Lessons I Wish I Was Taught

About the Book

Lessons I Wish I Was Taught is a collection of the author’s reflections and observations drawn from the many roles he has played throughout his career. During his tenure as Singapore CEO of Mizuho Bank, he wrote 360 weekly messages to connect with his colleagues and, in his own words, to “demystify” his role. He wanted them to see that beyond his responsibilities as CEO, he was no different from those he worked with. Although these messages were originally written spontaneously, they have since been refreshed and thoughtfully organised into themes such as Chasing the Rainbows, Pursuing Change, Working with People, and Leadership. In this book, the author also shares his personal faith journey, which has profoundly shaped his perspectives, character, and conduct. He distils his experiences into three defining lessons: Life is fragile—treasure it. Life is not fair—suck it up. Life is meaningless—find your purpose.

About the Author

YK Guan is a veteran banker who has held various leadership roles in Singapore’s financial services industry and the Methodist Church in Singapore. He retired as the Singapore CEO of Mizuho Bank in September 2023, after forty years of distinguished service. He remains the bank’s Special Advisor and continues to devote his time serving on various boards, in addition to spending more time on the passion of his life - Storytelling. Through relatable stories drawn from real-life experiences, he seeks to encourage, inspire, and help others live with greater purpose..