(NYTIMES) - In my 17 years on Wall Street advising corporate executives on restructurings, leveraged buyouts, and mergers and acquisitions, I was far from God's gift to the profession. But watching and learning from Wall Street giants such as Mr Felix Rohatyn at Lazard and Mr Ray McGuire at Merrill Lynch were invaluable.

Sitting in their offices, I'd observe them as they romanced a potential client to win an assignment, subtly laid the groundwork to help a big shot decide whether to consummate a merger or helped negotiate the terms of a bankruptcy. I learnt how the business really worked and began to understand what levers to pull to get deals done.