TL;DR: Harari uses historical evidence to highlight the unintended dark sides of technological advancements. Throughout history, control over information has equaled power. From ancient oral traditions to modern digital platforms, those who manage the flow of information have had a huge impact on societies. Human communities are built on shared myths and narratives, spread through information networks, and in the age of AI, understanding and critically evaluating these narratives is more important than ever.

New Perspective:

A heightened awareness about the balance between AI and human identity.

How did I feel after reading this book?

A sense of urgency, deep reflection on humanity.

TL;DR: The book emphasizes the importance of aligning AI advancements with universal human values and introduces the Human–AI Symbiotic Intelligence (HASI) framework. This four-step process promotes a harmonious relationship between humans and AI: (1) Humans teach AI foundational human values and knowledge, (2) AI evolves independently through learning and adaptation, (3) AI shares its knowledge with humans to foster mutual growth, and (4) Humans integrate AI insights to advance their own learning and development.

New Perspective:

The Human–AI Symbiotic Intelligence (HASI) framework

How did I feel after reading this book?

Responsibility and hope 

TL;DR: Our souls are the core of who we are, connected to our most authentic emotions, thoughts, and experiences. The soul requires care, which I’ve found through exploring passions, connecting with nature, and accepting grief as essential to healing. We accept the ordinary, failure, and sadness as parts of life—but this acceptance doesn’t come from losing hope. It stems from resilience and faith that we are here on Earth, as humans, to learn fundamental soul lessons. True freedom lies in deeply understanding our life purpose and nurturing our soul identity.

New Perspective:

Nurturing our soul to embrace our full authentic self, Accepting grief as essential to healing.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Relieved, free, connected, empowered

TL;DR: After 10 days and 90 hours of meditation at a Vipassana silent meditation retreat, I observed that while I can’t control the thoughts entering my consciousness, I do have a choice in how much energy (thinking) I give them. The thoughts entering our minds are not facts, and most aren’t even our own. Thinking is a biological response rooted in survival and fear, and it prevents us from following our true calling. While thinking is useful for planning, analyzing information, and executing tasks, for decision-making, it’s better to rely on our intuition, soul, higher self, or whatever term resonates with you.

New Perspective:

A clear distinction between thoughts and thinking.

How did I feel after reading this book?

A sense of empowerment and clarity.

TL;DR: When Nadella talks about rediscovering Microsoft’s soul, I knew this book was for me. I love his courage to be authentic and root his mindful leadership philosophy in his mother’s wisdom—a Sanskrit scholar and teacher. He drew inspiration from the Seahawks' playbook, leveraging mindfulness to optimize leadership team performance and trust. He offers a holistic and empathetic view on shaping technological advancements, policies, ethics, and morality for the betterment of humanity. This is a must-read for leaders who aim to lead in the new paradigm—a world of love and light.

New Perspective:

New paradigm company, Empathy-led Innovation, Mindful Leadership.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Hope, Refresh, I want to work for Microsoft.

TL;DR: While nothing groundbreaking, this book offers a ton of practicality by systematically articulating what we "should" innately know and laying it out so clearly that it feels almost foolish not to follow these simple steps. In a way, it doesn’t even require discipline or setting strict goals. Building good habits starts simply with awareness—recognizing that a change is needed and then making the conscious choice to change. Once that decision is made, the process is straightforward: make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. That’s all it takes.

New Perspective:

Making changes is much simpler than we think. In fact, think less, and simply make a choice and act.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Renewed sense of Empowerment, motivated.

TL;DR: The first edition of this book, published in 2007, was likely ahead of its time. I read the 2nd edition in 2024 and found it to be more relevant. As we begin to REdiscover how our energetic presence impacts everything we do and our way of being, understanding our energetic levels—rooted in ego, frequency, and awareness—becomes crucial. Mastering these aspects, both individually and within leadership and organizations, is the secret sauce for high-performing organizations grounded in passion, empathy, and innovation.

New Perspective:

Catabolic vs. anabolic leadership, intuitive leadership, fear does not exist in the present moment, and choice is freedom.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Refreshed, fearless, aligned, with a deep appreciation for operating beyond the physical plane.

TL;DR: I love the simple framework of being a conscious leader—just one black line. We are either above or below the line; it couldn’t be simpler. Each commitment nudges us to shift through the four ways of leading: “to me” (victim), “by me” (creator), “through me” (co-creator), and “as me” (oneness). Among the 15 commitments, the two that resonate with me most are: always seeing the opposite of my story as equally true or truer than my original story, and recognizing that I am the source of my approval, control, and security. I’ve read this book a few times, and it’s an excellent reminder for navigating the new paradigm.

New Perspective:

The four way of leading (being), See problems as an invitation of becoming.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Completed, transformed, enlightened (a bit more than before).

