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The Essentials of a Successful Career



Book Review

Title: Break Your Barriers: Strategic Career Essentials

Author: Anu Sunil

Publisher: Amazon Kindle [click to buy]

 

If you are looking for a concise and pragmatic guide to success in your business career, go no further. Anu Sunil’s Break Your Barriers is one of the best in the genre. This slim volume aims to teach the reader “to learn how to lead with integrity, speak clearly, and progress with confidence” (Introduction). The book is meant not just for beginners in their profession but also for seasoned achievers. The best merit of the book is that its lessons are absolutely actionable and focused, with clear procedures that may be implemented right away. The author’s claim in the introduction that “this is more than just a handbook. It’s an attitude shift” is vindicated on every page.

Let us look at just one chapter randomly to understand how the book works. Chapter 3 is titled ‘Express Yourself Confidently and Consistently.’ The chapter begins with a brief note on the importance of effective communication. Soon it moves to very practical suggestions on how to enhance your clarity, consistency, and confidence. It gives very useful suggestions like how we can employ certain online resources for improving our communication. For example, Grammarly for better grammar, Notion or Slack for better documentation, and Toastmasters for dealing with nervousness if you have the problem. Having provided many useful suggestions and lists on the three elements of communication, the chapter moves on to effective listening and again lists concise and effective methods of listening.

There are easy-to-understand tables or charts in every chapter. Like the ones below.

 


Moreover, most of the content is presented systematically using bullet points, a style that suits business people. Let me give an example again.


Anu Sunil, the author, has over 24 years of leadership experience. She possesses deep industry knowledge. She is the recipient of the International Women’s Award for excellence in business services (2023). 


My recent book reviews

Mother Mary Comes to Me

The Life of an Activist

A Man Called Ove

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Comments

  1. Yamini MacLeanOctober 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM

    Hari OM
    Not a book I require these days - but for younger ones still in employ, rather useful! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pradeep NairOctober 11, 2025 at 10:49 PM

    Unlike earlier, today career is a major challenge for the youngsters. It's no longer about getting a job. Not even a job that one likes. It's all about how one goes up the career ladder, and all the pressures that the employer piles on. Looks like this book has quite a few clues on how to move ahead.
    (My latest post: Seasons in my life)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalOctober 12, 2025 at 7:23 AM

      The book is very relevant especially with regard to your comment.

      Delete
  3. Peppylady (Dora)October 12, 2025 at 5:13 AM

    I forgot about toastmaster.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Liz A.October 12, 2025 at 6:26 AM

    I'm sure many would find much use in this.

    ReplyDelete

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