Book Reflections

 As the year draws to a close, I often look for books that don’t just summarize where we’ve been, but help frame where we’re going. Future Ready is one such book. It is practical, forward-looking, and deeply relevant for leaders navigating sustainability, resilience, and long-term ESG strategy in an increasingly complex world.

Rather than offering abstract theory, the authors focus on a simple but powerful idea: organizations must intentionally prepare for the future they are heading into—rather than reacting to it when it arrives.

1. Sustainability and Resilience Are Strategic, Not Peripheral
   One of the strongest messages in Future Ready is that climate, resilience, and sustainability cannot sit on the sidelines. They must be embedded into core decision-making, risk management, and long-term planning. Treating them as separate initiatives limits impact and weakens preparedness.
2. Complexity Requires Systems Thinking
   The book reinforces that today’s challenges—climate risk, supply chain disruption, workforce shifts—are interconnected. Addressing them in isolation no longer works. Future-ready organizations adopt systems thinking, understanding how environmental, social, and economic factors influence one another.
3. From Vision to Implementation
   What I appreciated most is the focus on execution. The authors move beyond aspiration and provide guidance on how organizations can define priorities, set measurable targets, and translate sustainability goals into operational reality.
4. Collaboration Is Non-Negotiable
   No organization becomes future ready alone. Cross-sector collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and shared ownership are recurring themes throughout the book—and rightly so. The future will be shaped collectively.

This book affirmed many practices I’ve seen work in real-world projects, and it sharpened my thinking in a few important ways:

• Strengthening long-term ESG planning that goes beyond reporting cycles
• Encouraging organizations to integrate resilience thinking into everyday decisions, not just crisis response
• Supporting leaders in asking better questions about future risks, capabilities, and opportunities
• Reinforcing the importance of collaboration and shared accountability across sectors
• Helping teams move from sustainability ambition to clear, actionable roadmaps

Future Ready is not about predicting the future. It’s about being prepared for it. For leaders, practitioners, and organizations working at the intersection of sustainability, ESG, and resilience, this book offers both clarity and practical guidance.

As we look ahead, being future ready will require intention, adaptability, and the willingness to rethink how we define success..

 As leaders, we often find ourselves stretched between vision and execution—wanting to grow impact without losing quality or purpose. Clone Yourself by Jeff Hilderman speaks directly to this challenge. It’s not about creating identical versions of ourselves but about building teams that understand, embody, and extend our vision. 

1. Empowerment Over Control:  True leadership isn’t about doing it all yourself. It’s about building capacity in others. Delegation becomes meaningful when people understand why they’re doing something, not just what to do. 
2. Documenting Knowledge Creates Legacy:  Systems and clear communication are powerful tools for sustainability. When knowledge is documented, teams can operate seamlessly, and leaders create continuity, something especially vital in large organizations or long-term environmental initiatives.
3. Culture Mirrors Leadership:  Teams take their cues from how leaders act, not what they say. Consistency, humility, and a commitment to learning set the tone for collaboration and accountability.
4. Letting Go to Grow:  Scaling impact requires trust—trusting people, processes, and shared purpose. As Hilderman notes, “You can’t scale if you can’t let go.” For sustainability professionals, this lesson resonates deeply: growth and balance go hand in hand.

• Strengthen mentorship pathways within teams to transfer not just knowledge, but judgment and purpose.
• Build structured systems that allow projects to thrive beyond individual involvement.
• Empower emerging leaders to take ownership of decisions that align with long-term ESG and sustainability goals.
• Model collaboration and humility, reminding myself that leadership grows stronger when shared.

Clone Yourself is a timely reminder that the most impactful leaders don’t just build projects—they build people. It reinforces the value of trust, shared purpose, and systems thinking, which together create teams that can carry a vision forward with clarity and confidence.

What drives extraordinary success? This question intrigued me as I picked up The Success Factor by Ruth Gotian, a book that dives into the habits and mindsets of high achievers across diverse fields. As someone deeply committed to growth and fostering success in others, I found its lessons profoundly relatable. Gotian’s insights reminded me of the foundational principles I’ve relied on throughout my career and offered new perspectives to integrate into my journey.

