Book Capsules, August 2023

Untapped Leadership: Harnessing the Power of Underrepresented Leaders Jenny Vazquez-NewsumPrometheus, 200 pp., $21.95

There are plenty of leadership books on the shelves of your local bookstore, but Untapped Leadership takes a different approach to the topic. Vazquez-Newsum—who has spent two decades designing and delivering leadership training—presents strategies and contributions from leaders from underrepresented groups. The diverse accounts demonstrate the need for different types of leadership in the workforce, but the book is not made only for underrepresented leaders. The book's strategies and stories are valuable for anyone aiming for more nuanced and contextual perspectives in the workforce.

Going on Offense: A Leader's Playbook for Perpetual Innovation Behnam TabriziIdeapress, 264 pp., $28.95

Innovation is key for organizations that don't want to fall behind. Based on a seven-year Stanford University study, this book gives readers an inside look into the transformative practices of 26 companies—for example, Apple, Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks—paired with steps readers can take to replicate their successes. Tabrizi also looks at the opposite end of the spectrum, examining companies he perceives as complacent and stagnant. What pitfalls have those companies fallen into? How can you avoid the same pitfalls? Going on Offense presents practical solutions for moving in the opposite direction and developing a "winning mindset."

The Association for Talent Development (ATD) is a professional membership organization supporting those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees in organizations around the world. The ATD Staff, along with a worldwide network of volunteers work to empower professionals to develop talent in the workplace.