10 Books That Inspired My New Book 'The Uncertainty Principle'
If you want to write books, you need to read books. That’s why I’m eternally grateful to the authors who’ve inspired me over the years with their insights and imagination. Their work has truly shaped the way I think and write.
Below is just a small sampling of the publications that influenced my latest business book, The Uncertainty Principle (link in comments), which I wrote to help business leaders turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.
So if you’re looking to fuel your own thinking this summer, I hope this list sparks something for you too:
📚 The Art of the Long View, by Peter Schwartz: A classic on scenario planning. Schwartz doesn’t predict the future, he teaches us how to prepare for it.
📚 The Upside of Uncertainty, by Nathan & Susannah Furr: Loved their idea of “uncertainty balancers”, how high-stakes risk-takers often seek stability elsewhere in life. Think Steve Jobs and his daily uniform.
📚 Why Would Anyone Want to Be Led by You?, by Rob Goffee: This book completely reframed my thinking on leadership, from technology-driven to people-driven.
📚 Hustle & Float, by Rahaf Harfoush: A powerful exploration of why non-stop productivity is killing creativity, and what to do about it.
📚 RISK, by Gen. Stanley McChrystal: A brilliant rethinking of risk and resilience that has changed how I approach both life and work.
📚 The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, by Richard Feynman: Feynman’s work reminds us: doubt and curiosity aren’t weaknesses, they’re fuel for progress.
📚 The Journey Beyond Fear, by John Hagel: Real courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the ability to move through it toward opportunity.
📚 God, Human, Animal, Machine, by Meghan O’Gieblyn: A fascinating look at how AI is reshaping our understanding of identity, meaning, and humanity.
📚 Loonshots, by Safi Bahcall: Great ideas need protection. Bahcall explains why separating innovation from the core business is essential.
📚 The Living Company, by Arie De Geus: What if companies acted more like living organisms than machines? A deep dive into long-term resilience.