The current times mark a crucial juncture in the world order. The Covid-19 pandemic has compelled businesses to take some drastic steps but the next year will be even more critical. At this point in time business executives must sharpen their leadership skills and keep their knowledge acumen updated about the upcoming business and technology trends.
Here are seven must-read, contemporary books recommended by Gartner, covering a broad range of issues, to help business leaders tackle the societal and business challenges.
The Real Business of Blockchain, by David Furlonger & Christophe Uzureau
In the aftermath of the pandemic the uptake of Blockchain technology by businesses globally, has been accelerated substantially. This book authored by Gartner analysts, Uzureau and Furlonger is a practical guide that help executives to assess the impact of Blockchain on their business, explore the technology’s value proposition and aides them in making the right investment.
The Connector Manager: Why Some Leaders Build Exceptional Talent — and Others Don’t, by Jaime Roca and Sari Wilde
Here’s another book by Gartner experts based on vast researches spanning multiple years and covering thousands of employees. The authors uncover four different types of managers usually found in a business organization, but they focus on the “Connector Manager” who can boost performance by 26%. The book explores their approach of working in minute detail. If you want to enhance the performance of your employees, then this is definitely a must-read.
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-A** Boss Without Losing Your Humanity (2nd Edition), by Kim Scott
Managers have to walk a tight rope, challenging team members while practicing empathy. In this book, the authors advice managers to be radically candid. The book expounds on the management philosophy of “Radical Candor” and how it helps leaders to build cohesive teams, create a culture of positive feedback and finally achieve the desired results.
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results, by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
In a business, there are always a thousand things going on, but the best leaders know how to prioritize and focus on the issues that matter most at that point in time. This book teaches its readers how to master the art of focusing on the most important matters. The book has already helped businesses to boost sales and made coaching and training more productive.
Business Data Science: Combining Machine Learning and Economics to Optimize, Automate, and Accelerate Business Decisions, by Matt Taddy
This book reminds us the value of applying econometrics and simple machine learning models for solving real business problems. The author explores the domain of data science in great detail and shares valuable advice regarding using machine learning to implement business data science. In the “new normal” where data is being regarded as the most important treasure for businesses, this book is absolutely unmissable.
The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World, by Jeff Goodell
This book has just one focus – water. The author addresses questions like how and why the water will rise above sea-level and the overall impact of this on the whole planet and its residents. Since climate change has been projected as the next big crisis the world is about to face, business leaders should read this book to develop an understanding of how it will affect their business.
Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation, by Tim Brown
The author of this book, Tim Brown is widely considered as “the father of design thinking”. Originally published decades ago, Brown has recently updated the book in the light of contemporary developments. In this book, Brown explains how design thinking is basically a human-focused approach to problem solving. He further expounds on how design thinking can change the ways in which companies develop products, processes, services and strategy and help businesses and the society to face important challenges.
