Exploding Turkeys and Spare Trousers

A former Director of Education and Training for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Vice President at Citibank, Ken’s unique background combines experience in executive development, management consulting, institution building and corporate banking. He is the co-author of Managing Your Strengths and Performance at the Limit, Business Lessons from Formula 1 Motor Racing.In his speaking engagements and executive workshops Ken focuses on building high performance organizations through visionary leadership, team effectiveness, creating a winning culture and improving cross-cultural understanding.

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover – or by its title – but I was immediately intrigued and hooked by both when introduced to Ken Pastenak’s wonderful new work, “Exploding Turkeys and Spare Trousers.” Part travelogue, part memoir, and part business book, with each vignette the author transports us in time and place, taking us along with him on a journey of international exploration and discovery. Through his insightful and often-humorous storytelling, reading this snapshot-filled book often felt like a chat with an old friend walking you through his business trip photo album, sharing one interesting and entertaining tale after another…each accompanied by a universal lesson in leadership and in life. And, as it can be read in any order – either from start-to-finish or at random – these light and tasty, appetizer-sized chapters collectively add up to one sumptuous and memorable meal.