Berrett-Koehler Publishers

11/07/2025

Congratulations to Ludmila Praslova on winning the Thinkers50 Talent Award in partnership with Randstad! This well-deserved recognition celebrates her transformative work in reimagining how organizations approach talent, inclusion, and workplace design.

Praslova has been a powerful voice for neurodiversity and systemic change in the workplace, challenging organizations to move beyond surface-level diversity initiatives to create environments where all people can truly thrive. Her research and advocacy have opened critical conversations about how traditional workplace structures exclude talented individuals and what it takes to build genuinely inclusive organizations.

What makes her work so vital is the way she combines rigorous academic research with practical, actionable insights. She doesn't just identify problems—she provides pathways forward, showing leaders how to create systems that recognize and leverage the full spectrum of human talent and cognitive diversity.

The Thinkers50 Talent Award recognizes thought leaders who are reshaping how we attract, develop, and retain exceptional people. Ludmila Praslova exemplifies this mission, pushing the boundaries of what's possible when organizations commit to true inclusion.

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement and thank you for the essential work you're doing to transform workplaces for the better.

11/07/2025

Trust isn't the same as reputation—and knowing the difference could transform how you do business.

In this Forbes feature, David Horsager and Peggy Kendall break down a critical distinction that leaders often miss. Your reputation is what people say about you when you're not in the room. But trust? That's what makes them want you in the room in the first place.
The insights here go beyond theory—they offer a practical framework for building authentic trust that drives real results. Worth the read for anyone leading teams, serving customers, or building lasting relationships.

Read the full article at Forbes ↓

You can’t build a strong reputation without trust. Trust is earned every day through real interactions, and your reputation is what the market says about you.

11/06/2025

Thrilled to celebrate Jeffrey Hull and Margaret Moore on winning the prestigious Thinkers50 Coaching and Mentoring Award! This recognition honors their groundbreaking contributions to leadership development and their ability to transform how we think about guiding others.

Their book, The Science of Leadership, brings together cutting-edge research and practical wisdom to show leaders how to create lasting change. Hull and Moore masterfully blend neuroscience, psychology, and real-world application to help leaders develop the self-awareness and emotional intelligence needed to thrive in today's complex environment.

What sets their work apart is the emphasis on evidence-based approaches—moving beyond leadership platitudes to strategies grounded in how our brains actually work. From understanding the neuroscience of behavior change to mastering the art of coaching conversations, The Science of Leadership equips leaders with tools that make a measurable difference.

This Thinkers50 award is a testament to their impact on the field and their commitment to elevating leadership practice worldwide. Congratulations to two extraordinary thinkers who are shaping the future of leadership development.

11/06/2025

Congratulations to The Magic of Imperfection by Jason F. McLennan on winning first place in the Business Leadership – Professional Growth category at the BookFest Awards! 🏆

This powerful guide reminds us that leadership isn't about being flawless—it's about being authentic, resilient, and willing to grow through our mistakes. We're thrilled to see this important message recognized.

A huge thank you to everyone who has championed this book and to the BookFest Awards for this incredible honor.

11/06/2025

The workforce crisis isn't about benefits packages. It's about leadership.

Dick Finnegan's latest piece for Training Industry breaks down why the number one reason employees stay or leave is how much they trust their immediate supervisors—not pet insurance, appreciation days, or even salary.

With the U.S. working population set to grow at only one-fifth its historical rate, retention has never been more critical. Finnegan argues it's time to stop measuring the average and start holding managers accountable with tools like stay interviews that drive real, measurable results.

His new book, Targeting Turnover, offers a research-based framework for making leadership development synonymous with retention strategy.

Read the full article: https://hubs.li/Q03RV_w00

Discover research-backed ways to reduce turnover and build loyal teams through trust, accountability, and stay interviews.

11/05/2025

What if everything we've been told about employee engagement is wrong?

Mark C. Crowley, author of Lead from the Heart and The Power of Employee Well-Being, joins the Love in Action podcast to challenge conventional wisdom about workplace culture. After 25 years in financial services and earning Leader of the Year for his heart-centered approach, Mark shares why employee engagement has flatlined for over a decade—and what organizations should focus on instead.

The conversation explores belonging as the true foundation of performance, how unresolved trauma shapes leadership patterns, and why leading with genuine care isn't soft management—it's strategic thinking that drives real results.

"When you make decisions, think about how they'll make people feel. That's what it means to lead with love."

Listen now to discover why well-being, not engagement, is the key to building workplaces where people actually want to stay.

Podcast Episode · Love in Action · 10/31/2025 · 58m

11/04/2025

Thrilled to share that Lily Zheng's Fixing Fairness has been featured in Forbes' roundup of the best new 2026 books on workplace inclusion and the future of DEI.

In a time when traditional approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion face unprecedented challenges, Zheng offers a practical reset with their groundbreaking FAIR framework—built around Fairness, Access, Inclusion, and Representation. This isn't just another rebranding effort; it's a systems-focused, evidence-based approach designed to create real, measurable change in organizations.

With endorsements from leaders at Patagonia, Warner Brothers Discovery, and Stanford University, Fixing Fairness charts a path forward for anyone committed to building workplaces that work for everyone.

Read the full Forbes feature:

Companies face a challenging environment for diversity, equity and inclusion. Experts offer four new books in 2026 to help leaders effectively navigate the future of DEI.

11/04/2025

What does your BK Community membership really mean? It means supporting publishers who believe books can change the world. It means getting 25% off every purchase so learning never breaks the bank. It means being part of something bigger.

Join us: https://hubs.li/Q03RtlxG0

11/03/2025

Thrilled to see The Canary Code featured in Courrier Cadres! This French business publication highlights how major companies are accelerating their neurodiversity initiatives—and how Ludmila Praslova's work is helping shape that conversation.

It's exciting to watch this book resonate across borders, sparking dialogue about workplace inclusion in new markets and languages. When evidence-based research on neurodiversity travels internationally, we know we're part of something bigger.

Read the full article: https://hubs.li/Q03R9BG30

11/03/2025

What if the secret to higher productivity wasn't another productivity hack, but simply more laughter?

Adam Christing, author of The Laughter Factor, reveals how shared humor creates psychological safety in the workplace—making teams feel less judged and more free to fail. His research shows that playfulness directly correlates with productivity, and that positive humor acts as a shortcut to trust and connection.

The article explores Christing's five "laugh languages" including surprise, in-jokes, and the power of self-effacing humor. As he puts it: "If we can laugh together, we can get through anything."

For HR leaders and managers navigating today's challenging workplace dynamics, this interview offers practical strategies for fostering engagement through something we all inherently possess—a sense of humor.

Read the full conversation: https://hubs.li/Q03R9Fwr0

“What surprised me in my research is the link between playfulness and productivity. We feel less judged. We feel more free to fail when we can laugh at ourselves and laugh with our colleagues.”

10/31/2025

What happens when introverts and extroverts try to maintain friendships? The differences in how we recharge and socialize can create real friction.

In this NPR Life Kit episode, reporter Yowei Shaw digs into the science of personality types and offers practical strategies for bridging the introvert-extrovert divide in your relationships. Whether you're an introvert who needs downtime or an extrovert who thrives on spontaneous hangouts, understanding these dynamics can transform your friendships.

Listen now to discover how different personality types can not only coexist but strengthen each other's lives.

https://hubs.li/Q03R9xb-0

Podcast Episode · Life Kit · 10/30/2025 · 19m

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! Which costume are you choosing? 📚👻

Drop a comment and tell us what you're going as this year!