Books Recommended by Business Leaders
Our 2023 reading list features books that have captured the attention of BCGers from around the world. Covering topics from climate and sustainability to AI, these recommendations offer the chance to look forward with optimism and reflect on what we have left to learn about ourselves and our planet. We hope that these book recommendations help you discover something new, find inspiration, or simply while away a quiet afternoon.
Interested in more reading and listening recommendations? Keep the content coming.
AI continues to grow exponentially and so does BCGers’ interest in it. These books recommended by business leaders highlight how we can use it effectively and responsibly.
The Equality Machine
“The Equality Machine is basically an optimistic point of view on how we can use digital and AI to make the world more inclusive. It provides a good counter-point to a lot of doom and gloom.”
Amanda Luther
Managing Director & Partner
AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future
“New digital technologies such as AI, GenAI, augmented/mixed/virtual realities are expanding the art of the possible. We now need to build these possibilities into existence. This book provides the necessary inspiration.”
Tolu Oyekan
Managing Director & Partner
Naturally, BCGers are still very much concerned with our warming planet. This book and podcast give a picture of how we can help stop global warming and how it came to be.
This recommended book gives the long view of the trend toward deglobalization.
As diversity, equity, and inclusion work continues, it is essential to keep learning. This BCGer recommendation offers a creative perspective.
A new category this year, it allows BCGers to recommend books that shine a light on what it means to be human in a complicated world.
Origin Story: A Big History of Everything
“This book tells the story of the entire universe (the 'big history') through the lens of multiple disciplines including astrophysics, anthropology, and biology, and more. It is a fascinating, insightful, and accessible read that helps us understand the past and change your perspective on the future.”
Magalie Aoun
Associate, CEO Ambassador
Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity
“After interviewing 300+ families, in this seminal book, Solomon explores the lives and communities of people with a variety of horizontal identities (traits not typically passed down vertically from parents such as deafness, dwarfism, autism, and often treated as flaws). The stories of how being different is a quality, not a deficiency, are incredibly moving —as are the countless examples of caregivers and communities transcending prejudice and hardship with love.”
Nadjia Yousif
Managing Director & Partner, Chief Diversity Officer
Humankind - A Hopeful History
“Rutger Bregman: Humankind - A Hopeful History... no book has given me a more hopeful position regarding the true nature of mankind and our eventual ability to come to our senses.”
Felix Schuler
Senior Advisor
Les Misérables
“Les Misérables has stood the test of time because it speaks to absolute, timeless truths. Early 19th century Paris was riven with poverty, structural gender and racial disparities, and the generational impact of conflict and war. Despite this unrelenting chaos, we see in Jean Valjean the vast impact of a single life lived in pursuit of redemption, mercy, justice, and grace. Les Misérables reminds me that in a chaotic world, pain everywhere is an occasion for goodness always.”
Michael McKissack
Principal, CEO Ambassador
Personal growth is part of growing your business. These reading suggestions will help leaders understand what may be holding them back.
Mistakes Were Made (but Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
“This book is about confirmation bias. It reveals how we stubbornly cling to beliefs despite evidence to the contrary (e.g., climate change denial, vaccine conspiracy theories). It unveils the cognitive triggers behind our resistance to changing our views, shedding light on why people invest significant time in fruitless pursuits, and ultimately providing valuable insights into our human psyche.”
Vinay Shandal
Managing Director & Senior Partner
The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore
“This is not a new book, but my suggestion is The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore, by Michele Wucker. We often talk about uncertainty in the business environment, but what I observe is that people often see what’s coming, but ignore the threat for various reasons. The future is in our hands even today, if we recognize and act on these threats.”
Ryoji Kimura
Global Leader - Corporate Finance & Strategy Practice Area
We count on former BCGers to enrich our world. Here, some of them have contributed their own suggested reading for business leaders.
The Power of Full Engagement
“I love The Power of Full Engagement, by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. The book offers a simple, but highly powerful framework for self-awareness and management of states of energy. It provides a simple approach to proactive and intentional goal-setting for the things that are within your control in life. It's fair to say that it has had a transformational impact on my life since I first read it nearly 20 years ago.”
Pete Wheelan
Founder CEO, Wheelan Advisory Group (BCG Chicago Office 1996-1998)
Caesar: The Life of A Colossus
“In recent years, I’ve found more inspiration from classic literature than business books. This biography illustrates the magnificent life of Gaius Julius Caesar, probably the most influential person throughout Roman history. While providing rich details and stories about the last period of Senatus Populusque Romanus, this book can inspire business leaders about how to become a great and charismatic leader, to drive transformation in a huge organization and in a complex environment, and to overcome obstacles at any cost.”
Jerry Xia
Vice President at Fanshu (BCG Shanghai Office 2010-2017)
As Alan Iny’s groundbreaking book, Thinking in New Boxes, turns ten years old, he had this to say about recommended reading for business leaders.
"My recommendation for a compelling read is to try something new. Try a genre you haven’t tried in years, watch a random TED talk, grab a magazine you don’t normally read, or just ask someone what the last book they read was. The idea is to broaden your horizons and challenge your usual ways of thinking, and provide some fresh fodder for your brain. It’s a beautiful way to help spark creativity and make new connections.”
Alan Iny
Partner & Director, Creativity & Scenarios
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As BCG celebrates 60 years of “unlocking the potential of those who advance the world,” we are proud to feature some of the timeless books that continue to be an influential force in the business world and beyond.
