The Leadership Skill That Shapes Every Business Decision (And a Book That Explains It)

Begin at the End is the new book on decision making and problem solving by Jeremy Sable. Photo: Amazon

Best Leadership and Business Books for Smarter Decision-Making

Books on leadership and business offer timeless lessons for anyone seeking to grow professionally and personally. The best leadership books explore how effective leaders communicate vision, make thoughtful decisions, and build workplace cultures rooted in trust and accountability.

Strong business books go beyond theory. They bridge strategy and execution, showing how values-driven leadership can drive sustainable business success. Readers gain practical insight into navigating change, managing teams, and balancing strategy with empathy. More than manuals for profit, leadership and decision-making books encourage self-reflection, resilience, and ethical thinking, reminding us that strong businesses are built by leaders who understand people as deeply as they understand performance.

📘 Book Recommendation: A Must-Read Leadership and Decision-Making Book

Begin at the End: The Modern Day Guide to Decision-Making

By Jeremy Sable

Begin at the End is a modern leadership and decision-making book for people who feel stuck, overthink important choices, or want a clearer way to navigate careers, relationships, finances, and life’s inevitable tradeoffs. Rather than promising perfect answers, the book focuses on choosing a direction with confidence and moving forward without regret.

This book is especially valuable for business leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking better decision-making frameworks in an increasingly complex world.

Decision Overload in the Modern Workplace

We are living in the middle of the greatest decision overload in human history and most people underestimate how much it impacts their performance, focus, and well-being.

Every day brings an avalanche of choices: endless information, constant notifications, shifting priorities, and pressure to move faster than the human brain was designed to operate. In today’s business environment, this overload leaves many professionals feeling scattered, burned out, or unsure whether their decisions are leading anywhere meaningful.

Begin at the End offers a practical solution for decision-making in high-pressure environments.

A Practical Framework for Better Business Decisions

Drawing from more than a decade of mission-critical consulting, Jeremy Sable explains why much of today’s decision-making advice is outdated. He introduces a modern system that helps leaders, professionals, and teams make smarter, faster, and more confident decisions.

Instead of reacting to available options, readers learn how to anchor every decision to a clearly defined outcome. This outcome-first approach improves clarity, focus, execution, and creativity, skills essential for leadership, business growth, and long-term success.

Key Takeaways from Begin at the End

In this leadership and decision-making book, readers will learn how to:

Apply Outcome-First Thinking to bring clarity to every decision
Use AI as a strategic decision-making tool, not a distraction
Generate better options under pressure and tight deadlines
Avoid false either/or thinking that limits leadership potential
Build feedback loops that turn decisions into long-term momentum
Reduce decision fatigue and make clarity a daily habit

This is not theoretical advice. It’s a real-world playbook for business leaders, professionals, and anyone responsible for making high-stakes decisions.

Why This Book Matters for Leaders and Professionals

If you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a better way to make decisions at work and in life,” this book delivers that solution. Begin at the End provides a practical clarity system that helps leaders align decisions with purpose, values, and long-term outcomes.

For anyone interested in leadership development, business strategy, or personal growth, this book is a valuable addition to your reading list.

About the Author: Jeremy Sable

Jeremy Sable helps people make better decisions when the stakes are real and the answers aren’t obvious. Raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, he studied engineering at Virginia Tech before beginning his career in government consulting in Washington, DC, an environment where leaders regularly make decisions with incomplete information and real consequences.

His work blends consulting and engineering frameworks with personal experience and real-world constraints. Jeremy believes most people aren’t bad at decision-making, they’re overwhelmed, overinformed, and rarely taught how to decide effectively.

‘Think Bigger, Lead Better’ is Rick Tollakson’s Blueprint for Transformational Leadership

In his new book, Rick Tollakson presents his eight principles for success. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success

A fresh take on leadership from Rick Tollakson

In today’s fast-changing business world, leadership can’t be about playing it safe. The most effective leaders are those who think bigger, challenge assumptions, and inspire others to reach new heights. That’s the central message behind Rick Tollakson’s new book, Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success. It’s a practical and inspiring guide to building stronger teams, smarter organizations, and more impactful leaders.

