Suggestions and challenges to
enhance your success

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"“The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made” by Walter Isaacson, who some of you may perhaps remember as the author of the excellent Steve Jobs biography, is a work about six friends who made their mark on the decades following WWII and thus the Cold War and developments in Western nations which is as well-written as it is exciting. Isaacson describes how six close friends decisively influenced world events through their behind-the-scenes activities for men such as Harry Truman or General Marshall (the Marshall Plan)."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Although written in an, at times, somewhat long-winded style this painstakingly researched biography on the Staufenberg family and, in particular, Claus C. Staufenberg is well worth reading! It not only provides very unusual insights into German history before and during World War II, but also provides an excellent stimulus for reflecting on our own characters."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"I recently rediscovered David Rock’s book, which, like a number of others, had been languishing on a pile of unread books for some time. Although taking a look at the world from the neuroscientist’s perspective doesn’t really reveal much that is new in terms of increasing our own productivity, it does manage to convey the key factors in an amusing way – fewer but genuine priorities, etc.
Reading about this kind of research certainly makes you aware of how much energy we often waste on work which is unproductive and how stupid this is. Stimulating!"

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Within the context of the IS crisis and the conflict in Ukraine I have been occupied by the question of what actually makes humans wage war. Authors Richard Wrangham and Dale Petersen (both respected primatologists) examine this issue in a fascinating, interesting way which is also understandable for laypeople, referring to the most recent findings available. It was not until the 1990’s that researchers discovered that chimpanzees, whom humans are not descended from but with whom we share common ancestors, also have violent tendencies. Why do chimpanzees and humans wage war while bonobos, for example, do not?"

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Besides Rupert Lay, who I had recommended for his publication “Leadership by Word” in another letter of inspiration, Frank Naumann gets to the heart of the main principles of successful communication in a somewhat casual way in his book."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"I have known Ben Horowitz personally for a number of years now and must say that in this book, which is jam packed with fascinating real-life anecdotes, he has succeeded wonderfully in succinctly defining the key characteristics of management in difficult situations."

Commentay by Matthias Kolbusa:

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusas:

"Almost everyone knows him and has read one of his books: Peter Drucker. I recently came across what is, in my opinion his best, because most stimulating, book. And most surprisingly of all - although I've read the book several times, about 3 years ago for the last time, it still provided new, valuable ideas for my current context. It is precisely this which is the hallmark of a good book - you read it because you have a current context; derive conclusions which help you move forward and, as soon as the context changes again, the book reveals its next secrets."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"I recently re-read Montaigne's Essays again to get some inspiration for a few new insights. In addition to Marcus Aurelius Montaigne's Essays have been a long-time companion to my life. Even though Montaigne is anything but a stoicist since his core message is that life itself is the meaning of life, the gap between these two ends of the spectrum is inspiring in its own right. Easy to read and a rich source of good reflections and inspiration for many of the myriad facets of life."

Anaconda Verlag (August 2005); 416 pages, Hardcover, ISBN-10: 3938484403, EUR 6,95

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Within the scope of my work I am always talking about thinking and working outside the box. This is the only way to take your projects forward more quickly and successfully. We all however, also know that this is not exactly a human strength. Gerd Gigerenzer takes a refreshing behind-the-scenes look at this inner conflict and the corresponding stumbling blocks. A book which encourages readers to reflect on their own behaviour, thus promoting personal development."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"It may no longer be a fashionable viewpoint, but a manager’s daily life does indeed consist of a daily round of problems. Every day brings new problems with it which have to be solved – or, even better, avoided. I am not a fan of “opportunities talk”. When it comes to focused problem solving Kepner and Tregoe are some of the best methodologists I have ever come across. And, even after nearly 40 years, their approach has, in my opinion, lost none of its value."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Even though I am not a particular “fan” of success and self-help books – a category which the German subtitle (The superior route to success) suggests would be the right one for Robert Greene’s new book – this one is a wonderful, crisply written piece of work, in some parts even caustic, and a stimulating read. It will encourage you to reflect on your own attitudes; system of values and dealings with others and thus your own view of people."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"We all know that we are “creatures of habit” and that we also like to express this once in a while. Before reading this very entertainingly written book I was, however, not aware just how strongly we are influenced by habits! The behavioural psychology studies have shown that habits cannot be changed but rather only be re-programmed – which is exciting in itself. From a management perspective the second section of the book, which deals with the habits of organizations and how they can be changed, is valuable."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"A refreshing (short) book which philosophizes a little on life and time. The author (time expert Karlheinz A. Geißler) surprised me with his very engaging style and the pictures he used. Pleasant stimulation for the summer break."

