"I would recommend this book to anyone
looking to maximise intentional living
and minimise regret."
looking to maximise intentional living
and minimise regret."
- Kian Bakhtiari, Founder, The People
Designer
On average we spend 90,000 hours
of our lives at work.
The only thing we do more is sleep.
Start Small, Start Simple, Just Start
You can’t rely on companies for your happiness and security anymore,
it’s never been harder to succeed in the ‘corporate’ world.
This book gives you the hope and permission to take back control of your working journey,
to thrive again,
and to bring more joy to your daily life
‘A Bad Hand Played Well’ is a ‘how-to’ guide to a different, kinder way of working for yourself and others.
It’s a mix of best practices and pitfalls to avoid.
A combination of wisdom and anecdotes, rooted in kindness, gratitude and resilience.
You have one life, make it a good one.
‘A Bad Hand Played Well’ is now available on Amazon.com and select bookstores
Advance Reviews
“A kind and thoughtful people-focused antidote to the $1Tn global problem of burnout at work, offering insights for a life well-lived instead.”
KoAnn Vikoren SkrzyniarzFounder & Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Brands 
“I would recommend this book to anyone looking to maximise
intentional living
and minimise regret.”
Kian BakhtiariFounder, The People and minimise regret.”
“Get ready to embark on a life-changing adventure with this extraordinary book.
It combines powerful chapters that will empower you to see work and life in a whole new light.”
Quinn O’BrienChief Marketing Officer, Carnegie Learning It combines powerful chapters that will empower you to see work and life in a whole new light.”
“Neil Schambra Stevens takes us from the old discussion about work/life balance to rethinking
about life-at-work-harmony and does so in a way that’s useful, thoughtful and deeply human.”
Claus RaastedDirector, The College of Extraordinary Experiences
“A Bad Hand Played Well’ highlights ways to find harmony with life and work
and to live with kindness and intention every day.”
Ozlem TuskanFounder & Chief Executive Officer, The Resilient and to live with kindness and intention every day.”
"Inspiring, insightful and full of realistic and actionable optimism.”
Alessio CuccuChief Kindness Officer, KINDNOVATE
“'A Bad Hand Played Well' reminds me of the simple truth.
Just do the things you can't resist doing. Then do more of it. And do it often.
This will take me to the places where I make a difference unique to me.”
Gordon EuchlerFounder, The 30 Minute University of Planning Just do the things you can't resist doing. Then do more of it. And do it often.
This will take me to the places where I make a difference unique to me.”
"Neil highlights so many of the qualities that help a manager become a leader of people.
These are not soft, esoteric ideas, but rather real and practical insights that can
make us better at work, and happier as people."
Jeff ShaferChief Communications Officer, Lenovo These are not soft, esoteric ideas, but rather real and practical insights that can
make us better at work, and happier as people."
“A thought provoking must-read for anyone curious about reconfiguring their working world.”
Shamila MhearbanExecutive Coach, Forbes Coaches Council
“’A Bad Hand Played Well’ celebrates this thinking offering new insights for individuals
and teams to create dynamic, kinder ways for people to thrive at work.
In the words of the late, great Joe Strummer “Without people, you’re nothing.”
Raoul ShahFounder, Exposure and teams to create dynamic, kinder ways for people to thrive at work.
In the words of the late, great Joe Strummer “Without people, you’re nothing.”
“Neil celebrates kindness by emphasizing its importance in everyday life.
In particular why we can, should and must bring this important act into the workplace,
in order to move the needle on organizational culture and business results.
Monika MichaliszynVice President, Human Resources (People Services), VF EMEA In particular why we can, should and must bring this important act into the workplace,
in order to move the needle on organizational culture and business results.
Neil’s book is transformative.
He doesn’t just break the rules; he gives kinder, more human ones to follow instead.
‘A Bad Hand Played Well’ serves as our call to adventure, our new manifesto for kindness,
not only to ourselves but to each other.
Brian PagánFounder, The Greatness Studio He doesn’t just break the rules; he gives kinder, more human ones to follow instead.
‘A Bad Hand Played Well’ serves as our call to adventure, our new manifesto for kindness,
not only to ourselves but to each other.
“A great book by a former C Suite executive who shares tangible examples
on how you can start today by starting small. These insights can be life changing
and bring joy in how you go about spending those 90,000 hours at work”.
Kobi AmpomaHead of Talent Acquisition, The Heineken Company on how you can start today by starting small. These insights can be life changing
and bring joy in how you go about spending those 90,000 hours at work”.
“What a joy to imagine 90,000 hours of freedom.
But what a terror to imagine your 90,000 hours owned by someone else.
And the difference between the two?
Taking ownership of how you play your hand.”
Helen KingCreative Director, adidas But what a terror to imagine your 90,000 hours owned by someone else.
And the difference between the two?
Taking ownership of how you play your hand.”
"‘A Bad Hand Played Well’ has a really nice perspective, away from victim play or anger.
A solutions focused book where you feel a bit more in control of your life and how to change it.”
Gabrielle van AsseltAssociate Design Partner, Unknown A solutions focused book where you feel a bit more in control of your life and how to change it.”
“Neil is a coach who will empower you to use the hand you've been dealt,
not just in your work but in every facet of life."
Minesh SiyaniLearning + Development Lead, Wieden + Kennedy not just in your work but in every facet of life."
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