Beyond the Bottom Line

Efficient leadership isn’t about maintaining the status quo, it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change.

Drawing from his decades of experience transforming a modest real estate company into a thriving, diversified enterprise, Tollakson shares the “Eight to Great” principles that powered that journey. Through engaging stories and actionable insights, he encourages leaders to move beyond short-term wins and embrace a long-term vision that drives growth and purpose.

Readers will learn how to:

Cultivate passionate, high-performing teams
Encourage innovation and calculated risk-taking
Streamline operations with process-driven thinking
Lead with purpose while balancing profitability and impact
Build a legacy of leadership that outlasts any single role

Think Bigger, Lead Better is a call to action for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and professionals who refuse to settle for mediocrity. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or growing a small startup, Tollakson’s proven framework will help you push past limitations and build something truly great.

Are you ready to think bigger?

About the Author

Rick Tollakson is a nationally recognized real estate executive, community leader, and author of Think Bigger, Lead Better: Eight to Great Principles for Organizational Success.

As CEO of Hubbell Realty Company, he has led the organization through transformational growth, expanding its development, construction, property management, and homebuilding operations across Iowa and beyond.

A respected voice in both business and civic circles, Tollakson’s leadership philosophy blends innovation, integrity, and community stewardship. He continues to serve on numerous boards and committees, offering insights that extend far beyond traditional business metrics to include ethical leadership, sustainable development, and meaningful community partnerships.

Why This Book Matters Now

In an era defined by disruption and uncertainty, the need for bold, ethical, and visionary leadership has never been greater. Think Bigger, Lead Better provides the clarity and tools leaders need to navigate change, inspire trust, and create organizations that make a difference.

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership and build a culture of excellence, this book is your next essential read.

📘 Learn more or order your copy of Think Bigger, Lead Better wherever books are sold.

Discipline, Resilience, Leadership: A Review of ‘The Black Belt in Leadership’

Leading like a black belt – how martial arts principles can shape modern leaders. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚Book Review: The Black Belt in Leadership: 20 Tested Lessons from the Dojo to the Boardroom

In The Black Belt in Leadership, Aslak de Silva bridges the worlds of martial arts and corporate leadership with clarity, humility, and practical wisdom. Drawing on his experience as both a world champion martial artist and a two-time multinational CEO, de Silva distills twenty lessons that are just as relevant on the dojo floor as they are in the boardroom.

This book isn’t another collection of recycled business strategies. Instead, de Silva uses martial arts philosophy—discipline, resilience, respect, and continuous learning—to highlight the mindset shifts leaders need to thrive. His stories are engaging and vivid, showing how timeless principles of training, focus, and humility can shape how we manage teams, make decisions under pressure, and build trust.

🥋What’s Inside

Part I: The Dojo of Discipline
Part II: The Mindset of a Master
Part III: The Inner Fight
Part IV: The Path Forward

Each section builds on the idea that leadership is not about control but about character, self-awareness, and the ability to stay centered when everything around you feels unstable.

💡Key Highlights

Lesson 4: Progress Over Perfection – The Coachable Leader’s Advantage

True leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about embracing progress. De Silva admits that when he first started in sales, he lacked experience. But as a martial artist, he was coachable, open to feedback, and resilient in the face of correction.

“Martial arts taught me that the moment you think you’re untouchable, someone finds your opening.”

Lesson 5: Leading Through Contradiction in a World That Does Not Make Sense

Leadership means constant change. Success is temporary, and you won’t win every time. What matters most is staying true to your values without hiding behind them as excuses.

“I’ve always done it this way” should never be a reason to stop learning and growing.

Why You Should Read It

The lessons in this book are grounded in lived experience and paired with actionable takeaways. Most chapters end with reflection questions, making it easy to apply insights directly to your life and leadership journey. The conversational tone and straightforward language make it an accessible, inspiring read for anyone—executives, managers, or individuals simply striving to grow.

