“Frustrated with our polarized culture? Take this incredibly fun ride through the life of modern day Renaissance man Vikram Mansharamani to appreciate a simple solution—open-minded, generalist thinking. This book is an enjoyable read that lays out a viable path to move beyond today's identity-driven, label-dominated world.” —Christopher T. Sununu, Governor; State of New Hampshire

“As a modern day Indiana Jones, Vikram braves the wilds of today’s uncertain world with remarkable tenacity and a devout commitment to identifying opportunities within risks. The generalist approach he models can help each of us create a better future for ourselves, our families, and quite possibly, our country.” —David Tice, President, Paul Revere Films

Step into the fascinating world of Vikram Mansharamani, where the power of independent thinking takes center stage.

Vikram’s remarkable journey has taken him from humble beginnings to being one of the most sought-after independent thinkers of our time in business, politics, and strategic decision-making. Filled with insights that show readers how to think and act for themselves, The Making of a Generalist reveals how Vikram learned to navigate uncertainty from a young age.

As the son of two working-class immigrants who moved to rural New Jersey, Vikram balanced demanding academics while pumping gas at his dad’s garage. His parents modeled a powerful migrant mindset that shaped his worldview and taught him the importance of open-mindedness and the value of education. In school, his unbridled curiosity opened doors to an Ivy League education, a PhD from MIT, and faculty appointments at Yale and Harvard.

Nothing about Vikram’s journey to the top was linear or easy. As a generalist in a world of specialists, he often watched his ideas get dismissed by experts brimming with overconfident certainty. But Vikram resisted the herd, embraced multi-dimensional thinking, and regularly spotted what experts missed.

Vikram’s life shows how anyone can find unconventional success through an intentional focus on breadth over depth—the lynchpin to being an effective generalist. Written with heart-warming candor, The Making of a Generalist empowers readers to embrace challenges and view uncertainty as a gift of opportunity.