Inspiration and new perspectives – recommendations for the summer
At SSE Executive Education, we provide organizations and their leaders with new knowledge, research, innovative ways of thinking, and new tools that enable them to successfully drive their organization into the future. For the summer, we would like to share our recommendations for books, podcasts, and other resources that challenge thoughts, habits, and perspectives in a time of change. We wish you a lovely summer!
Humankind: A Hopeful History
Author: Rutger Bregman
Recommended by: Frida Pemer, Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Organization and House of Innovation at SSE
“What if people aren’t primarily egotistical? What if they are fundamentally decent?”
In his book, Humankind: A Hopeful History, Rutger Bregman challenges the recurrent depiction of human beings as egotistical and cynical. Drawing on examples taken from history, psychology, anthropology, and real-life events, he shows that the primary driving force behind our behavior as human beings is not that of self-interest, but rather a deep-seated urge towards collaboration, trust, and consideration. He also argues that being kind has actually had evolutionary benefits. In a time filled with unease and unpredictability, it is a message that both challenges and inspires.
This book offers managers and leaders more than just a story of hope: it offers a new perspective on how we can build cultures, lead in times of change, and create engagement. And maybe Bregman’s ideas can help us take smarter decisions, not in spite of but because of a more generous view of humans and human nature.
Humankind: A Hopeful History is not a classic leadership book, but it does make one think and offers perspectives that can make us reflect on – and maybe change – the way we see both people and organizations. A perfect book, in other words, for reading in your hammock and for prompting interesting discussions during these long summer evenings.
Arvejord
Author: Maria Turtschaninoff
Recommended by: Suvi Nenonen, Professor at the Department of Marketing and Strategy
“Need a little inspiration for your bookshelf or streaming queue? Here are two recommendations shaped by literary ambition, marital diplomacy, and a touch of Finnish magic.
Let’s start with the novel that defies the usual categories: Arvejord by Maria Turtschaninoff. It spans 400 years, features enough characters to make Tolstoy flinch, and flirts with magical realism—all while being firmly rooted in Ostrobothnia, Finland. (“Finnish magical realism?” you ask. “That sounds about as likely as a joyful midsummer without herring.”)
And yet, somehow, it works—brilliantly. The language is exquisite, the stories are moving and raw, and the subtle references to Finnish and Swedish history are beautifully woven in. It is ultimately a reflection on the importance of place and nature—how we carry landscapes with us, even as we move across the world and Zoom from anywhere.
Now, on to the screen. My husband and I agree on most things—except TV. He loves it; I… tolerate it. But marriage is about compromise, and one night that compromise led us to Wolf Hall (available on SVT Play). It is a quiet masterpiece about the rise of Thomas Cromwell, full of political intrigue, leadership dilemmas, and the kind of acting that makes you sit up straighter on the sofa. Think power plays, ethics (or the lack thereof), and velvet doublets. The acting is superb, the silences eloquent, and the series as smart as anything BBC has ever made. I enjoyed it so much that the original Hilary Mantel trilogy is now on my nightstand. Turns out, TV time isn’t always wasted time!
THE WORLD NEEDS GREAT LEADERS. BE ONE!
We offer a wide range of educational programs. Find the right education for you >>
