Must-Read Books | September 2023

As summer closes, dropping temperatures signal it’s time to get back into a learning headspace and to re-evaluate strategies. Whether it’s recalibrating perceptions on failure, assessing the significance of recognition, or evaluating partnerships in a globalized world, these five books deliver insights that can help reset your individual and organizational approaches to work and home life alike.

With expertise spanning psychological safety, societal values, global economies, diversity and equity, and data monetization, the experts represented by Stern Strategy Group are shaping the discourse on business strategy for the modern era through their books. Contact us to learn more about how each of these authorities combines decades of research with actionable insights to present a blueprint that ensures businesses not only adapt, but thrive, in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy Edmondson: Known for introducing the term “psychological safety” to workplaces, leadership expert Edmondson challenges traditional ideas of success and advocates for a more nuanced understanding of failures – their types, impacts and the learning they offer. In a world that either fears failure or romanticizes it, Edmondson’s framework, which has already been longlisted for the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year, enables organizations to navigate this tricky terrain, ensuring they harness failure’s transformative potential.

Seeing Others: How Recognition Works―and How It Can Heal a Divided World by Michèle Lamont: Put the powerful force of recognition to work in your organization. Harvard University professor Lamont underscores the importance of seeing and valuing others in an era marked by rising inequalities. As businesses aim for inclusivity and broadened horizons, prioritizing recognition could be the key to bridging divides and fostering unity.

Precarious Ties: Business and the State in Authoritarian Asia by Meg Rithmire: Understanding political-business dynamics is crucial, especially when engaging with rapidly developing Asian economies. Rithmire, a professor at Harvard Business School, examines the evolution of these ties in Indonesia, Malaysia and China, presenting invaluable insights for businesses operating in or with these regions. It’s not just about economics; it’s about the complex interplay of power, policy and profit.

Diversity Dividend: The Transformational Power of Small Changes to Debias Your Company, Attract Diverse Talent, Manage Everyone Better and Make More Money by Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio: Diversity is more than just a buzzword; it’s a strategy for success. Harvard Kennedy School Professor Cecchi-Dimeglio provides a data-driven approach to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion, revealing that the path to genuine organizational change may lie in small, yet impactful adjustments.

Data Is Everybody’s Business: The Fundamentals of Data Monetization by Barbara Wixom: Monetization strategies that make the most of the data at an organization’s fingertips are indispensable. Going beyond selling data, Wixom lays out a clear and engaging path for people across the entire organization to understand data monetization and make it happen, paving the way for sustainable growth.

This autumn, let redefinition be the north star guiding your business pursuits. These thought-provoking titles will guide your organization in reimagining its strategies, embracing change and setting visionary goals for the future.

By championing strategies that spotlight the evolving value of data, the importance of uplifting relationships and offer a renewed definition of success, organizations don’t merely keep pace – they lead the way in innovation and growth. Stern Strategy Group connects you with renowned thought leaders whose insights, strategies and management frameworks help organizations fuel growth and disruptive innovation to better compete in a constantly changing world. Let us arrange for these esteemed experts to advise your organization via virtual and in-person consulting sessions, workshops and keynotes.