Three Books I'm Reading This Summer

Summer has finally arrived - but what a special summer it is. 

COVID-19 is still here, the fight for equality is still unfolding, and the International Monetary Fund's World Uncertainty Index has reached it's highest point of the past 60 years.

What are we to do?

My answer? Educate ourselves!


So today I want to share 3 books that are on my desk (nightstand, terrace table) this summer - and invite you to share yours:

Book #1: "Green Swans: The Coming Boom in Regenerative Capitalism" by the amazing John Elkington

Written by the godfather of the sustainability movement and one of my personal heroes, "Green Swans" is a book for pragmatic optimists looking for great examples of capitalism, reinvented.

Building on the concept of "black swans," John Elkington puts forward a beautiful agenda: "If Nassim Nicholas Taleb's "Black Swans" are problems that take us exponentially toward breakdown, then "Green Swans" are solutions that take us exponentially toward breakthrough."

And on a personal note: I cannot believe our global community of reinventors (yes, you and me!) made it into this book as one of the hopeful solutions. Incredibly moving and humbling at once!


Book #2: "An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System" by the Pulitzer Prize Winner Matt Richtel 

I got this book during the last in-person stop at our local book store in February - and what a magical read it is becoming in the time of the global pandemic!

The most important take-away so far (I am only about 1/3 into it) - our immune system is less like a war-filled fighting machine - and more like a peace-keeping harmonizing friendship-building enterprise. 

Just changing this metaphor has already helped me imagine a different relationship with my body. And of course, top-notch factual reporting is made only better by personal stories. Yes to such reading!


Book #3: "Elastic: Unlocking Your Brain's Ability to Embrace Change" by the remarkable physicist-turned-storyteller Leonard Mlodinow

Written for everyone who wants to move from resistance to reinvention mindset, this very-easy-to-read but scientifically solid book is all about understanding our biology in relation to change.

Good news: what our global reinvention movement has been preaching for years is only confirmed by science. We are wired to reinvent. All we need is to claim that ability back after years of conditioning towards stability and certainty. 

And when that happens, we burst with courage and renewal.

Seems to be exactly what we need these days ))) 

And finally, there is one more book I am reading this summer more than anything else: the draft of my new one, coming October 2020.

Titled "The Chief Reinvention Officer Handbook: How to Thrive in Chaos," this collaborative tool-filled project has taken over my life as we are in the final 5 weeks of polishing the frameworks, fixing the illustrations, and adding new cases.

So, I have a question for you: would you like to get more behind-the-scenes stories of writing this book? 

I am happy to share the steps, mistakes, and lessons learned as this is my third book - and answer any questions you might have.

Just let me know what would be helpful - and I promise full transparency, warts and all)))

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Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva helps companies such as Coca-Cola, Kohler, and IBM turn change and disruption into an opportunity.

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