New Books in the TMTC Library April - July 2021
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New Books in the TMTC Library
April – July 2021
Upstream
Dan Heath
So often in life, we get stuck in a cycle of response. We put out fires. We
deal with emergencies. We stay downstream, handling one problem
after another, but we never make our way upstream to fix the systems
that caused the problems ... [This book] probes the psychological forces
that push us downstream--including 'problem blindness,' which can
leave us oblivious to serious problems in our midst.
Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48549702-upstream
The Power of Geography: Ten Maps That Reveal the
Future of Our World by Tim Marshall
Tim Marshall
The prequel to this book, Prisoners of Geography, was a bestseller thanks
to the way that it so clearly identified the huge (and often undervalued)
significance of those geographic staples (mountains, rivers, deserts, seas)
in forming nations and alliances, and governing politics. Here, Tim
Marshall returns with The Power of Geography, offering ten new case
studies – Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Greece, Turkey, the Sahel, Ethiopia, Spain and space.
Once again, he demonstrates how his chosen states have been, and always will be, influenced by
geography, although this time with a closer eye on the future.
The nine countries (plus space) that make up the book have been chosen for their potential as
geopolitical hotspots. These are places where we can expect things to happen, and soon. The big
issues are all relevant here; these are places grappling with climate change, religion and struggles
over resources, and are, above all, figuring out their place in the new world order. All of them
operate in certain ways because of geography. Just as Britain will always be influenced by the fact
that it is a small island, so the mountains and coastlines of Greece will always shape its role in the
Mediterranean, while Australia’s location will ensure it keeps one eye on China and another on the
USA.
Marshall Books are excellent for anyone who takes satisfaction in understanding the world and who
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April – July 2021
harbours a fascination for the shifting alliances, not just within their own country, but in others, too.
Each segment of The Power of Geography is accessible, although by no means simple. Marshall
covers much ground, moving smoothly through each nation’s background, current struggles, and
options for the future. He considers the UK’s struggles to identify what being a foreign power means
post-empire, Saudi Arabia’s relations with the USA in an age where solar panels will replace oil,
Iran’s catch-22 (to liberalise and undermine its religious foundation, or double down and risk
protests from a dissatisfied youth) and more. A sharp and concise evaluation of today’s geopolitics.
Source: https://geographical.co.uk
The Code Breaker
Walter Isaacson
The bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs returns with a
gripping account of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna and her
colleagues launched a revolution that will allow us to cure diseases, fend off
viruses, and have healthier babies.
When Jennifer Doudna was in sixth grade, she came home one day to find that her dad had left a
paperback titled The Double Helix on her bed. She put it aside, thinking it was one of those detective
tales she loved. When she read it on a rainy Saturday, she discovered she was right, in a way. As she
sped through the pages, she became enthralled by the intense drama behind the competition to
discover the code of life. Even though her high school counsellor told her girls did not become
scientists, she decided she would.
Driven by a passion to understand how nature works and to turn discoveries into inventions, she
would help to make what the book’s author, James Watson, told her was the most important
biological advance since his co-discovery of the structure of DNA. She and her collaborators turned a
curiosity of nature into an invention that will transform humanity: an easy-to-use tool that can edit
DNA. Known as CRISPR, it opened a brave new world of medical miracles and moral questions.
The development of CRISPR and the race to create vaccines for coronavirus will hasten our transition
to the next great innovation revolution. The past half-century has been a digital age, based on the
microchip, computer, and internet. Now we are entering a life-science revolution. Children who
study digital coding will be joined by those who study genetic code.
Should we use our new evolution-hacking powers to make us less susceptible to viruses? What a
wonderful boon that would be! And what about preventing depression? Hmmm . . . Should we allow
parents, if they can afford it, to enhance the height or muscles or IQ of their kids?
After helping to discover CRISPR, Doudna became a leader in wrestling with these moral issues and,
with her collaborator Emmanuelle Charpentier, won the Nobel Prize in 2020. Her story is a thrilling
detective tale that involves the most profound wonders of nature, from the origins of life to the
future of our species.
Source: https://www.harvard.com/book/the_code_breaker
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April – July 2021The Ministry of Common Sense
Martin Lindstrom
A humorous yet practical five-step guide to ridding ourselves-and our
companies-of the bureaucratic bottlenecks and red tape that plague
every office
How often in your life do you spend time following a rule or a procedure that makes no sense, offers
little or no advantage, and slows you down in the process? In a world of work governed by a system
of well-intentioned rules, that is something that happens all too often.
In this book Martin Lindstrom - a global leader in branding and expert in organisational culture -
takes you behind the scenes at companies which are paralyzed and demoralised by a breakdown in
common sense. Lindstrom shares a five-step process for identifying and repairing these lapses,
showing that restoring common sense always cuts costs, boosts engagement, and increases
customer retention.
The stories in THE MINISTRY OF COMMON SENSE are entertaining, troubling, eye-opening, and
recognisable to anyone who works in or leads an organisation of any size. It is easy to get blinded to
problems right in front of you - but setting up your own Ministry of Common Sense will mean less
time wasted on unnecessary things, less mistakes and misunderstandings, and a better way of
working for all.
Source: https://www.hachette.com.au/martin-lindstrom/the-ministry-of-common-sense-how-to-
eliminate-bureaucratic-red-tape-bad-excuses-and-corporate-bullshit
The Conscientious Manager
Phani Medicharla
At the core of innovation and growth in any organization lies a driven and
motivated team player who needs to be constantly nurtured and ennobled
with a great value system and workplace ethics. The Conscientious Manager
brings out several dimensions of workplace dynamics through powerful
storytelling to help promote a sense of belongingness and synergy in the
workplace. The themes portrayed in the book are based on diversity, facing
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April – July 2021disruptions, ownership and accountability, importance of genuine feedback, learning from experts,
mentoring, professional gratitude, and others. By offering the readers
a holistic learning experience of workplace morals and dilemmas such as personal, interpersonal,
cultural and leadership, the book prepares them to face the workplace with empathy, respect,
commitment, and confidence.
Source: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-conscientious-manager-bala-phani-chand-
medicharla/1139755648
HBR: Guide to Beating Burnout
Harvard Business Review
The always-on workplace and increasing pressures are work leading to a
high rate of burnout. Unmanaged, chronic work stress does not just lead to
lower productivity and negative emotions—it can have dire personal and
professional consequences. Are you and your team at risk?
The HBR Guide to Beating Burnout provides practical tips and advice to help
you, your team, and your organization navigate the perils of burnout and
rediscover healthy engagement at work. You will learn how to:
• Understand the difference between normal stress and burnout.
• Keep your passion for work from leading to burnout!
• Avoid working from home burnout.
• Protect your high performers from burnout.
• Help prevent burnout on your team—even if you are burned out.
• Bounce back and regain your productivity and effectiveness.
Arm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, with the most trusted brand in
business. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart
answers to your most pressing work challenges.
Source:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hbr-guide-to-beating-burnout-harvard-business-
review/1136107688
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