I first heard of Peter Block from his 1981 book, Flawless Consulting. His later 2003 The Answer to How Is Yes is a book about finding meaning - here he challenges the obsession with technical solutions, processes, and step-by-step plans as a way to avoid personal responsibility and meaningful action. He argues that people often ask “how?” as a defence mechanism - seeking certainty, expert validation, or a foolproof plan - rather than committing to what truly matters. Block advocates for shifting the focus from “how do I do this?” to “what am I willing to commit to?” emphasising personal agency, ownership, and purpose-driven action. ...

What this book is about George Friedman is a geopolitical forecaster and strategist, known for his analysis of global affairs and forecasting, having founded Stratfor in 1996. In his 2009 book The Next 100 Years, Friedman presents a bold and provocative forecast of the major geopolitical events and trends that will shape the 21st century. Why read this book This book is essential for risk professionals as it provides a comprehensive understanding of potential future scenarios, helping them to understand the factors that shape geopolitical trends, and to help them to anticipate and mitigate risks in an ever-changing global landscape. ...

Video Learning from Author Brian Barnier, interview with Sarder TV Author’s website

The full book review is in progress. For early access and to let you know when the review is published, you can subscribe to the newsletter.

I first discovered David Maister’s books when I was with PwC in the mid-2000s, and being so early in my consulting career, his writing demystified much of language around the firm’s strategy for me. Few understand professional services like Maister, a consultant who has shaped the industry’s thinking. He has written numerous books on how to run firms, including Managing the Professional Service Firm (1993), The Trusted Advisor (2000) (co-authored with Charles H. Green and Robert M. Galford), and Strategy and the Fat Smoker (2008). ...