This week, we’re shifting gears. Over the last few months, the GGA Book Club has focused on how to survive the chaos of the Death Zone. But now, we’re heading into the next phase: how to build sustainable altitude. Not just staying alive—but building something that lasts.
Book Reviews & Blog
Ego is the Enemy: Overcoming the Biggest Obstacle to Growth
Ego is the Enemy is a must-read for founders, executives, and leaders in any field. It’s a wake-up call to remove self-importance and focus on what truly drives success—constant learning, adaptability, and resilience.
Navigating the Death Zone: Aligning Expectations with Reality in Scale-Ups
In the world of start-ups and scale-ups, there’s a point where reality clashes with expectations—a space I call the Death Zone. Inspired by Atomic Habits, The Toyota Way, and The Lean Startup, the Death Zone is the unavoidable gap between ambition and execution. It’s the grind before momentum, the struggle before traction. Just like climbers […]
Thirteen Days: Leadership and Decision-Making in Crisis
Thirteen Days is a must-read for business leaders who want to learn from history’s greatest crisis negotiators. The book provides a unique perspective on leadership, decision-making, and the importance of measured action under extreme pressure.
Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World
Calling Bullshit is a crucial read for anyone living in today’s information-overloaded world. The book’s clear and engaging approach to teaching skepticism is invaluable. Whether you’re navigating business decisions or simply trying to make sense of the news, Bergstrom and West offer tools to cut through the noise and identify the truth.
Built to Sell: Creating a Scalable Business That Can Thrive Without You
Built to Sell is an essential read for entrepreneurs. Its practical, no-nonsense approach to creating a scalable, sellable business is invaluable for any business owner. Whether you plan to sell your business or not, Warrillow’s advice on building a company that can thrive without you will set you up for long-term success.
Built to Last: Timeless Lessons for Visionary Leadership
It’s no surprise that Built to Last is a popular and timeless book. Collins and Porras have distilled decades of research into actionable insights that can help any leader build an enduring company. From core values to visionary goals, this book delivers timeless lessons that every business leader can apply. It’s a treasure trove of wisdom for leaders and entrepreneurs, with research shedding light on what it takes to build enduring success.
The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins: A Roadmap for Leadership and GTM Success
The First 90 Days is a practical and insightful guide for anyone navigating a leadership transition or developing a sustainable GTM strategy. The principles Watkins outlines are just as applicable to launching a new product as they are to leading a new team. A must-read for founders, innovators, and leaders alike.
Navigating the Arena of Innovation – Insights from The Innovator’s Dilemma
The Innovator’s Dilemma provides a profound understanding of innovation challenges and offers practical advice for navigating them. For anyone working on an intrapreneurial project in a big company, this is a must-read.
Zero to One: Innovate, Differentiate, and Build Relationships
Zero to One offers valuable insights into building innovative startups. Thiel’s practical advice and unique perspective make it a worthwhile read. However, the focus on monopolies might not resonate with everyone. The real takeaway is the emphasis on creating unique value and building lasting relationships.