Book excerpt: It has become almost cliché to say that the world has changed. The pace of technology change, the increasing number of new businesses, and growing global workforce has made the world a more competitive place. Global economic events have delayed retirement for millions around the world and thinning margins are making employers more risk adverse to prevent any disruptions in business continuity. This major shift in the business world is the recipe for a perfect storm that could be nothing short of catastrophic for many organizations, nations, and people. Life Literacy is a cautionary tale, a forensic journey into what went wrong, a roadmap out of trouble, and a beacon for what life can be like. It is a timely, highly practical survival guide that will help the current and future generations create a better world where opportunities are abundant, success is achieved, and the pitfalls of predecessors are avoided. One-sided solutions never solve problems. Life Literacy provides both viewpoints highlighting the problems that aren’t very far downstream that will cripple companies and communities if left unaddressed, as well as solutions that show what life could be like if people learn from one another.