De Silva reminds us that leadership is less about appearing strong and more about staying centered when the world shakes. Most importantly, the finest leaders are not always the smartest—they’re the ones trained to lead under pressure.

So step into the dojo and pick up your copy of The Black Belt in Leadership. It’s an ultimate guide to leading with power, presence, and principle.

“You do not need a martial arts background to lead like a black belt. But if you want to move with clarity, resilience, and presence—especially under pressure—you need to train like one.”

*Thank you to Aslak de Silva for the gifted copy for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘Project Management Made Practical’: The Beginner’s Blueprint for Leading with Confidence

Book Review – Project Management Made Practical: A Hands-On Guide for New Project Managers

By Zach Herman

Project Management Made Practical is the essential guide for first-time project managers, career changers, and anyone seeking to bring structure and clarity to complex work. Written in a clear, conversational tone by seasoned project leader Zach Herman, this concise yet rich resource breaks down the core principles, tools, and strategies for successful project delivery. (Amazon, 2025)

Whether you’re in business, healthcare, education, or tech, this book offers practical frameworks and ready-to-use templates to help you get organized, stay on track, and deliver real results.

What’s Inside

I. Introduction to Project Management
II. Project Phases
III. Final Thoughts About Agile and Hybrid
IV. Final Thoughts

Highlights

Project Management 101: The Pulse of the Project

Herman introduces the Five Process Groups—Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing—emphasizing that Monitoring & Controlling is where the action happens, and Planning is where success begins.

Project Planning – Blueprint for Success

The book identifies planning as the most critical phase: defining scope, building schedules and budgets, managing stakeholders, and preparing for risks, procurement, and change.

Why It Works for New Project Managers

Herman’s definition of project management—“a structured application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to meet project requirements”—sets the tone for a practical approach. He focuses on real-world challenges, avoiding theory-heavy explanations.

From stakeholder management to risk assessment and communication strategies, the guidance is direct, actionable, and paired with templates, checklists, and relatable scenarios. Readers also get step-by-step instructions for writing a project charter, building a work breakdown structure, and running effective meetings. The illustrations make the material easy to understand and accessible to anyone.

The book also explains predictive, agile, and hybrid methodologies, showing when and how to apply each. Most importantly, Herman highlights leadership, ethics, and communication as equally vital to technical skills, reminding us:

“Projects are temporary, but reputation and lives are not.”

About the Author

Zach Herman brings over 20 years of experience in portfolio, program, and project management, along with a decade of leadership expertise. Holding a Master’s in Business Administration and certifications including PMP, DASM, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, he is dedicated to mentoring emerging leaders and helping them navigate their new responsibilities with confidence.

If you’re a career changer or aspiring project manager looking for a solid foundation and fast, practical insights, Project Management Made Practical is a must-read.

“Effective project management is not about checking boxes or completing templates; it’s about delivering outcomes through planning, strategic foresight, and adaptive execution.”

*Thank you to Zach Herman for my gifted copy for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Navigating Life’s Crossroads: How ‘The Art of Changing Course’ Can Transform Your Life

‘The Art of Changing Course’ is Chris Ruden’s new book. Photo: Amazon.

Motivational and self-improvement books offer valuable guidance for personal growth and achieving one’s goals. They provide insights into mindset shifts, productivity techniques, and strategies for overcoming obstacles. These books often share inspiring stories, practical advice, and actionable steps to help readers enhance their self-awareness, build resilience, and cultivate positive habits. By exploring diverse perspectives and proven methodologies, individuals can gain clarity, boost their confidence, and drive meaningful change in their lives. Ultimately, they empower readers to unlock their full potential and create a more fulfilling and purposeful existence. Keynote speaker and author Chris Ruden has new book out that’s worth mentioning: “The Art of Changing Course”

