Our 2021 Leadership Summer Reading List

We’re halfway through 2021, and the year has turned out to be another unprecedented year unlike any other. It’s been rough and unpredictable. Meanwhile, countries and companies have begun to consider what a post-pandemic future might look like. Now that it’s August, for those taking holidays our professional lives often slow down – even in the midst of a pandemic.

As part of our wellbeing series on taking breaks and taking time to disconnect, we have asked leaders from diverse fields across our global organisations about their summer plans. We’ve asked them to recommend books that inspire them, make them laugh, or provide a much-needed respite from the day-to-day hustle and bustle. Our hope is that this list helps you find new books to read in your down time and reflect and recharge for the rest of the year.

Corinne Ripoche, Regional President Adecco Group Americas

“I try to make sure I properly disconnect during holidays - no TV and limited social media so books are important,” Corinne said.

She recommends The Promised Land by Barack Obama, The Women With Silver Wings by Katherine Sharp Lannddeck, and Reimagining Capitalism In A World On Fire by Rebecca Henderson.

Preeti Bajaj, SVP Modis & Country Head of Australia, New Zealand

“I am sharing the books I am currently reading (based on personal interests) – I am reading “Misbehaving” by Richard H. Thaler. The book is described as an arresting, frequently hilarious account of struggle to bring economics back down to earth – and transform the way we think about ourselves and the world. The second book I am reading is “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. I was inspired by the words – ‘Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.’”

Cynthia Hansen, Managing Director of the Adecco Group Foundation

“First, although business books may not be on everyone’s summer list, I recommend the Culture Map by Erin Meyer, as it really shakes up biases and sheds light on why people behave in different ways. It is written in a conversational, accessible way that feels like chatting with a friend. Second, I just read The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell, whose writing I love. It is beautifully written, thought-provoking, and complex, with unexpected twists.”

Karin Reiter, Global Head of ESG/Sustainability at the Adecco Group

“Just one? I just moved and brought with me almost 30 boxes of books. I have a custom-made bookshelf. I think that says everything…But one of my favorites is probably still Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.”

Reshma Ramachandran, Global Head of Transformation at the Adecco Group

“I am big time into reading, and I read at least one book a week. So it’s not just one book – there are several books I can recommend for the summer (and beyond).

• Fear Less by Pippa Grange – a great read to discover our true potential, if we are truly free of fear
• Winning now, winning later by Dave Cote – highly recommended for everyone, not just leaders, in transformation. A narrative of Honeywell’s transformation
• The Extended mind by Annie Murphy Paul – rethinking intelligence
• Think again by Adam Grant – this is a good pair with the former book
• The heart of business by Hubert Joly – another great book on transformation, the true story of Best Buy transformation.”

Alberto Giovanni Busetto, Group Head, Data and Artificial Intelligence, Adecco Group

“The Book of Why by D. MacKenzie & J. Pearl is a great resource to learn more about data and AI (causality) in a way that is useful and accessible. Time is a bottleneck in life, and I promise you that reading it will be time well invested!”