Essential Reads for Driving Change Successfully
Part 1 of this series focused on key stories of ‘what went wrong‘. Part 2 of the series focused on organizations that know how to get it right. Now part 3 focuses on how to make the change within your organization or your self.
- Smart Brevity is a wonderful book – in part because it’s brief! Keep your messaging simple and to the point. Think of delivering the “Bottom Line Up Front” BLUF. There are many other tips in this book along with links to software to test how succinct you are. These days Grok and Chat GPT can help you refine and write your message. Be concise!
2. Factfulness by Hans Roling is great book because it encourages a very data driven and objective way of looking at data. Too often we are fed partial data sets that twist the narrative. If we are to achieve the change we want, we must objectively measure ourselves. Be objective!
3. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information – by Edward Tufte. I have several books from Tufte and I particularly love the examples from pre-computing eras showing information visually. One of the most notable is a map of Napolean’s attempt to invade Russia that plots (diminshing) troop size with time, temperature and distance. There are many examples in here showing tons of creativity and insight – and those inspire me to display information effectively.
Tufte is also known for being critical of the overuse of ‘powerpoint’ citing the excessive use of powerpoint and the dumbing down of messaging as a factor in incorrect decisions by Nasa regarding the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. He also shows some great examples of unnecessary ‘visual clutter’. Reading these books will help you convey complex data effectively.
4. Managing Change by Todd Jick is an old business school book of mine (published 1993). Nevertheless Change is as timeless as is discomfort with change. I’ve always preferred doing the changing – rather than being changed! As such there are some great tips and case studies in this book. A great metaphor and chapter: “From Bogged Down to Fired Up – Inspiring Organizational Change!” Have I inspired you to read it?
5, 6, 7, The last 3 books are about the displicine of doing difficult things and the power to avoid distraction. The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg describes the reward and trigger loops that can work to distract us, but can be hacked to reward us once known and then creating new, positive habits.
The next 2 books by Cal Newport are essentially similar. Can we tame our impulse to react to the distracting triggers of email, social media etc. Cal has practical tips on how we can get the part we enjoy, without the addiction loop of doomscrolling – seeking that next dopamine hit. Our devices are getting smarter at allowing us to self impose limits. Harness your triggers for productive habits – avoid distractions!
What books help you achieve make the case for change and measure your success?
What’s in your library?
JF Insights 