Chris Ruden is an amputee, Type 1 diabetic record-holding powerlifter, motivational keynote speaker, author, and disabled model who was featured on The Rock’s hit TV show “Titan Games.” From being humiliated and labeled broken because of his disability to struggling with mental health and living in a non disabled-inclusive world, Chris learned to turn his obstacles into opportunities, now using his badass bionic arm, diabetes technology, and message of “creating your world without limits” to impact people around the world. In his new book “The Art of Changing Course: A 3-Step Strategy to Get Unstuck and Solve Your Real Problems,” he shares the foolproof framework to take back control and create immediate lasting change. (Amazon/Athelo Group, 2024)

“The Art of Changing Course” – Getting stuck in life is a guarantee. Staying stuck is a choice. Chris Ruden provides a clear-cut process that walks readers through digestible, actionable stages to get unstuck, allowing you to rise beyond simple awareness of the desire to change and become the person you truly want to be. Backed by numerous psychological principles, management techniques, and organizational change theories, “The Art of Changing Course” focuses on helping readers make three distinct shifts: from subconscious to conscious, conscious to communicated, and finally, communicated to broadcasted.

In this book, you’ll learn about:

Moving past your go-to reactions of excuses and distractions when thinking about change
Harnessing the language of how you speak to yourself to open up possibilities for change
Giving yourself intrinsic permission to become the best version of yourself

People are stuck, lost, and confused―you, the people you care about, and strangers you interact with in your day-to-day life. “The Art of Changing Course” gives you the tools to actually do something about it. It will help you move from overwhelm to action, transforming from hopeless, scared, and stuck into confident, actionable, and limitless―an essential read for anyone looking to find success and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives, and help others do the same.

How Daniel Patrick Forrester’s ‘Consider’ Challenges Conventional Thinking

Daniel Patrick Forrester founded THRUUE, Inc., an expert consultancy that supports leaders and boards bridge the gap between strategy and culture. With the explosion of data and hyperconnectivity, Daniel’s curiosity led him to research how leaders responded to the onslaught of available data and to publish his first book, “Consider: Harnessing the Power of Reflective Thinking in Your Organization.” It centers around the role reflection can play in dramatically improving corporate outcomes. As a top nonfiction leadership book, it has impacted the lives and work habits of small and large organizations from around the world. (Amazon, 2024)

“Consider: Harnessing the Power of Reflective Thinking in Your Organization”

“STOP, THINK, AND DON’T DO SOMETHING STUPID!” This is the warning Dr. Robert Bea drills into his Civil and Environmental Engineering students at the University of California in Berkeley. Bea wants to dramatize what he terms the inevitable “oh shit” moments that present themselves—before an actual engineering calamity like the Deepwater Horizon/BP disaster happens.

There’s an intangible and invisible marketplace within our lives today where the products traded are four fold: attention, distraction, data and meaning.

The stories and examples within “Consider” demonstrate that the best decisions, insights, ideas and outcomes result when we take sufficient time to think and reflect. While technology allows us to act and react more quickly than ever before, we are taking increasingly less time to consider our decisions before we make them. Reflection supplies an arsenal of ideas and solutions to the right problems. Including interviews with leaders such as General David Petraeus, attorney Brooksley Born and global investor Kyle Bass, Forrester shows us that taking time and giving ourselves the mental space for reflection can mean the difference between total success and total failure.

Review:
This book is an insightful exploration into how reflective thinking can revolutionize organizational dynamics and decision-making. Forrester suggests that the ability to pause, reflect, and engage in deep thinking is essential for encouraging innovation and strategic clarity in today’s fast-paced business environments.

It is organized around practical strategies and real-world examples, demonstrating how reflective practices can be systematically integrated into organizational cultures. He explains that reflection is not necessarily a passive activity but an active, intentional process that can lead to more informed and creative decision-making. By introducing concepts such as “reflective leadership” and “strategic pauses,” Forrester provides actionable tools for leaders seeking to cultivate a reflective culture within their teams. One term that stands out is “plastic time,” what people are now experiencing when they are in “a constant state of interruption and movement between many different tasks.”

