Entering into 2025 marks reaching the midpoint of a decade which has been like no other that has preceded it.

The 2020s opened under a cloud of growing global uncertainty as we got to grips with a relatively new word; “pandemic” – a circumstance that large parts of the developed world had never experienced first-hand. Many of us are still living with these realities today (though for many, positives have come from these deeply difficult times, such as gaining better work-life balance through hybrid working),

But the pandemic wasn’t the only seismic shift we’ve experienced in the last five years. Aside of global human health crises, we’ve also faced the harsh realities of rapidly spiralling planetary health as climate change brings increasingly extreme weather and countries continue to underdeliver on their sustainability commitments.

We’ve then experienced the rise of AI in tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and video tools such as Sora, which are creating increasingly convincing content and imagery seemingly out of nothing.

And then we come to global politics, increasing polarisation of parties, voices, opinions and values. All in all, we’ve lived through a lot – and there’s still another five years to go before we begin to close in on 2030.

In making sense of all we’ve lived through, how much the world around us has evolved and, most importantly, how we can proceed forward into the next year with a better sense of how to do things a little better, we look to the experts. For BlueSky Thinking this means delving into the research and ideas of the world’s leading academics, sharing their expertise and its application with the wider world.

This of course includes the authors from our BlueSky Thinking BookShelf. Over 2024 we’ve been profiling the authors behind the most compelling, important academic works of the year and handing over the stage for them to tell us, in their own words, how their work can contribute towards creative positive change both for business and for wider society.

These books, and those behind them, aren’t just offering advice—they’re providing a new way forward, a strategic roadmaps for leaders hoping to better anticipate the changes ahead, learn from the past and build their resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world.

It was no mean feat to narrow down our 2024 BookShelf to settle on three top reads for the year, but with an eye on the coming year set to be characterised by shifting geopolitical sands, ever-increasing sustainability challenges and the pressing need for society to simply “do better” in 2025, we at BlueSky Thinking believe the below titles go some way in helping to steer readers along the right path…

1) Red Flags Green Flags: Modern Psychology for Everyday Drama

https://www.hult.edu/We kick off our shortlist with “Dr TikTok” himself. Hult International Business School’s Dr Ali Fenwick has spent 2024 making waves in areas where academic experts are not typically in the spotlight.

Trading journals for social media, Dr Fenwick – or @moderndaypsychologist as he’s known online, has become known for sharing his videos on the psychology of human behaviour in an accessible, engaging way. It’s an approach that not only has racked him up millions of followers but is a natural pairing for his latest release “Red Flags Green Flags: Modern Psychology for Everyday Drama.”

In its pages, Dr Fenwick explores “what people really care about, what their worries are in today’s world, and how difficult they find it to foster strong and healthy relationships in various domains of life,” combining his academic acumen with real-life concerned and worries experienced by most people in both personal and professional settings.

His research aims to help readers make better assessments of social interactions, understand and unpack the behaviour of others and use these observations to improve their own decision-making. The end goal? Building better, stronger more enduring relationships with others.

In a world where clear communications matter, and common misunderstandings or oversights can have an even bigger ripple effect than before, Red Flags. Green Flags provides a framework to help steer readers on a steady course, building understanding and resilience.

If your New Year’s Resolutions involve being a better listener, getting back in touch with old friends, getting a new job or promotion or recommitting to your relationship, this book is a must-read for 2025.

Read the review here…

2) Navigating Leadership – Evidence-Based Strategies for Leadership Development

This entry to our list feels a little like cheating. Rather than focusing on the ideas and expertise of one academic expert, “Navigating Leadership – Evidence-Based Strategies for Leadership Development” compiles a chapter-by-chapter treasure-trove of ideas, insights and case studies from a collection of leading academic minds.

Co-edited by Professor Susanne Braun of Durham University Business School alongside colleagues both from her institution and from the School of Management, Binghamton University, the Army Research Office, DEVCOM ARL the book explores a simple concept, but one that is fundamentally misunderstood by many “How can I be a better leader?”

Does being “better” mean more successful? Gaining a more impressive title, earning a bigger salary or pulling in more profit for the company? Does it mean awards? A pass to the most exclusive circles and extending influence? Whilst all of this is certainly commendable, Professor Braun and her colleagues show that the concept of being “better” is actually a little deeper.

Whilst our review published over the summer, since then we have witnessed a number of significant leadership shifts – both in industry and especially when it comes to global governance. With January 2025 only a matter of weeks away, and with it the re-introduction of a new resident to the White House, Prof Braun’s book stands as a timely reminder for how we might consider and measure success.

Read the review here…

3) Impact Work. An Ethnographic Journey into the Craft of Impact Entrepreneurship

Perhaps 2025 is your year to finally embark on your entrepreneurial journey? If so, it’s worth taking pause first to consider not only what you want to do, but also why you want to do it.

Great ideas and good intentions are a solid starting point for any budding entrepreneur – especially in a world increasingly invested in ethical, sustainable innovation. But, as emlyon business school’s Guillaume Dumont points out,  these admirable qualities don’t necessarily equate to success.

Socially-motivated entrepreneurs are in demand now more than ever, as pressure mounts for businesses to take a greater role in protecting the planet and uplifting society. So how can these individuals ensure that their aspirations can be not only be realised but can endure, creating the impact they desire?

Dumont’s latest offering “Impact Work. An Ethnographic Journey into the Craft of Impact Entrepreneurship”  explores the day-to-day running of a social impact accelerator, giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how entrepreneurs learn the critical skills needed for successful social impact entrepreneurship. Such concepts and such success, he points out, are not solely made possible by the efforts of idealistic individuals. Aside of education and skill there are networks, to build, connections to be made, advisors and investors, a willingness to adapt the plan and negotiate in order to get off the ground.

To get a head start on your ambitions, this book provides a solid starting block.

Read the review here…

In 2025 we’ll be starting fresh with an empty BookShelf, ready to fill up with new ideas. Do you have a submission to share? Why not get in touch?

Interested in this series? Our latest book review is linked below…