21 LESSONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

by Yuval Noah Harari

I’d read Yuval Noah Harari’s previous books, Sapiens and Homo Deus, which are full of fascinating insights into the past and future of our species. In 21 Lessons (Spiegel & Grau, 2018) he takes aim squarely at the present. He is as compelling and compassionate in his explanations as ever but focuses on surprising specifics to paint a broader picture. Whether it’s climate change, war, technology or religion, he has a knack for making daunting, complex issues relatable and understandable. It’s essentially a collection of essays, but it reads like a thriller.

I would recommend Harari’s books to anyone. They’re useful for people wondering about their place in the world, just starting to make their way in it or looking back on their life so far. They’re not traditional leadership books, but they’re full of useful leadership lessons. That’s because business is all about people, and so are these books—how we live together, work together, love together and change together.