It is divided as follows:

Introduction: The Space between Data and Meaning
1. The Human Need for Think Time
2. Forcing Think Time
3. Thinking Out Loud
4. Promoting Think Time
5. Taking a Step Back
6. Too Big to Think?
7. Rapid Contemplation
8 .Outside the Day-to-Day
9 .Reflection and Extreme Situations
10. The Future of Think Time and Reflection

By combining theoretical insights and practical advice, the information is accessible to both senior executives and mid-level managers. Forrester’s writing is clear and engaging, with a focus on real-world applications rather than abstract theories.

Overall, “Consider” is a valuable resource for leaders looking to harness the power of reflection to drive organizational growth and resilience. It is recommended for readers interested in books on workplace culture and leadership/motivation.

“I do not wish to suggest that being alone and thinking always leads the mind to positive and beneficial outcomes… Alone time and reflection when one’s mental model of the world is perverse can give rise to the unimaginable.”

*The author received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Strategies for Success: A Review of ‘Executive Coaching for Black Executives’ by Robert Moment

‘Executive Coaching for Black Executives’ is an invitation to redefine the true meaning of leadership. Photo: Amazon

Robert Moment is a Top LinkedIn Voice in Leadership Development and a powerhouse in the realm of coaching and leadership development. With over 15 years of coaching experience and a solid foundation of 20-plus years in Fortune 500 corporate environments, Robert has sharpened his skills to unlock the full potential of individuals and companies alike. His insightful and transformative approach has made him a sought-after coach for those aiming to elevate their leadership capabilities and achieve peak performance. “Executive Coaching for Black Executives,” his new book, is a guide to unlocking your full potential, achieving fulfillment on your own terms, and leaving a legacy that inspires change. (Amazon, 2024)

“Executive Coaching for Black Executives” offers an exploration of the unique challenges and opportunities facing Black executives in corporate America today. Drawing on his extensive experience as a coach and a corporate leader, Moment provides invaluable insights and practical guidance made specifically to the needs of Black professionals working to navigate and flourish in leadership roles.
Topics include identity, navigating corporate culture, building strategic alliances, and overcoming systemic barriers. He combines personal stories with data-driven analysis, giving the narrative authenticity and authority. His approach is not just about career advancement but also about overall personal and professional development, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, resilience, and continuous learning.

It is divided into 3 parts:
Part 1: Navigating the Landscape
Chapter 1: Decoding the System
Chapter 2: Deflecting Microaggressions
Chapter 3: Building Power and Influence

Part 2: Unleashing Your Potential
Chapter 4: Finding Your Voice
Chapter 5: Cultivating Your Leadership Style
Chapter 6: Embracing Continuous Learning

Part 3: Achieving Peak Performance
Chapter 7: Conquering Imposter Syndrome
Chapter 8: Work-Life Balance for the Black Executive
Chapter 9: Leaving a Legacy
Chapter 10: Navigating Challenges, Embracing Resilience

Moment encourages readers to embrace their unique strengths, confront biases head-on, and leverage mentorship and networking effectively. This book serves as both a mentor and a roadmap, offering practical tools and strategies that empower Black executives to thrive in competitive corporate environments. Each chapter ends with the section “Questions To Ask” to help readers translate the topics discussed into their own lives.

Highlights:
Chapter 2 because he defines microaggressions and advices on how to deflect them to keep the focus on work. “Deflecting microaggressions is not just a self-preservation tactic. It’s an act of defiance against systems that seek to diminish us.”

Chapter 6 where he emphasizes the importance of continuous learning: “…it’s about fostering an unyielding curiosity, adaptability, and the determination to remain a lifelong student.”

This book is a must-read for Black professionals aspiring to leadership roles, as well as for organizations committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels. It is a timely and valuable resource that contributes to the ongoing dialogue on leadership and representation in the business world. It is recommended readers interested in business books related to leadership, mentoring, management, and coaching.

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

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