In the quiet moments between business calls, deal negotiations, and strategic planning sessions, I found solace in a collection of books that shaped and refined my understanding of leadership, economics, and human potential throughout 2024. Each selection represented a deliberate step toward exploring the intricate interplay between personal growth and global impact.
This year, the themes of resource economics, authentic leadership, and innovative problem-solving emerged consistently across my reading list. Books like Cobalt Red and Energy: A Human History challenged me to consider the intersection of technological progress and human dignity. Meanwhile, Greenlights and Meditations offered timeless wisdom on authenticity and personal growth. Here’s a closer look at the books that left a lasting impact this year:
When Progress Meets People
Commencing with the book that left the most profound impact on me—Siddharth Kara’s “Cobalt Red.” Although it was my final read of the year, it resonated with me on multiple levels. As a technologist who navigates the intersection of investment and industrial development, this book transcended mere exposé. It illuminated the intricate challenges we grapple with in balancing technological advancement with human dignity—a persistent tension on the African continent. The cobalt mines of Congo serve as a mirror reflecting the challenges we encounter across Africa in diverse resource supply chains. Kara’s book reminded me of conversations with local community leaders in mining regions, and their enduring question: “How do we ensure that our minerals truly shape our future?”
Walking with Giants
The wisdom in Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" struck a familiar chord, echoing not just the counsel of our elders but some of the practical wisdom we've observed in African leadership. When Mandela spoke of leading from the back and putting others' needs first, or when Tutu emphasized ubuntu in governance, they were expressing principles that Aurelius grappled with centuries ago. Paired with Matthew McConaughey's "Greenlights," these works revealed how timeless principles of authentic leadership transcend both centuries and cultures.
Speaking of leadership, Robert Greene’s “Mastery” and Jack Weatherford’s “Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World” offered profound insights that resonated deeply. Both books highlighted the need for mastery across various spheres in Africa. Genghis Khan’s legacy continues to shape many aspects of our modern lives from trade and communication to political and legal innovations, as well as scientific and technological advancements. Greene’s insights about mastery through patient learning align with what I’ve observed in traditional apprenticeship systems from Tokyo to Timbuktu. Weatherford's insights about Genghis Khan's inclusive governance were particularly revealing, reinforcing how successful enterprises, and nations, thrive when they genuinely integrate different cultural perspectives.
Making Sense of Markets
In the realm of economics, Thomas Sowell’s economic trilogy Basic Economics, Wealth, Poverty, & Politics, and Economic Facts and Fallacies became my trusted companions during many late-night sessions and the occasional sojourn through a transit lounge. Sowell’s works illuminated how his wisdom applies to economic development across Africa and his analysis helped me decode patterns I was seeing in local markets and regional trade negotiations. As the continent works to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reading Sowell's insights about economic constraints and opportunities proved invaluable. For example our continent's challenging interior terrain has historically hindered the movement of people and trade on both water and land, but understanding this and other geographical, politcal, and cultural constraints will help us develop more effective solutions.
The Science of Connection
In the area of team building and culture, “Tribal Leadership” and “Who Not How” provided valuable gems. These books offered new tools to articulate my understanding of collective achievement and how to apply it to modern team building practices. This understanding of collective power deepened further with “Supercommunicators” by Charles Duhigg and “How to Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan which opened new windows into human connection and consciousness. They reminded me of the African tradition of ubuntu, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of our humanity.
Energy and Evolution
Reading Richard Rhodes’ “Energy: A Human History” while working on African energy development projects was quite enlightening. Whether discussing mini-grid solutions in rural communities or utility scale renewable energy initiatives in urban centers, it helped me perceive our continent's energy challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities for innovative solutions that balance progress and our aspirations. As the continent plays a larger role in the global energy transition, we must position ourselves to take advantage of the growth over the next few decades—from raw materials to manufacturing and services.
A Journey of Growth
Lastly, the year’s reading commenced with practical guides on achieving success—from Dan Sullivan’s “10x Is Easier Than 2x” to Steven Bartlett’s “The Diary of a CEO.” Both books enriched my comprehension of how to establish businesses that prioritize both profit and purpose, particularly in emerging markets like ours.
Looking Forward
As I bid farewell to my books for 2024, I am reminded by how each one contributed to a deeper understanding of leadership, personal development, markets, and global impact. They reinforced my conviction that our path forward lies not only in combining local wisdom with global insights but in creating solutions that encapsulate local contexts.
What excites me most is how these insights might shape our continent's next chapter. How do we build businesses that honor both our heritage and our ambitions? How do we ensure our resource wealth truly serves our people?
I'd love to hear about your own reading journey this year. Which books helped you navigate the year and the challenges you were solving for? How have they shaped your understanding of leadership in your context?
2024 Reading List
- Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives by Siddharth Kara. A powerful exposé on the cobalt mining industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the human cost of technological progress. Kara’s work is a call for ethical accountability in global supply chains.
- Tribal Leadership by Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fischer-Wright. A guide to understanding and transforming organizational culture through leveraging natural groups or “tribes.” It offers actionable insights for leaders building cohesive, high-performing teams.
- Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Focused on collaboration over individual effort, this book underscores the power of finding the right people (“Whos”) to achieve ambitious goals.
- The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. A profound perspective on success, this book encourages celebrating progress rather than fixating on what’s left to accomplish.
- 10x Is Easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Sullivan and Hardy demonstrate how exponential growth is achievable through focusing on simplicity and leveraging strengths.
- Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg. A comprehensive look at effective communication strategies that enhance understanding and connection in professional and personal relationships.
- Energy: A Human History by Richard Rhodes. A detailed exploration of energy transitions across human history, offering insights into the forces shaping today’s global energy challenges.
- How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan. A thought-provoking journey into the science of psychedelics and their potential to revolutionize mental health treatments and consciousness.
- What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School by Mark H. McCormack. A practical guide to navigating the realities of business, filled with lessons on negotiation and human behavior.
- Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell. Sowell distills complex economic concepts into clear and relatable explanations, making this an essential primer for understanding global markets.
- Wealth, Poverty, and Politics by Thomas Sowell. A nuanced exploration of global income disparities, examining cultural, historical, and political influences on economic outcomes.
- Gut Check by Steven R. Gundry, MD. Gundry’s insights into gut health underline the connection between personal well-being and effective leadership.
- Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell. A sharp critique of common economic misconceptions, offering clarity on issues that often influence policy debates.
- Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. An inspiring memoir blending storytelling and life lessons, encouraging readers to embrace opportunities with courage and authenticity.
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Timeless wisdom on self-reflection and principled leadership from one of history’s greatest thinkers.
- Mastery by Robert Greene. Greene illustrates how greatness is cultivated through deliberate practice, historical insights, and a commitment to continuous learning.
- Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford. A fascinating study of leadership and innovation, revealing lessons from one of history’s most effective empire builders.
- The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life by Steven Bartlett. Bartlett’s candid exploration of modern entrepreneurship, leadership, and self-awareness offers practical lessons drawn from his personal journey as a business leader.