[April 21, 2015] The advantage all senior leaders should exploit for themselves is the reading of select books that expand their mind; exposing them to ideas that they neither agreed with nor heard of before. Currently, while the weather is producing a wonderful string of beautiful spring days, I have stumbled upon several good books in this category. Today, I offer you Joshua Cooper Ramo’s book that is both relevant and obligatory reading.
The Age of the Unthinkable, Joshua Cooper Ramo, 2009.
I picked up a well used copy of Ramo’s book (I buy new books that I know I will like) because I was not particularly keen on his journalism background and after reading his first chapter my thoughts were that I had made the right choice. My initial reaction to his ideas was that he was either outright wrong or grossly oversimplifying. Patience was required for me pull a thesis from the book and I do agree with it (that in a moment). His book is based on what some call Chaos Theory, but he does put things into a good storyline for his readers. Ramo is saying that traditional ways of doing things in international politics, business, the military, or in any endeavor are no longer working properly. He uses the War on Terror as an example and explains that while the West’s war on terror is making progress, it is also producing far more destructive and resilient terrorists with much stronger staying power. His solution is thinking in new ways, becoming more resilient in what we do, and tolerating minor setbacks. Ramo’s book will be on my recommended list nonetheless.
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