The Corner Library

Book Recommendations | Books I’ve Been Reading

Lean management may have its roots in manufacturing, but as someone with extensive experience in the service sector, this book is invaluable for many reasons. It has enabled me to work effectively with clients in their environment, contributed to the customer value processes I developed at several companies, and reinforced the importance of mapping end-to-end processes to uncover impactful, measurable solutions that deliver value specific to each customer.

Engaging with employees at all levels to identify problems and suggest improvements is a core principle of lean thinking and not only does that drive ownership and accountability at the front line, but it also significantly increases employee and customer satisfaction. Regardless of your industry or position within a company, you’ll benefit from the principles in this book.

James P. Womack & Daniel T. Jones

This book encourages readers to define what success means to them personally and focuses more on purpose than external validation. As an older reader, I also appreciate it reinforces that success doesn’t have a timeline. We have been deluged with stories of the 20-something founder of a startup who sold the business for $1 billion, that can leave many people feeling like underachievers or inadequate.

There are certain traits such as emotional intelligence, resilience, and wisdom, that are only developed over time and grow in value as they are further cultivated. This, along with our experiences, are an asset in our business and personal lives. There are great tidbits throughout this book but the value of persistence and long-term thinking and encouraging people to pursue goals with confidence, regardless of age, is the highlight for me.

Daniel H. Pink

This book covers the journey businesses have taken from coveting left brained qualities during the Information Age until the current era of the Conceptual Age where success depends on innovation, creativity, and empathy. I think this has become increasingly relevant as AI has taken on more analytical and repetitive tasks in the workplace. Our capacity for critical and big picture thinking what drives true innovation and impact in everything from the development of new products to the way we serve our customers.

The author provides some good insights into how we can develop those skills through the Six Senses for Success. There are several things to learn from this but a couple of my favorites include balancing logical analysis with creativity and intuition (essential for critical and big-picture thinking) and thinking critically about problems to see broader connections across disciplines, which fosters innovation and strategic thinking.

Rich Karlgaard

Book recommendations and favorites I’ve been reading.