Blog Archives
CULTURE RE-WIRED: Unleash Your Inner AI CEO
Culture Re-wired is part wake-up call, part playbook, and part pep talk. Author Ida Byrd-Hill dives straight into the heart of how artificial intelligence is reshaping business and insists that culture, not tech alone, determines who wins in this race. She draws on case studies, industry data, and real-life examples to demonstrate that both frontline workers and CEOs need to view AI as a partner, not a replacement. The book argues that human creativity, emotional intelligence, and culture are what turn AI into a genuine growth engine.
The writing style took me by surprise. It’s bold, loud, and packed with metaphors that sometimes felt like a pep rally. But the energy worked for me because the subject is urgent. The author doesn’t whitewash the fears people have about losing their jobs to AI, and she doesn’t dismiss those fears either. Instead, she shows how fear can kill innovation if it’s ignored. I found myself nodding along when she described middle managers as bottlenecks. I’ve seen that happen, and her advice on rewiring leadership training to focus on people skills resonated with me.
At the same time, I caught myself smiling at her bluntness. She doesn’t dance around her points, and that made the book fly by. The mix of statistics and case studies kept things grounded, but what I really liked were the stories of companies like Ford and Bank of America that had to push past cultural resistance to make AI stick. It’s one thing to say “culture matters,” but it’s another to show how culture literally makes or breaks billion-dollar rollouts. Reading those sections made me feel hopeful that AI doesn’t have to be a cold or scary thing. It can make work better if leaders get it right.
I’d recommend this book to managers, executives, and anyone who feels anxious about AI creeping into their job. It isn’t a technical manual. It’s about mindset. If you want to understand how culture drives technology instead of the other way around, I highly recommend this book. It’s equal parts practical advice and rallying cry, and it left me energized.
Pages: 128 | ASIN : B0FMYH3RQ1
Purposeful Collaboration
In EVERYTHING IS PERSONAL, you explore the difference between effective leadership skills and straightforward management tactics. What inspired you to write this book?
After being a leadership program designer, facilitator, and avid student of the art of leadership for decades, the premise of foundational leadership success became vividly clear. When leaders, or anyone, embraced the idea of “stewardship of others” and made positive and enriching relationships purposeful, it completely switched up how we view our interactions with others inside and outside of work. I wanted to collect these ideas in a simple but thought-provoking way via my first leadership book!
Can you share with us a little about the research behind your book?
Working on five continents with teams and leaders of various experiences, education, and interests was the best research I could have hoped for and yielded such valuable information. Whether leaders were in Brazil or Thailand…Azerbaijan or Thailand…China or UAE…the common query of leadership ran throughout. How do we retain talent? How do we drive success across our enterprise? How do we create an environment where people desire to succeed? The answer was always enlightened leadership, not based in authority, but resident in relationships.
What is one misconception you find most people have about business leadership?
That it’s “lonely at the top.” That leadership is a solitary place to live practically and emotionally. Nonsense. Beyond the stereotypical staff meeting, the most successful leadership environment is a place rich with healthy debate, challenging viewpoints, and purposeful collaboration.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from EVERYTHING IS PERSONAL?
I hope they never hide behind the “it’s just business” premise again. Yes, we need to make tough decisions in business all the time…just like we do throughout every facet of our lives…why deny the personal elements? In fact, embrace them – even when it’s deeply difficult. As a result, your credibility, transparency, and authenticity will only grow.
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website | InspireLSC | Amazon
Through storytelling and practical guidance, Louis Roden empowers readers to cultivate excellence and empowerment in their organizations and beyond by exploring the essence of transformational leadership and delving into the heart of stewardship.
Drawing from a wealth of global industry experiences, Everything is Personal serves as a roadmap for navigating the complexities of leadership with confidence and clarity. By embracing the principles outlined in this book, readers will discover how to forge genuine connections, inspire trust, and drive sustainable success in every facet of their lives. Join us on a journey of self-discovery, as we challenge conventional notions of leadership and empower individuals to lead with authenticity and purpose. Together we can unlock the transformative power of stewardship and make every interaction, every decision, and every moment truly personal.
