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5+1 strategy books that helped me make sense of it

One of the biggest reasons strategies fail is confusion about what strategy actually is.

These books have helped me make sense of it. It’s not a “top 5” or a “must-read” list. Just a few books that made a difference for me in how I think about strategy and how I talk about it.

Maybe one or two will resonate with you, too.
(Clicking on the book’s name will take you to your local Amazon store if you’re interested.)

Playing to Win
by A.G. Lafley & Roger L. Martin

Insights from one of the world’s biggest and most successful companies on how they approach strategy. This book changed how I define strategy.

Good Strategy / Bad Strategy
by Richard Rumelt

The clearest lens I know to spot empty strategy talk. If you’ve ever sat through a strategy deck and wondered, “Is this even solid or only made to sound clever?” read this.

This is Strategy
by Seth Godin

Short riffs that challenge how you see strategy. Perhaps not what you’d expect from a strategy book. But that’s exactly why it’s needed. You will start to see strategy everywhere.

No Bullsh*t Strategy
by Alex M H Smith

If you’re frustrated with how some people make strategy sound like it’s an ancient art only for the enlightened, read this book. It strips away the terminological overhead and uses plain and simple English to make sense of strategy.

The PATH to Strategic Impact
by Dr. Michael Gerharz

Yes, that’s my own. Because strategy doesn’t work if people don’t get it. This book helps you say things clearly so that your team actually understands the damn thing and can act on it.

(Bonus)
Belonging
by Owen Eastwood

Not a strategy book per se. But a powerful reminder why strategy matters. Because people don’t just follow plans. They follow a sense of purpose and a place they feel part of.

—

Which other book would you recommend? Let me know!

Keep lighting the path!

The Art of Listening

Hi,

I’m back from my summer sabbatical.

Let’s start by catching up with some news for my german speaking friends: There’s a new book out which I contributed an article to.

A few weeks ago, my colleague Armin Nagel published a highly insightful take on the art of waiting. It’s called “Schöner Warten” (which roughly translates to “How to make more out of waiting”) and it’s a collection of unexpected perspectives on waiting.

I mean, let’s face it: a huge part of our lives is spent waiting, isn’t it?

We’re waiting for someone to show up. Or for them to leave.

We’re waiting for the green light. Or for someone to stand up and say “stop”.

We’re waiting for a meal.

Or that it’s our turn at the doctor’s.

We’re waiting for the pain to cease. The show to start. The phone to ring.

We’re waiting for him, her, them, or it.

Each and every day.

Why not make the best out of that time, right?

I loved that thought and didn’t hesitate a second when Armin asked me to contribute some of my thoughts to the collection. The piece is called “The Art of Listening”, an art that – as it turns out – can only be truly mastered when we master the art of waiting. If you’re interested, here’s the full text (in german)

There are more than 30 texts like this in the book – each of them looking at waiting from the most unexpected places. If you feel like you could make more out of your waiting time, head over to the book’s website to learn more: https://www.warteberater.de

How champions think

A book tip: “How champions think“ by Dr. Bob Rotella.

Don’t let the title mislead you. This is not one of these cheesy motivational bullshit books. It’s a profound read and the title is an actual description of the contents.

Dr. Rotella has worked with many top sports people, mainly from golf but also basektball, baseball and more. He describes what, in his experience, is different in how champions think.

So, this is not a “do this to get rich quick” kind of book.

It’s an analysis of how the most successful people approach their profession. The crucial bit is this: Once you see it, you can work towards it.

2 books that make the case that not all hope is lost

1. How to be perfect by Michael Schur

Who doesn’t want to be a better person?

My bet is that almost anyone reading this wants to. And yet, if you ever tried, you quickly discovered that this is harder than it should be.

Worse, it’s not going to help much to ask the experts – the moral philosophers – and dig deep into what they wrote because, well, have you ever tried? It ain’t easy. And certainly no fun!

Michael Schur’s book is different. It’s a book about how to do good, why you’re doomed before you even try, but why you should try anyway.

It starts really easy: “Should you punch your friend in the face for no reason?” I assume you can guess the answer. But make no mistake, it gets tricky immediately after. Yet, in a fun way – which makes sense as Schur is a Comedy TV writer who worked on The Office and created The Good Place.

Indeed, “How to be perfect” is a profoundly fun read. Schur manages what few others have managed: He’s written a book about philosophy for the rest of us with some actually practical recommendations.

And so – without spoiling too much – at least trying to be a better person is an option.

But then again, you look around and see all the mess that’s happening across the globe and you might think: Why on Earth should I even try? As everyone can see with their own eyes and as every media seems to suggest for as along as we can remember, humans are intrinsically selfish and mean.

But are they?

2. Humankind by Rutger Bregman

Rutger Bregman argues otherwise. He’s accumulated quite some evidence that the common view on humankind might not be that accurate. He looks closer at some of the best known arguments which seem to support the view that humans are inherently mean, such as the Standford prison experiment or the conclusions drawn from books such as “Lord of the Flies” and finds some surprising – and significant – flaws.

Bregman argues that no, if left to our own devices, we might actually not be cruel and murder each other for our own benefits. Most of humankind might actually be, you know, kind.

I’m not a sociologist. Neither a historian. So, I can’t really scientifically evaluate most of the claims in the book on either side of the argument. I’ll leave that to more knowledgable people in the field.

Yet, the reason I recommend you take a look at the book is slightly different: Whenever I speak with people about that book, the reaction is a heavy rejection of the idea. In every single instance that I tried, people were lightning-quick to look for reasons that counter Bregman’s arguments and conclude that “No, in fact, humans are not that kind … there must be some serious flaw in his arguments.”

Which might be the case. I’m not here to say who’s right.

But I’m here to suggest that it’s worth to have a look from the other side.

Spread the Word

Picture of Dr. Michael Gerharz

Dr. Michael Gerharz