1. The Role of Passion and Purpose: Gotian highlights how true success stems from aligning your work with your passion and purpose. This resonates deeply with me. In my own career, I’ve found that my commitment to environmental sustainability and collaboration fuels my drive, even in challenging circumstances. When your work reflects your core values, the effort feels meaningful, not burdensome.
2. Continuous Learning is Non-Negotiable: The book underscores the importance of being a lifelong learner—a principle I live by. Gotian’s discussion about deliberate practice reminded me of my efforts to stay ahead in my field, whether by understanding emerging sustainability trends or learning from the diverse people I work with. Success, as she notes, is about consistently seeking growth opportunities.
3. Resilience and the Long Game: Another theme that struck me was the role of resilience. High achievers, Gotian argues, focus on long-term goals rather than short-term wins. This is particularly relevant in my work, where progress often requires patience and persistence, especially when tackling complex environmental challenges.
4. The Importance of Mentors and Networks: Gotian discusses how successful people actively seek mentors and cultivate networks. This aligns with my belief in the power of collaboration and shared knowledge. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to both learn from incredible mentors and give back by mentoring others. It’s a cycle of growth that benefits everyone involved.
5. Mindset Over Skillset: Perhaps the most empowering insight was the emphasis on mindset. Gotian’s research reinforces the idea that success isn’t about innate talent but about cultivating a mindset that embraces challenges and perseveres through adversity. This is something I strive to instill in my own coaching and mentoring.

This book has inspired me to:

• Revisit and refine my own habits to ensure they align with my long-term goals.
• Encourage mentees and collaborators to focus on purpose-driven work.
• Continue fostering a growth mindset in myself and others.
• Cultivate resilience by embracing the challenges that come with impactful work.

The Success Factor is more than a guide to achieving excellence—it’s a reminder that success is a journey shaped by purpose, persistence, and learning. It’s reaffirmed my belief in the power of aligning passion with action and has given me new tools to inspire others along the way.

Have you read The Success Factor? What lessons have you applied to your own journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections as we all strive toward meaningful success.

 Recently, I had the chance to read Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson, a book that explores different personality types and how they shape the way we communicate and interact. The concept of dividing personalities into four distinct colors—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—provided a simple yet powerful framework for understanding the people around us. As someone who has worked with diverse teams and stakeholders across the globe, this book offered several valuable insights that deeply resonated with me.

1. Understanding Communication Styles: One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of recognizing and adapting to different communication styles. Whether it’s a task-driven Red, an optimistic Yellow, a harmonious Green, or a detail-oriented Blue, understanding these nuances can make interactions more productive and meaningful. I’ve seen firsthand how tailoring communication can strengthen relationships and drive results, especially in high-stakes environments.
2. Empathy and Inclusivity in Leadership: The book reinforced a lesson I hold close to my heart: leadership is about meeting people where they are. By appreciating the unique perspectives and needs of each personality type, we can create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. This is especially important in my work, where collaboration across different cultures and sectors is key.
3. Leveraging Diversity for Success: The idea that each personality type brings something unique to the table resonated deeply with me. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the power of diverse teams—how combining different strengths and viewpoints leads to innovative solutions. This book reminded me of the importance of embracing these differences to achieve common goals.
4. Turning Conflict into Collaboration: Conflict is inevitable, but this book provided a fresh perspective: understanding the root of disagreements often lies in differing communication styles. By approaching conflicts with empathy and curiosity, we can transform them into opportunities for deeper understanding and collaboration.
5. Self-Awareness as a Leader: Reading Surrounded by Idiots also encouraged me to reflect on my own personality and communication style. It’s a reminder that effective leadership starts with self-awareness—understanding how my tendencies impact others and how I can adapt to bring out the best in my team.

This book has inspired me to:

• Enhance the way I communicate with diverse stakeholders, tailoring my approach to their unique styles.
• Foster stronger team dynamics by celebrating individual strengths and minimizing misunderstandings.
• Incorporate these lessons into my mentoring and coaching, helping others navigate interpersonal relationships with greater ease.
• Continue reflecting on my own leadership style to create an environment where collaboration and innovation thrive.

