The old maxim “To grow your business, grow your people” has never been more relevant in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. Everyday the news presents a world in flux with societies around the world adjusting to “new normal”. Understanding this change and reacting to it is the primary role of leaders in any organization.

While Summer reading can be a light escape from the stress of work, this summer is more likely to be a time for deeper reflection on adapting our organizations and ourselves for the changing world. With that in mind, we’ve compiled this summer reading list with an emphasis on learning during change. 

Additionally, in light of current conditions in our hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, Align will donate all Amazon affiliate revenue from books purchased on this page to our local Second Harvest Food Bank (must use link on this page to receive donation). We’re excited to support their efforts to feed at-risk populations by matching donations.

Summer 2020 Business Books

The Invincible Company: How to Constantly Reinvent Your Organization with Inspiration From the World’s Best Business Models by Alexander Osterwalder

The Healing Organization: Awakening the Conscience of Business to Help Save the World by Raj Sisodia, Michael J. Gelb

The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time Book by Jim McKelvey

Fanocracy: Turning Fans Into Customers and Customers Into Fans by David Meerman Scott and Reiko Scott

#MeToo in the Corporate World: Power, Privilege, and the Path Forward by Sylvia Ann Hewlett

Bezonomics: How Amazon Is Changing Our Lives and What the World’s Best Companies Are Learning from It by Brian Dumaine

Beat the Crisis: 33 Quick Solutions for Your Company by Hermann Simon

Good Economics for Hard Times by Abhijit V. Banerjee, Esther Duflo

Summer 2020 Leadership Books

Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle

Leadership Is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say and What You Don’t– L David Marquett

The Gumbo Coalition: 10 Leadership Lessons That Help You Inspire, Unite, and Achieve by Marc Morial, Forward by Sheryl Sandberg

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo 

The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger

The Motive: Why So Many Leaders Abdicate Their Most Important Responsibilities by Patrick M. Lencioni 

Work Together Anywhere: A Handbook on Working Remotely—Successfully—for Individuals, Teams, and Managers by Lisette Sutherland, Kirsten Janene-Nelson

Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji

Summer 2020 Personal Development Reading List

Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein

Meditations: A New Translation by Marcus Aurelius 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple: 10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Panic, and Worry by Seth J. Gillihan Ph.D.

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We hope you will join us in supporting efforts to care for at-risk communities by purchasing through a link on this page or donating directly.