Book Reflections

 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.

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.

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?