Surrounded by Idiots is not just a guide to understanding others; it’s a toolkit for fostering meaningful connections and driving collective success. It has inspired me to think more deeply about how I communicate and lead, and how small adjustments in approach can create big shifts in outcomes. As I move forward, I aim to integrate these lessons into my work and continue to grow alongside the teams and individuals I collaborate with.

What about you? How do you adapt to different personalities in your work or daily life? I’d love to hear your strategies and experiences as we all strive to communicate better and work more harmoniously.

Some books shift your thinking. Net Positive by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston is one such read. It challenges the traditional role of business—not just to do less harm, but to actively do more good. The core message is clear: businesses must aim to give more than they take, and this mindset is not only ethical—it’s smart strategy.

As someone who has worked at the intersection of sustainability and business for decades, this book resonated deeply with me. It reaffirms what many of us in the ESG space have long believed: that long-term success depends on aligning purpose with profit.

1. From “Less Bad” to “Net Positive”
   The authors argue that it’s no longer enough to reduce negative impacts. Companies must be regenerative—actively improving the well-being of stakeholders, communities, and the planet.
2. Leadership with Courage
   Polman’s experience as CEO of Unilever underscores the importance of bold, values-driven leadership. Leaders must be willing to challenge the status quo, take responsibility for their impacts, and be transparent about their journey.
3. Systems Thinking
   Sustainability isn’t a siloed effort. It’s about understanding the interdependence of social, environmental, and economic systems—and designing strategies that reflect that complexity.
4. Collaboration is Key
   No organization can become net positive alone. Cross-sector collaboration, engagement with communities, and inclusive stakeholder dialogues are all part of the path forward.
5. It’s Good for Business
   Perhaps most importantly, the book provides examples showing that sustainability and profitability are not at odds. In fact, companies that invest in long-term, inclusive practices often outperform those that focus solely on short-term gains.

• Continue embedding net-positive thinking into project design—ensuring environmental and social benefits are intentional, not incidental.
• Strengthen multi-sectoral partnerships, particularly those that amplify Indigenous and community voices.
• Mentor emerging professionals to lead with purpose, courage, and systems awareness.
• Promote ESG frameworks that balance business outcomes with long-term societal impact.
• Support organizations in shifting from compliance mindsets to value-driven sustainability models.

Net Positive is a timely, practical, and inspiring guide for business leaders, sustainability professionals, and anyone striving to build a better future through their work. It invites us to raise our ambitions—not just for compliance, but for contribution.

If you’ve read the book, I’d love to hear your takeaways. What does being a “net positive” organization mean to you?

Some books don’t just change your mind - they reset your values. Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, is one of those rare reflections that blend business acumen with a deep reverence for the planet. It’s part memoir, part manifesto, and all heart.

Chouinard’s journey from reluctant businessman to sustainability trailblazer is compelling—not because he set out to build a billion-dollar brand, but because he never compromised on his ethics. This book is a reminder that it’s possible to lead with both conviction and innovation.

1. Values are Non-Negotiable
Chouinard shows us that business decisions can—and should—reflect personal values. At Patagonia, environmental responsibility wasn’t a department. It was the business model.

2. Growth is Not the Goal
One of the most refreshing perspectives in this book is the idea that more isn’t always better. Quality, longevity, and purpose come first.

3. Leadership Through Action
Whether it's organic cotton, fair labor practices, or taking bold climate stances, Patagonia's story is about walking the talk. The book makes a case for leadership by example.

4. People Matter
The title says it all. Trusting employees, creating space for autonomy, and honoring work-life balance are not afterthoughts—they are central to productivity and purpose.

• Center purpose in every consulting and coaching engagement—help clients align impact with intention. 
• Encourage bold decisions in my projects, even when they challenge conventional norms. 
• Foster space where people are trusted to lead, learn, and grow in their own way. 
• Inspire leaders to act—not just write policies—when it comes to sustainability and equity.

“Work had to be enjoyable on a daily basis.”
— Yvon Chouinard
This book isn’t just about doing business - it’s about doing life. If you’ve read Let My People Go Surfing, I’d love to hear your reflections. What resonated most with you?