Robin Sharma


Robin Sharma is a Canadian writer, best known for his The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari book series. Sharma worked as a litigation lawyer until age 25, when he self-published MegaLiving, a book on stress management and spirituality. He initially also self-published The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, which was then picked up for wider distribution by HarperCollins. Sharma has published 12 other books, and founded the training company Sharma Leadership International.

Early life and career

Sharma is of Indian Ugandan origin. He was born in Mbale, Uganda in 1965 and emigrated to Winnipeg when he was a one year old and raised in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia. His father was a physician and his mother a teacher, he has one brother. He attended Dalhousie University studying biology with a minor in romantic poetry and then completed a Master's degree in law there as well. Initially, he worked as a lawyer for both a firm and then the Department of Justice in Ottawa, but he says he couldn't find satisfaction or peace in it.
Sharma started his writing career at the age of 25. He became widely known for his second book, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari self-published in 1997. After his second book became successful, he quit his career as a lawyer and became a full-time writer. His sixth book, The Saint, the Surfer, and the CEO: A Remarkable Story About Living Your Heart's Desires, was released on October 1, 2002. Publishers Weekly wrote that it exemplifies "how to access your inner gifts and reshape your whole outer life in the process" through the character of Jack Valentine. Jack is a chronically unhappy, broke and underperforming man, who has broken up with his girlfriend and has just met with an accident. He wakes up in a hospital, covered in bruises, and meets his long-lost father, who is his dying roommate. As he recovers from his injuries, Jack receives some final advice from his father, consisting of three questions on whether one has lived wisely, served greatly or loved well. Soon, Jack is sent on a journey across the world where he meets three teachers: a saint, a surfer and a CEO who help him find the answer to the three questions.
Later, he also became popular as a public speaker. He is consulted by CEOs and other corporate leaders on the question of employee motivation. He has also conducted trainings for companies like Nike, Microsoft, IBM, and FedEx. Organisations such as Yale University, Harvard Business School, and NASA also call him to give public speeches.

Selected publications

  • Megaliving!: 30 Days to a Perfect Life
  • The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
  • Leadership Wisdom from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
  • Who Will Cry When You Die: Life Lessons from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
  • Family Wisdom from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
  • The Saint, the Surfer, and the CEO
  • The Greatness Guide: 101 Lessons for Making What's Good at Work and in Life Even Better
  • The Greatness Guide Book 2: 101 More Insights to Get You to World Class
  • The Leader Who Had No Title
  • The Secret Letters of the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
  • Little Black Book for Stunning Success
  • The 5 AM Club
  • The Everyday Hero Manifesto
  • ‘’The Wealth Money Can’t Buy’’