THIS MONTH’S PAGE-TURNERS ON BUSINESS AND BEYOND

This year marks the second anniversary of Readers & Leaders, your guide to the latest business books leaders are reading—or should be. To (book)mark the occasion, we’re looking back at the launches, bestsellers, and most-read interviews that shaped our 2023.

We produced 43 Author Talks interviews this year from conversations with 56 authors across a range of topics, including leadership, innovative thinking, and change management. Our top interview featured Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development and coauthor of the book The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, who shared insights on what helps people live longer, more fulfilling lives. Keep reading for the interviews that resonated most with our readers. But first, check out some highlights from the past month.

IT BEARS REPEATING

“We recognize that the most important use of a tool as powerful as AI is to augment humanity, not to replace it.”

—Dr. Fei-Fei Li, founding director of the Stanford University Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, in the December edition of Author Talks.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

BOOKS ON THE BEACH

In July, McKinsey released its 2023 summer reading guide. The annual guide is created based on suggestions from leaders across the globe, as well as a curated list from our own colleagues and from major publications. We introduced readers to more than 70 selections in a classic amusement park backdrop that pairs entertainment and inspiration.

ON YOUR BOOKSHELF

In 2023, McKinsey launched two books to help leaders maximize their assets and build value. 

Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work
McKinsey partners Bryan Hancock and Emily Field and senior partner emeritus Bill Schaninger highlight the critical role of the middle manager and share tips your organization can apply to avoid misusing its most valuable resource.

Rewired: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI
Senior partners Eric Lamarre, Kate Smaje, and Rodney Zemmel create a playbook for business leaders seeking to undergo successful digital and AI transformations. 

TURN BACK THE PAGE

Ready to dive into our top-read Author Talks interviews of the year? Check these out:

1. The world’s longest study of adult development finds the key to happy living
2. How to speak confidently when you’re put on the spot
3. What does it mean to be a good middle manager?
4. In the ‘age of AI,’ what does it mean to be smart?
5. What is the key to unlocking digital transformation?
6. Why problem solving is the key to innovation
7. Am I making myself clear?
8. How to stay healthy no matter what
9. IBM’s Ginni Rometty on leading with ‘good power’
10. Scale your people, not just your company

TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

With the start of another year quickly approaching, New Year’s resolutions abound. Setting goals for this new chapter may be easier with insights from our top personal-development interview of 2023. Discovering how to live a happier, fuller life and adopting a mindset for success may be key to maintaining overall well-being.

BUSINESS BESTSELLERS TOP

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Need more books to add to your reading list? Explore November’s business bestsellers, prepared exclusively for McKinsey by Circana. Check out the full selection on McKinsey on Books.

BUSINESS OVERALL

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear (Penguin Group USA)

BUSINESS HARDCOVER

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear (Penguin Group USA)

ECONOMICS

Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell (Hachette Book Group)

DECISION MAKING

Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results by Shane Parrish (Penguin Group USA)

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way To Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear (Penguin Group USA)

WORKPLACE CULTURE

Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact by Liz Wiseman (HarperCollins Publishers)

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond (Random House)

SUSTAINABILITY

Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston (Two Rivers Distribution)

If you’d like to propose a book or author for #McKAuthorTalks, please email us at Author_Talks@McKinsey.com. Due to the high volume of requests, we will respond only to those being considered.

— Edited by Emily Adeyanju, an editor in McKinsey’s Charlotte office

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