At the ICSI Colloquium in May, in keeping with tradition for the past 3 years, I was pleased to give away 10 books, picked from my best of the best list. Some have been reviewed, but some have not. This does not make them less valuable. In response to inquiries, here’s the list, in no order of importance, with a dramatically Twittered description, for your perusal:

• The Innovator’s Prescription by Clayton Christensen
  A fascinating and perhaps to some controversial perspective on the need to transform health care and the changes necessary. His focus on disruptive innovations, and the models of intuitive medicine, value added medicine, and precision medicine, provide a diagnosis and prescriptions, which while perhaps unsettling, are worthy of considering.
  
  
• Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard Thaler
  Building on other books on human behavior, this is a fascinating look that addresses what influences and impacts our decision making process. If you enjoyed Sway by Ori Brafman, or The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz, you’ll find this a truly valuable additional resource for understanding what drives our behavior in making life decisions.
  
  
• Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
  If you’ve ever wondered why some people are so successful, and others not, you must read this fascinating book which challenges the traditional attribution of great intelligence or skill as being the main determinant of greatness. If you enjoyed The Tipping Point and Blink, his previous works, you’ll find this incredibly compelling. It provided me with a whole additional perspective on my life—up to this point.
  
  
• The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki
  Reviewed previously, this book challenges the concepts of “experts” as the sole source of wisdom. Easily readable, this book has been a profound influence in my thinking on the collaborative model and how we approach collaborative work.
  
  
• Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition by Daniel Goleman
  Building on his book from 1997, Primal Leadership, this is an update on the concept of emotional intelligence and the need for new leadership skills. Very thoughtful, and a great overview of the concept of emotional intelligence—a critical element of our work in collaborative activities.
  
  
• The Secret Language of Leadership by Stephen Denning
  A different but perhaps ,in some ways, most important part of our work as leaders is the way in which we present communicate (use instead of present?) our views, inspire our workers, or engage our constituents. Differentiating between competitive and collaborative leadership, this is a practical approach to understanding the impact of our messages and the way we deliver them.
  
  
• Made to Stick by Chip Heath
  Reviewed previously, this book seemingly focuses more on marketing, it also identifies the elements important in making an idea “stick” and not be forgotten. Delightful, with many examples, this book provides a framework for thinking differently about how we might introduce our new health care initiatives if we want them to “stick.”
  
  
• The Opposable Mind by Roger Martin
  In this day of increasingly complex issues, it becomes essential that leaders not only provide focus, but also provide the environment and ability to deal with what may be opposing ideas, and use their abilities to ensure that we consider a “both/and” rather than an “either/or” approach to moving our organizations forward. Very thought provoking.
  
  
• Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges by C. Otto Scharmer
  Following his book with Peter Senge, Presence, this lengthy, somewhat academic tome discusses the model and method for reaching the “bottom of the U”—achieving shared vision/purpose—in addressing the complex problems we face. If you’re involved with ICSI initiatives, you’ll be hearing more and more about this, and we need to increase our understanding of how and when to apply this fundamental principle of addressing change.
  
  
• Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior by Ori and Rom Brafman
  Reviewed previously, this book has a similar intent as Nudge, but provides an eminently readable, thought provoking look at what drives us to make what are often irrational decisions, and the implications on our work. Much as in their previous book, The Starfish and the Spider, you’ll find this to be an easy to read, enlightening look on the vagaries of human behavior.

That’s the list, with some oldies but goodies, and some new ones to consider. Hmmm, I wonder what will make the list next year. Good reading and let me know what you think.