltenmeier, Robert Bosselman, Joe Kolman, Dorothy Nickelson, Matthew Stadtmauer, Jennifer Babsin, Avi Sharon, Pat David, Joe Gavin, Ana Duarte‐McCarthy, and Robert Brazier.

Regrettably, I haven't room to list the many more colleagues for whom I had the privilege to write. But I hope they find a token of my gratitude in the words I've left behind.

Notwithstanding the well‐worn adage that a book should not be judged by its cover, I credit my friend Tim Cilurso for his visually creative gateway to these words.

Thanks to Evan Gordon, Michelle DeWitt, Wim Vandenhoeck, Vered Zimmerman, and Brian Levitt, who shared their perspectives with me for this project.

Finally, the Bouers, the Rothbaums, and the extended Kedem and Rabbani families have been New York's gift to me since Day One. And it is Erika Woods, my sounding board and veritable rock, whose unfailingly wise counsel I could not do without.