A nice little reference book covering the fundamentals of organizational development and change management. I appreciated how the author frames change and innovation as deeply meaningful to individuals, tapping into our intrinsic desire to improve and contribute value. This human-centered approach ensures that organizations innovate with purpose rather than simply for the sake of it.

The book’s model for change closely aligns with frameworks for meaningful work at the individual level. Both organizations and employees thrive in environments with autonomy, trust, listening leadership, and psychological safety.

The second half is more practical, offering tangible solutions for leaders guiding change. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Genuine Participation, which highlights the business and human benefits of engaging employees early in decisions that affect them, while also cautioning against performative involvement that undermines employees.

I was pleasantly surprised by this read. The writing flows almost narratively, it's engaging and accessible. It's the perfect guide for managers and executives looking to brush up their approach to innovation and change, and I’ll definitely be sharing it with colleagues and clients.

One of the aspects I appreciated most about this book is its flexibility in structure. You don’t have to read it from start to finish in a specific order. You can jump into any chapter and immediately engage with its insights, which makes it a great reference book rather than just a one-time read.

While many of the concepts in the book are familiar, what makes it stand out is how well it synthesizes these ideas into a cohesive model. It brings together various change and innovation strategies in a way that feels both structured and practical. The book doesn’t just present best practices...it also acknowledges exceptions to the rule. I particularly liked how the author included cases that don’t fit the mold for balance, like his discussion of Bill Gates’ leadership style and why it may not be applicable to everyone.

Easy to digest, great first step if you're on the path, and an awesome reminder for those already fighting the good fight.