You’re smart and hardworking, and doing “everything right.” You have intelligence, education, experience, networks and maybe other advantages like assets, power and resources. But, you’re frustrated that you’re not more successful. A whole lot more successful. You’re seeing less intelligent and less capable people leap ahead... and you’re wondering why?. In How Smart People Can Become More Successful, Ram V. Iyer—MIT graduate, executive, and serial entrepreneur—reveals the missing capabilities that create the gap between one’s potential and one’s achievements. The greatest enemy of intelligence is not stupidity, but the illusion that intelligence alone is enough to succeed. That’s the Advantage Illusion that hurts many smart people—and Smartness is the antidote. Smartness is the ability to see things as they are, recognize what needs to be done, and take the right action. It’s the capability to achieve greater success that anyone can develop at any age. Greater success stems from better leveraging who you are, and what you already possess—intentionally and consistently. Based on ten years of research and data from 1,200 assessments of elite professionals, this book introduces the 21 Smartness Factors that either accelerate your success—or sabotage it. If a growth mindset was a breakthrough in thinking, Smartness is a breakthrough in achieving. In this book, you’ll discover: * Why some smart people underachieve—and how to bridge the Smartness Gap. * How to turn intelligence, experience, and other strengths into consistent, real-world success. * Why the most successful people aren’t always the most intelligent, but ones good at leveraging their advantages with Smartness—repeatedly—using the Achievement Cycle. * How to augment a growth mindset with the Earned Mindset for lasting performance. * How to identify and overcome hidden disablers like perfectionism, hesitation, and overthinking that silently block progress. With a foreword by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, world’s #1 executive coach, and praise from alumni leaders of MIT, Harvard, Booth, Kellogg, Duke, and Ross, this book is a practical, no-BS guide to become an achiever. You’re already smart. Now use your Smartness to succeed. "Ram Iyer has done something rare here. He's offered a roadmap that honors your intelligence while challenging you to use it differently." "If you've ever felt like your brain is working overtime but your results aren't matching your effort-this book is for you." - Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life , Triggers , and What Got You Here Won't Get You There . "This is the best book I've seen for the smart but underachieving-delivered with tough love and practical wisdom. It provides more than a few million-dollar insights. I recommend this book enthusiastically!" - Chester Elton, Bestselling Author, The Carrot Principle and Leading With Gratitude "Success doesn't come from being the smartest in the room-it comes from applying it smarter. This book shows you how." - Desh Deshpande, Life Member, Governing Board of MIT "Smartness is the missing link between potential and performance, and this book is a powerful mix of data, insight, and real talk, including 21 powerful factors that can either propel or block your success. Ram nails it. Intelligence is your engine. Smartness is the steering. Ram teaches you how to drive to impact much more effectively." - Sean E. Brown, MIT Sloan Alum & Career Chair, MIT Sloan Boston Alumni Association "Ram Iyer's book delivers the tough love every smart professional needs but rarely receives. He shatters the myth that intelligence alone guarantees success and replaces it with actionable strategies anyone can use to move forward. This is the book I wish I'd had earlier in my career-it's practical, honest, and refreshingly direct. If you've ever felt stuck despite doing 'all the right things, ' this book is your roadmap out." - Michael Vermillion, President, Chicago Booth Alumni Club of Los Angeles "If you've ever wondered why your intelligence and hard work haven't taken you further-this book explains why and provides a path to achieve greater success." - Larry Lifson, Co-President, Northwestern Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago West "Often, we are so focused on creating a better world that we forget to bring those same problem-solving skills to ourselves. Ram's approach will give you a methodology to improve yourself by becoming more well-rounded. This, in turn, will make you more successful and help you to achieve what you want to achieve." - Mark Johnston, 2023-24 President, MIT Club of Washington DC "This book is a wake-up call for high-achievers. Ram shows you how to finally convert your intelligence into real-world success." - Marc Ingram, President, Michigan Ross Alumni Club of Ann Arbor & Southeast Michigan This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to live a successful and meaningful li