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Business leaders know that professional growth means constantly encountering new ideas and exploring new areas of expertise. So, what’s on your reading list? We asked Carson College of Business faculty and staff to recommend a book they’ve read recently that introduced new perspectives, concepts, and approaches—and to explain why they think it’s relevant to today’s business world.
Interim Dean’s Recommendations
Still Life: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
Author: Louise Penny
Recommendation by: Debbie Compeau, Interim Dean, Carson College of Business
Subject: Crime/suspense fiction
Reason for recommending: I chose this novel for a couple of reasons. First: As a citizen of Canada as well as the United States, I want to promote great Canadian fiction. Still Life is the first of a series of detective fiction novels set in a small town in Quebec. Second: The protagonist, Armand Gamache, head of homicide for the Quebec police, has a great philosophy on the development of wisdom. He says we must say—and mean—four things: "I don't know. I need help. I'm sorry. I was wrong." Excellent advice for any leader!
The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity
Authors: Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott
Recommendation by: Debbie Compeau, Interim Dean, Carson College of Business
Subject: Self-improvement
Reason for recommending: I read this a few years ago, and I find it continues to shape my thinking about education and careers in a society characterized by increasing longevity. The authors do a great job of surfacing the assumptions behind our current "three-stage” life (education, work, retirement) and demonstrating how the realities of our longer lives make these assumptions untenable. They then propose alternative models for how we might shape our careers and our learning to better fit this new environment.
Associate Dean’s Recommendation
Invisibles: The Power of Anonymous Work in an Age of Relentless Self-Promotion
Author: David Zweig
Recommendation by: Cheryl Oliver, Associate Dean, Professional Programs
Subject: Career and workplace culture
Reason for recommending: In a time of influencers and being seen, take a deep look into the meaningful work of the invisible millions who thoughtfully influence our behaviors, support our safety, and impact the world—all with our best interests in mind. Ride along for job shadows on fascinating career journeys and learn what makes some of our least obvious but most significant systems work.
Graduate Programs Faculty Recommendations
Collaborating for Our Future: Multistakeholder Partnerships for Solving Complex Problems
Authors: Barbara Gray and Jill Purdy
Recommendation by: Paul Skilton, EMBA Strategy and Organizational Design
Subject: Business management, strategy, and planning
Reason for recommending: Gray and Purdy explore the challenges of creating and participating in multistakeholder partnerships trying to address big, wicked problems like health care delivery, poverty, human rights, watershed management, education, sustainability, and innovation.
Author: Thomas Y. Choi
Recommendation by: Paul Skilton, EMBA Strategy and Organizational Design
Subject: Supply network dynamics and challenges.
Reason for recommending: Choi presents the emerging paradigm of supply networks as complex, adaptive systems. Moving beyond the oversimplified supply chain metaphor, Choi addresses issues such as control vs. emergence, nexus suppliers, and cyber security, as well as how supply networks will evolve with increased disruption. Most importantly, he provides insight into the distributed nature of management in supply networks, where no government or key organization can exercise control.
Author: Walter Isaacson
Recommendation by: Dipra Jha, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion – Inclusive Pedagogy, Scholarly Associate Professor
Subject: Business/biography
Reason for recommending: This brand-new biography is a fascinating look at one of the most controversial innovators of our time. Great read for students and scholars of business.
Graduate Programs Team Recommendations
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
Author: Patrick Lencioni
Recommendation by: Matt Beer, Director of Master’s Programs
Subject: Leadership and management
Reason for recommending: The ability to build and lead teams is a highly coveted skill. This is a straightforward and accessible book that can help leaders at any level understand the most common threats to highly functioning teams and, as a result, what areas leaders should cultivate and focus on within their own organization.
Author: Michelle Tillis Lederman
Recommendation by: The Student Support Team
Subject: Career and personal growth
Reason for recommending: This book coaches leaders to cultivate authentic connections. Even the most introverted, networking-averse folks can learn to start conversations that will lead to reciprocal, engaging relationships.
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
Author: Brené Brown
Recommendation by: The Student Support Team
Subject: Self-help and personal growth
Reason for recommending: This book encourages readers to make peace with their imperfections. Dr. Brown offers guidelines on how to live wholly by balancing gut reactions with reason and connecting to others without competing. Comparison is the thief of joy, after all!
Contagious: Why Things Catch On
Author: Jonah Berger
Recommendation by: Mia Gleason, Assistant Director of Digital Media and Marketing
Subject: Social influence, marketing, and consumer behavior
Reason for recommending: It’s easy to find yourself stuck in the flow of popular trends, but how do we break away from the crowd and build our own viral presence, or how do we tell compelling narratives to get people talking about our product, our company, or our brand? Berger does an excellent job of breaking down the answers to these questions and shares the science behind how ideas spread and what makes content intriguing enough to go viral.
Speak with Confidence: Overcome Self-Doubt, Communicate Clearly, and Inspire Your Audience
Author: Mike Acker, EMBA Leadership Conference Presenter
Subject: Communication
Reason for recommending: This book offers tips and practical advice from Acker, an experienced keynote speaker and author, to help readers develop their voice, communicate with confidence, and captivate audiences and readers through persuasive and compelling messaging.
Author: Lauren Hasson, Carson College of Business and Office of Graduate and Online Programs 2023 Invited Speaker
Subject: Women in business, salary negotiation, and professional growth
Reason for recommending: In The DevelopHer Playbook, Hasson gives advice for women in tech on how to overcome challenges like imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and an evolving business landscape—and to get the most out of themselves, their earning potential, and their careers.