Oekom Verlag; 24. September 2012, 150 pages, Hardcover, ISBN-10: 3865813208, EUR 14,95

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Robert and Edward Skidelsky describe the work of leading thinkers from ancient times to the 21st century on the origin and use of wealth as well as also on a fulfilled life outside of work. They identify seven “basic values” such as security, respect, leisure and harmony with Nature, on which an economy of the good life must be based. What they do in particular is to encourage the reader to think of business in new terms – as the moral actions of people who are members of a community."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"As I like to say, when it comes to strategy and implementation true complexity generally results from the complexity of the emotions concerned and less from the factual, technically complexity. An improved understanding of why we and others feel what we feel enables us to significantly increase our empathetic capabilities. Siegel, one of the leading neuro-scientists of our age, manages to communicate the key facts in a clear way."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Kant is, without doubt, one of the most exciting philosophers since ancient times. Philosophical lay readers often find his enriching but extremely challenging texts (such as “The critique of pure reason”) so difficult that they cannot obtain any practical benefit from them. This is not the case when it comes to his essay “Answering the question: What is Enlightenment?”, which is very short and included in this slim volume. The essay, just eight pages long, offers the reader many valuable impulses for their own daily management lives."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"For me personally management thinker and philosopher Russel A. Ackoff, who died in 2009, is more than just a brilliant thinker and keen observer of management events. In the course of his truly long life and career – he lived to be 90 years old and worked as consultant until the very end – he amassed a valuable treasure trove of experience, which he used to give good, long-term impulses. His book “The Cake” could be described as the essence of his work, providing short, succinct and thus even clearer statements on a diverse range of management issues."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Even if the title does not seem to be very positive, Peter Scholl-Latour takes us on an exciting, highly topical tour around the globe. Starting in Mongolia he moves on to the significance of China; Russia; the Western world and the Middle East with the fruits and proliferation of weeds generated by the various Arab “Springs”. For me personally the sober, impressively clear analyses of the systems of rule and government as well as the economic context of the future industrial powers, in particular China, were very illuminating. I liked the way in which he showed “Westerners” the way in which our media provide us with a very distorted perspective of things and the arrogance behind some of our opinions."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"I have known Alan for many years now and value my collaboration with him greatly. He is one of the most brilliant consultants I know. In my opinion “Thrive!” is a wonderfully “biting”, incisive book which combines all his life experience to provide valuable impulses for the management of our own lives."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"Although you may initially get the impression that David Graeber’s book has a “Marxism 2.0” feel to it, it actually turns out to be a very valuable stimulus, making for thought-provoking musings and reflections on the mechanisms of business in general and, in particular, on the principle of “credit” in a globalized world which is becoming ever more interlinked."

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"A refreshing mixture of insights from the fields of neurology, psychology and cognitive science. For someone like myself, whose work incorporates insights from these fields of research, and who works intensively with individuals and organisations, it is interesting to read about innovative new ideas or to have old ideas refuted."

HarperBusiness; Edition: 1st Ed. edition (6. Oktober 2009), Hardcover: 304 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 0061771295, EUR 19,95

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"In this book Mr Robert Keegan has succeeded in shining a new light on the question of why it is so difficult for us to bring about change in our lives whether this be as individuals or as organisations. An inspiring book that holds a few Eureka moments in store."

Harvard Business School Press (13. Januar 2009), 304 Pages, Harcover, ASIN: B007MIZAZ8, EUR 19,95

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"I have always thought highly of the concept of willpower, so this book was bound to be of interest to me. But apart from this "Willpower" also shows us in a highly amusing and well-founded manner, how to make your life simpler and more productive by using certain techniques for willpower and self-discipline. The many amusing stories and descriptions of experiments make it a joy to read and provide useful tips for everyday (working) life."

Penguin Press HC, The; 1 edition (September 1, 2011), Hardcover: 304 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 1594203075, EUR 17,95

Commentary by Matthias Kolbusa:

"In the past Mintzberg was more known for his methodological brilliance and later for his smart approach to strategy. This book, for the first time, is dedicated to the subject of management. A variety of managers from different types of organisations are observed and interviewed and the results analysed in relation to management routines in refreshingly new ways."

Berrett-Koehler Publishers (March 10, 2011), Paperback: 320 pages, Language: English, ISBN-10: 1605098744, EUR 18,95