This year’s three best business books on leadership are fresh, persuasive, and arresting. Rooted in experience and rigorous data, new work by Sam Walker, Chris Fussell and Susan David supports a timeless and intuitive truth: that excellence is defined by the human values of flexibility, humility, and the courage.
Workplace and Business Trends
It’s All Cass Sunstein’s Default
Constitutional and administrative law professor Cass Sunstein believes that with a little intervention, we can all have the freedom to choose wisely. Over the years he has brought his insights of behavioral science into the realms of law, public policy, and regulation.
Best Business Books 2016: Talent & Leadership
This year’s best business books help to answer the question, “Is leadership an art or science?” While more studies and data improve our understanding of leaders and leadership, has it improved leadership quality? These three books offer answers to these questions and provide insights that are relevant to our everyday lives.
Hugh Herr Wants to Build a More Perfect Human
Computer scientist, mechanical engineer, and biophysicist Hugh Herr and his team create superior prosthetics that respond to subtle neural commands. A double amputee himself, Herr benefits from the improved functionality and fit while improving the lives and outlook of others around the world.
What Hiring Committees Can Learn from the NFL Draft
Professor Steven Whiting of the University of Florida and Professor Timothy Maynes of the University of Buffalo wanted to know if organizational citizenship correlates with performance. And if so, should it be a factor when considering a job applicant?
Younger and Wiser
When Paul Smurl left his job as Attorney and Management Consultant to become president and COO of Some Spider, he knew he’d need to acquire new skills and a new way to look at things. A mentor about half his age seemed like the answer. Here he describes his successful and fulfilling experience finding and building a relationship with Kareem Rahma.
What Gets You Up in the Morning?
Optimism and an eagerness to seize opportunities can be a far more useful source of executive inspiration than fear. “If jobs don’t give people the opportunity to fulfill these basic needs, many employees will leave — and the best are often the first to go.”
Buzzwords We Can Believe In
Popular buzz words and buzz phrases of the day can tell us a lot about workplace conditions. Often, they are brought to fore by the realities of the times. What do today’s buzz words of empathy and mindfulness tell us about our own working conditions?
We Don’t Need Another Hero CEO
What is the most important factor contributing to an organization’s ability to thrive? Is it the risk-taking Hero CEO or collaborative teams? Financial Times columnist Herminia Ibarra traces the divide between manager and leader to Abraham Zaleznik.
Meritocracy without the Numbers
The move away from rigid performance reviews is an encouraging trend that began in Silicon Valley. However, no consensus has emerged as to what should replace it. The biggest concern appears to be that any new system will make the existing organization less meritocratic.