EVERYTHING IS PERSONAL: Embracing Stewardship in The Workplace and Everyplace
“There is a stark difference between organizations that are led and those that are merely managed.” This assertion is at the heart of Everything is Personal, a compelling guide to understanding the intricacies of true leadership. Louis Roden’s work highlights the significant distinction between textbook management and leadership infused with a personal touch. Challenging the conventional separation of personal and professional life, the book argues convincingly that every decision in business is profoundly individual. Through a series of insightful essays and reflections, Roden dismantles the notion that business decisions can or should be devoid of personal impact.
The book makes a powerful start with a critique of the phrase “it’s not personal, it’s business,” which Roden dismisses as nonsense and a cowardly evasion of responsibility. He argues that leaders must acknowledge the implications of their decisions, as these decisions shape the lives and well-being of their teams. This critical perspective will force readers to reconsider every instance they have used the phrase, ultimately agreeing that it indeed represents an evasion of responsibility. Roden’s writing is marked by its candid and often provocative tone, challenging readers to rethink their approach to leadership and workplace relationships. He emphasizes the significant amount of time individuals spend at work, arguing that workplaces must be more than impersonal environments focused solely on productivity. Roden’s unique perspectives challenge the notion that coworkers are not friends, urging readers to reconsider their relationships both at work and beyond. For instance, his reinterpretation of the golden rule—treating others as you would like to be treated—reveals it to be presumptuous and advocates for a more individualized approach to empathy and understanding.
Everything is Personal is strongly anchored in Roden’s personal experiences, following his own advice to let the personal reign. By drawing on his experiences, he illustrates his points effectively, making his suggestions practical and relevant to the real world. He calls for greater responsibility in shaping workplace culture, recognizing that empathy can transform soulless transactional engagements into meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with coworkers and subordinates.
Everything is Personal is a thought-provoking read, especially in a world where the nature of work is rapidly changing. It advocates for a shift from workplaces that function merely as money-minting operations to fulfilling environments that employees look forward to each day. Roden’s passionate advocacy for personal accountability and genuine leadership makes Everything is Personal an essential read for anyone looking to transform their workplace culture into one that promotes trust, engagement, and long-term success.
Pages: 110 | ASIN : B0D55LW8VX
The DAP Strategy
Author Raj Sundarason offers readers solid advice on how to run a business or organization; especially in the digital age. The author comprehensively covers various aspects of business, that include marketing, making profits, dealing with losses, branding, leaving a digital footprint, and overcoming challenges while in the industry. The DAP Strategy: A New Way of Working to De-Risk & Accelerate Your Digital Transformation is primarily about Digital Adoption Platform (DAP), and how one can capitalize on the digitization of everything. The author is thorough in the topics that he covers and also engaging. Reading Raj Sundarason’s book will motivate you to think about your business on a global scale. The author gives crucial tips on the management of enterprises and how one can build an empire.
One thing every reader will appreciate about Raj Sundarason is how he personifies almost everything. Raj Sundarason makes his discussions relatable by personifying his experiences and business situations. When he talks about his milestones, one can feel how passionate he is about the work he has done. I love this about the author as it gives one the incentive to keep pushing. The DAP Strategy was an easy read thanks to the author’s moving tone and friendly language.
There are tons of lessons that one will draw from the book. Some of the chapters that were my favorite touched on topics like marketing, networking, digital branding, entrepreneurship, and strategizing. Raj Sundarason discussed relevant topics that would help one climb the career ladder or grow their business. His modest way of highlighting his wins and gracious tone he applies when sharing the knowledge he has acquired was impressive.
In The DAP Strategy, you do not just learn about Digital Adoption Platform. You learn about taking risks, preparing for incoming risks, and solving business issues in a professional manner. The objectivity displayed by the author even when he is talking about personal experiences is commendable. The content in this book is relevant today and can be used as reference material for professionals in different industries. I appreciate the author for his modesty when talking about business and for discussing both his highs and lows while working.
The DAP Strategy: A New Way of Working to De-Risk & Accelerate Your Digital Transformation is a refreshing look at the technology industry and how it impacts and interacts with the business world. This eye-opening book will have readers reevaluating how they run their organizations and will better prepare them for the future of technology.
Pages: 191 | ASIN: B09G3KRVWN
LITERARY TITAN 