Summer is the perfect time to kick back with a good book. That's why we're introducing our three-part Ivey Best of Summer Reads series on the best business books. Part One features picks from Ivey faculty members. Watch for future editions with recommendations from Ivey's Dean's Office, staff, and our library. We hope these books will keep you entertained, informed, and inspired.
Kanina Blanchard's pick
Kanina Blanchard is a lecturer in Management Communications
No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work
by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
Being emotional can be a professional strength. That’s why information designer and illustrator Liz Fosslien and organizational designer Mollie West Duffy created an illustrated guide to unrepressing your emotions at work.
Kanina Blanchard said the book left her shocked, smiling, and inspired to consider new approaches to tackling topics such as motivation, health, leadership, and handling stress.
“This is not a rigorous academic read, but it adds value by boldly shining the light on the realities of today's modern workplace. Visualizing email as the ‘Grim Reaper’ that stalks us on vacation has a somewhat humorous yet profound resonance,” said Blanchard. “If you are looking for an entertaining yet valuable read that can help you reframe your interactions with clients, colleagues, customers, employees and your leadership, this practical yet tongue-and-cheek approach is a winner.”
Eric Janssen's pick
Eric Janssen is a lecturer in Entrepreneurship
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
by Cal Newport
In an increasingly distracted world, doing work that matters and making yourself irreplaceable will depend on your ability to do deep, focused, thoughtful work. We're interrupted by hundreds of distractions a week, and often working hard, but not working smart.
Eric Janssen takes the advice from Georgetown University Professor Cal Newport to heart.
“Cal Newport gives practical, research-backed suggestions for how to cut out the distractions and allocate focused time to do meaningful work, or as I like to say, 'GSD' (get stuff done),” said Janssen.
Brandon Schaufele's pick
Brandon Schaufele is an assistant professor of Business, Economics and Public Policy
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers
by Ben Horowitz
Although Ben Horowitz co-founded Loudcloud (now Opsware), an enterprise software company, and Andreessen Horowitz, a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm, he says building a business isn’t easy. His book offers advice on building and running a startup and he illustrates his business lessons using lyrics from his favourite rap songs.
Brandon Schaufele said the book hooks you by opening with a rhyme from rapper Kayne West, but it’s also jammed with lessons for managers across a wide range of organizations.
“The takeaway: there is no recipe, no simple formula for guaranteeing success,” said Schaufele. “There are only hard things, or as Kayne says, ‘This is the real world, homie, school finished.'”
Jana Seijts' pick
Jana Seijts is a lecturer in Management Communications
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
by John Carreyrou
In 2014, now defunct blood-testing startup, Theranos, and its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, were on top of the world. Then it all came crashing down. Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou chronicles the rise and fall of Theranos from Silicon Valley darling to the recent fraud charges.
Jana Seijts said the book reminds us of the important link between ethics and communication.
“Carreyrou has researched and written a page-turner filled with greed, deception, and ethical lapses at every turn,” she said.
Yaqi Shi's pick
Yaqi Shi is an assistant professor of Managerial Accounting and Control
The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You
by Julie Zhuo
Being a manager is conceptually straightforward – except for the few million details. Julie Zhuo, Facebook's Vice President of product design, realized that when she became a rookie manager at age 25.
Yaqi Shi was taken by Zhuo’s candid, humble, yet humorous chronicling of the myriad of details she learned on the job. These ranged from profound considerations, such as understanding the difference between leadership and management, to mundane concerns, such as the need for sharing information.
“The ‘from the front lines’ managerial insights shared by Zhuo are practically relevant for any manager – whether novice or seasoned – irrespective of his/her business and operating context,” said Shi.
