Huma Siraj
In 2025, leaders will have a lot on their minds. According to the World Economic Forum’s Meet the Leader podcast, the reading lists of numerous CEOs and change agents indicate that they discovered solutions in a variety of books.
These are a few books that have changed the way leaders think, act, and lead from Ivy League professors to CEOs of multinational corporations to start-up founders.
Tim Marshall’s book The Power of Geography
Suggested by: Angela Oduor Lungati, Executive Director of the international nonprofit organization Ushahidi
“I was blown away by that book because of the way he tells the story about how a country’s geopolitical position affects its interactions with other countries and their resources. At a time when it seems like we are deeply divided, we are discussing cooperation in the intelligent age. Knowing what might be causing some of these difficulties will also help us consider how we might change it.”
Setting a Price for the Priceless written by Paula DiPerna
Suggested by: Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP, an environmental disclosure platform
How can we begin to consider land use, forestry, and water as factors that have a significant economic impact? The financial hazards associated with weather changes are just as important as the obvious effects they have on our planet. Considering how Earth-positive economics begins to become the new standard is one of the things CDP is working on. It’s about incorporating those previously unpriced items.
Walter Isaacson’s Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
Suggested by: Sanjeev Mankotia, CEO of GaeaStar, a business that pioneers the use of novel materials through additive manufacturing
“The discussions we’re having today are exactly the same issues that people were dealing with back then. The main ideas and concepts are the same, if sometimes in a different flavor. These ups and downs are a necessary element of the long game. It may appear to be whiplash if you are too close to the instability. However, it is trending in the right direction when viewed from a distance.
Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “The Message”
Suggested by: Jumana Al Hashal, CEO and co-founder of voltair.ai, a business that develops solar-electric refrigeration systems with AI capabilities to assist transport food more effectively and with lower emissions
It has nothing to do with technology or the climate, but it did make me reflect on how I may help save the world as a technologist. We all want to save the planet, but what part do we play in accepting reality as it is? And how does that liberate our job and make it much easier for us to work?
The Vagina Business by Marina Gerner
Bloomer Technology is recommended by Alicia Chong Rodriguez, founder of a wearable healthcare technology business.
It is amazing to read a book that compiles so much information about the history of the fight for women’s rights. We are building a world that includes everyone, not just a chosen few. And health is the new wealth. This book presents a variety of perspectives on women’s health and how businesses can alter the things we have seen throughout our lives.
Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger: A Journey into the Mirror World
Suggested by: Nathan Méténier, Co-Director of the Youth Climate Justice Fund, an initiative to support youth-led international environmental solutions
Understanding the current situation of our democracies and the disparities that exist in the world is very amazing. We are strongly encouraged to think beyond the confines of our industry and to actively interact with those who hold different opinions from our own. Because if we don’t, we push so hard that there will be an excessive amount of backlash, which will negate a lot of the gains.
David Deutsch’s book The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Change the World
Suggested by: Harvard University cognitive scientist Steven Pinker
He works as a physicist. Among other things, he is an expert in quantum computing. However, it provides a logical foundation for the concept of progress itself. How is that possible? And I believe that more than anyone else, he has considered what it is about the nature of reality and ideas that allows for advancement.
Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long’s book The Molecule of More
Suggested by: Kian Katanforoosh, CEO of Workera, a platform for workplace growth and talent management
“It discusses how many entrepreneurs strive to solve issues and turn unknowns into knowns, and you tend to be competitive and try to find another unknown and solve another problem.” I came to the realization that I constantly strive to achieve my goals and forgot to enjoy when we do. I so promised my teammates that we would celebrate our victories whenever we could.
Sid Bernstein and Arthur Aaron’s It’s Sid Bernstein Calling
Diallo Powell, CEO and co-founder of the vertical parking startup Stak Mobility, suggests
This isn’t your normal founder narrative. As Woodstock’s promoter, he had a vision for the future of the music business and completely transformed it. I want entrepreneurs to be motivated, self-assured, and aware that there will be many setbacks along the route.The book goes into great detail about how many times he has failed; even after a huge success, the next step was a huge failure, yet he kept trying again and taking more chances. And I believe it’s the part of the book that most resonates with me.
Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga’s The Courage to Be Disliked
Suggested by: Liz Centoni, Cisco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience Officer
The agency and power we possess are things we rarely discuss. You don’t have to participate in groupthink when you are aware of your agency. Being acknowledged and having the loudest voice in the room are not the only goals. It’s about making an effort. It’s about realizing the power and agency that come with being authentic.
Caroline Fleck’s book Validation: The New Psychology of Influence
Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, suggests
She works as a therapist and researches ways to help people feel heard and seen. Additionally, I believe that the skills she teaches are just as crucial for leaders and workers as they are for people managing friendships at home, parents interacting with their children, and perhaps even husbands, wives, and partners.
Carol S. Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Suggested by: Alfred Stern, CEO of OMV, an energy and chemicals firm
“I believe that everyone needs a growth attitude now more than ever. acknowledging that while none of us are born with the ideal skill set, we can all learn from one another, develop from mistakes, and see obstacles as chances to improve. People will truly get larger every day and be able to accomplish more and more as a result.
Dan Sullivan’s Who Not How
Suggested by: Ayumi Moore Aoki, founder of Women in Tech Global, a group that aims to empower and educate women in technology
It’s a great book, in my opinion, because it demonstrates that you don’t need to be an expert at everything. If you surround yourself with the appropriate people, you can accomplish things.
Oliver Burkeman’s Meditations for Mortals
Suggested by: Mohit Joshi, CEO of Tech Mahindra, a global provider of information services and consulting
Everybody has bad days. However, we always imagine that there will be a period in the future when we won’t have any problems. And we become nervous or agitated when we don’t get there. One of the most important lessons I took away from this book was that life will never be trouble-free. Therefore, we should accept that there will always be difficulties and wonderful times in life. Life will become extremely boring after those problems are resolved.
Adrienne Maree Brown’s book Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good
Suggested by: August’s founder, Nadya Okamoto
“The book that has had the biggest impact on my career.” In essence, it’s about how capitalism has made us into unhappy, utility-obsessed robots, and that the greatest way to take back control of your life is to rediscover pleasure in your work and sex. Your perspective on how you spend your time and who you surround yourself with may shift as a result.
Viktor E. Frankl’s various works
David Steinbach, CIO of the international retail investment management firm Hines, suggests
“As a Holocaust survivor, he frames many events in a way that makes some of his writings quite impactful. What is the core meaning of life for you? I don’t think excellent leadership is possible without a well-informed “why,” as well as a well-informed purpose and meaning. You are able to reframe any scenario once you have your meaning and your why. Finding their purpose and ultimate significance is, in my opinion, the most important thing for any leader.