TL;DR: A simple yet powerful book that invites me to look inward and understand what self-awareness truly means. Each word in the poem seems to radiate a vibration, beginning with the author's pain and leading to clarity and connection. It feels magical. Reading the book itself feels like a healing session. The book is a sanctuary, providing space for reflection and growth.

The empty space in the book is as powerful as the words. The silence brings clarity, and the void creates connection.

New Perspective:

When we give space, we create a sanctuary for our audience.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Heal, clarity, love.

TL;DR: My past does not define me. I have the power to change at any moment, regardless of past experiences or traumas. All problems are interpersonal relationship problems, and they stem from the stories we tell ourselves, not from objective reality. Changing our perspective changes the narratives and challenges in life. True happiness is derived from finding meaning in the here and now. This theme comes up repeatedly in the books I read. Developing community feeling (Gemeinschaftsgefühl)—a sense of connectedness to humanity as a whole—and seeing our actions as contributions to others are key to overcoming inferiority complexes and leading fulfilling lives.

New Perspective:

It is not about self-affirmation; it is self-acceptance.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Liberating, courageous, light.

TL;DR: "Greenlight" is another word for synchronicities. McConaughey and I share this same belief: everything we do in life is part of a plan. Sometimes the plan goes as intended, and sometimes it doesn’t—that’s still part of the plan. Realizing this is a greenlight in itself. In the end, all red lights lead us to green lights. All destruction eventually leads to construction, all death eventually leads to birth, and all pain eventually leads to pleasure. It’s a matter of how we see the challenge in front of us and how we engage with it. It is up to us—our choice every time. With this understanding, enjoy the ride through this memoir of personal stories, life lessons, and reflections.

New Perspective:

Catching greenlights

How did I feel after reading this book?

Resilient, resonant, inspiring

TL;DR: I have a deep appreciation for Kobe's legacy. As a young boy, Kobe was relatively small and lacked a muscular build. During his time in Italy, he also played against smaller, less skilled players, which limited his opportunity to develop athletic explosiveness. When he returned to the U.S. as a teenager, he faced even greater challenges competing against players who were naturally taller, stronger, and faster. Rather than relying on natural dominance, Kobe worked tirelessly to develop his body, athleticism, and skills. His relentless work ethic became his defining trait, enabling him to outwork and eventually surpass peers who were initially more physically gifted. His journey demonstrates that greatness is the result of dedication, resilience, and the ability to learn from every experience.

New Perspective:

 An in-depth look into Kobe Bryant's formative years.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Perseverance and self-belief

TL;DR: How to speak your truth, express unmet needs, and honor the concerns of others through empathy and compassion. Using a framework of observations, feelings, needs, and requests, you enable more effective communication and reduce conflict. The key takeaway: when we focus on the emotions and needs behind a message, stay fully present, and offer empathy before providing solutions, criticism and conflict dissolve, leading to deeper understanding and connection.

New Perspective:

The power of empathetic listening

How did I feel after reading this book?

Compassion, connection, love

TL;DR: If you think you know how to love, think again. I wish I had read this book 20 years ago—it might have saved me some heartaches. But then again, those heartaches were lessons I needed to learn. True love starts with self-love. And self-love begins with being comfortable with ourselves in solitude. From there, it expands to loving another person, healing with another, and ultimately to loving all beings and the universe— embracing a sense of interconnectedness. This book is filled with nuggets of wisdom about love: seeking love, giving love, and being loved.

New Perspective:

I thought I knew, but I didn’t—until now: What love is, and how to love.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Compassion, balance, enlightened, inspire

TL;DR: Bruce Lee challenges the notion of rigid systems or fixed approaches, offering the perspective that the best way to navigate life, or a fight, is to remain fluid, like water. His emphasis on simplicity and efficiency in action applies not only to martial arts but also to everyday decision-making and problem-solving. Life, like a fight, isn’t about accumulating techniques or following predefined paths; it’s about stripping away the unnecessary and being fully present in the moment. This perspective has reshaped how I approach challenges, emphasizing the balance between preparation and spontaneity, discipline and freedom.

New Perspective:

Life is about stripping away the unnecessary.

How did I feel after reading this book?

Inspiring and grounding 

TL;DR: Our bodies have incredible healing power, and it's crucial to play an active role in our own healing by understanding how mental and emotional states impact our physical health. Many “dis-eases” stem from stress, so managing stress is essential for our well-being. While appreciating advancements in medical science, this book reminds us not to discount the power of our own healing mechanisms and to intuitively listen to the cues our bodies give us.

New Perspective:

Science meets spirituality, self-repair, self-healing

How did I feel after reading this book?

Empowered, Clear, and Grateful for my incredible body