As summer settles in and the pace of work begins to soften (at least theoretically!), it seems a good time to take stock, reflect, and re-energise. Whether you’re on a beach, a train, or just taking a quiet moment outside, a thought-provoking book can be the ideal companion – particularly one that opens up new perspectives on how we think, work, and collaborate.
We’ve selected three powerful, thought-provoking reads for a reflective summer. Each offers fresh insight into human motivation, behaviour and the unseen forces that shape our professional lives.
1. What We Want: A Journey Through Twelve of Our Deepest Desires by Charlotte Fox Weber
A beautifully written exploration of what drives us beneath the surface – ambition, belonging, control, love, and more. Drawing on her work as a psychotherapist, Fox Weber invites us into the lives of clients wrestling with the contradictions of being human.
This isn’t just a book about therapy; it’s a lens on the inner motivations that show up in the boardroom, in teams, and in leadership. What are we really seeking when we pursue success, assert ourselves in meetings, or hesitate to speak up? A perfect summer read to gently peel back the layers of your own inner world and that of our fellow humans.
2. Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett
A brisk, engaging introduction to the fascinating – and often misunderstood – organ that drives all behaviour: the brain.
Barrett, a neuroscientist and psychologist, unpacks how the brain isn’t just reactive, but predictive; how emotions aren’t hardwired, and how social connection shapes the very structure of our cognition. If you work with people (and that’s most of us), this book will leave you rethinking assumptions about motivation, decision-making, and change. Short enough for a weekend, rich enough to shift your practice.
3. Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living by Dimitris Xygalatas
From morning check-ins to organisational off-sites, rituals play a powerful (and often overlooked) role in workplace culture. In this eye-opening read, Xygalatas explores the science and significance of rituals across human life – and what they offer modern organisations.
With examples from anthropology, psychology, and neuroscience, this book shows how collective practices strengthen trust, connection, and meaning. A great read for leaders and facilitators thinking about culture, cohesion and human-centred design.
Final Thoughts
If we are lucky, summer offers us a moment to slow down, zoom out, and explore ideas with a little more space to reflect. These three books invite us to think more deeply about what drives us, how we work with others, and how we shape the environments where collaboration happens. So, wherever your summer takes you, we hope you find time to pause, reflect, and return with fresh energy for the rest of the year.
