Accel5®’s Business Book Summaries of the Month: September 2021

Add these Business Book Summaries from Accel5 to your September reading list.

Check out the most recently summarized collection of business books covering various topics such as leadership, human resources, work-life balance, racial justice, and more, all summarized to be enjoyed in minutes!

The Work-Life Balance Myth by David J. McNeff
Many people feel that their work and personal lives are out of balance in today’s busy world. The unfortunate reality, however, is that creating balance is impossible. In The Work-Life Balance Myth, David J. McNeff shares the Seven-Slice Method — a new way to contextualize your life and manage stress. This technique will enable you to be present in each part of your life, leading to greater harmony every day.

Beyond Great by Arindam Bhattacharya, Nikolaus Lang and Jim Hemerling
The organizations that will thrive in the coming years will do so because of their ability to navigate technological, economic and social change. Those organizations will be adaptive, high-performing and resilient in the face of disruptive forces. They’ll be capable of delivering value to their customers while improving the communities around them. These qualities may seem like tall orders but in Beyond Great, Arindam Bhattacharya, Nikolaus Lang, and Jim Hemerling provide nine actionable strategies to help leaders prime their organizations for success.

Urgent! by Dermot Crowley
If the pressure to meet deadlines in rapid succession, be available 24/7, and stay on the cutting edge of the latest technology makes you feel like the pace of modern work is leaving you in the dust, you’re far from alone. In Urgent!, Dermot Crowley argues that it’s time to challenge the assumption that a fast-paced, high-stress work environment motivates people to get more done. He presents an alternative approach to urgency to help organizations sustain quality work, innovative creativity and positive cultures in the long term.

Stronger Through Adversity by Joseph A. Michelli
No organization is immune to challenges, but the challenges given to leaders over the past 20 years have been especially trying. Companies, departments, and teams have fallen apart in the wake of the financial meltdown, market crashes, terrorist attacks, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has proven to be the most immense social, humanitarian, and business crisis in generations. In Stronger Through Adversity, Joseph A. Michelli shares his studies of organizations that have thrived through times of hardship. He offers lessons from numerous leaders that can help any organization respond to trials and find its footing for long-term success.

Racial Justice by Harvard Business Review Press
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are gaining traction in many workplaces, however, many organizations continue to cling to ineffective programs, favor the right words over the right actions, and ignore the true causes of bias and division among the people they employ. In Racial Justice from Harvard Business Review Press, 11 experts take on these topics and offer advice for leaders and professionals who seek change. They share articles that can help leaders understand what it means to take meaningful actions and how and why they must change and support their teams. They help professionals speak up and out about the racism, bias, and discrimination that continue to prevail in their environments.

Creating Introvert-Friendly Workplaces by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D. 
In Creating Introvert-Friendly Workplaces, Jennifer B. Kahnweiler asserts that despite half the working population identifying as introverted, traditional workplace culture still unfairly prioritizes and rewards extroverted personalities, limiting the productivity potential of the workplace. By understanding introversion and striving to create inclusive environments, your organization can make positive changes and unlock the full potential of introverted workers, improving productivity and driving results.

Agile HR by Natal Dank and Riina Hellström
Today’s workplaces require Human Resources (HR) departments that are flexible and agile, creating shared value for organizations, employees, and end customers. In Agile HR, Natal Dank and Riina Hellström share how adopting Agile methodologies can allow HR departments to co-create change with employees, break down complex problems into small slices of value, and keep the customer at the center.

Birds of All Feathers by Michael Bach
Diversity and inclusion efforts are more than “the right thing to do.” Genuine efforts are good for nations, organizations, and the individuals who inhabit them. In Birds of All Feathers, Michael Bach shares his observations on what diversity and inclusion mean — and can mean — in our society among people with different sets of morals and values. He explores models that employers can use today to effect change, foster respect and equity, and ensure every workplace member can find a comfortable place to inhabit.

The Art of Caring Leadership by Heather R. Younger
In The Art of Caring Leadership, Heather R. Younger explains how being more caring can help all leaders better themselves, their employees, and their organizations more successfully. She defines caring leadership as the daily actions leaders take to show concern and kindness for those they lead and stresses the impacts it can have on employee loyalty, productivity, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, organizations’ bottom lines. By adopting nine common behaviors, leaders can connect more closely with their teams and help their organizations thrive.

Leading with Character by Dr. Jim Loehr
Most leaders fail to leave meaningful legacies because they’re more concerned with their own success than with the welfare of others. In Leading with Character, Dr. Jim Loehr demonstrates that the key to becoming an exceptional leader is improving your moral system to always act with compassion, kindness, and generosity. By adopting Loehr’s techniques for strengthening your moral competencies and creating a personal philosophy to guide all of your moral decisions, you can become the kind of leader who makes the world a better place.

Accel5 features hundreds of business book summaries, videos and articles from top authors and publishers, covering a wide range of business topics to help enhance both personal and professional soft skills.