Literary Inspiration

We have a lunch every Friday in the BYU business school, where we discuss 'how to change the world', and other such altruistic and slightly capitalist notions. Some of the regulars have asked for suggestions on where to go for poignant prose. So, without further ado here are my slightly biased recommendations (in no particular order):

• How to Change the World, David Bornstein - A must-read from journalist turned SE guru and advocate.
  
• Life Entrepreneur, Chris Gergen - A resonating documentation of Gen Y's demands on their own lives and careers.
  
• The Power of Unreasonable People, Pamela Hartigan - Those pesky SE's shaking up the world with their brilliant, fandangled ideas and businesses
  
• So You Want to Change the World?, David Bornstein - Engaging and challenging follow-up lecture to the book.
• Good to Great Social Sectors supplement, Jim Collins - Particularly great section on success/effective-ness measurement in social orgs.
  
• Influencer, Kerry Patterson - Academically rigorous and widely applicable model for anyone looking to exert influence or change behaviours.
  
• The White Man's Burden, William Easterly - Classic discussion of the multiple complexities of aid and charity.
  
• Philanthrocapitalism, Matthew Bishop and Michael Green - Lives, times and current goings-on of rock-star philanthropists and friends.
  
• Globalization and its Discontents/Making Globalization Work, Joseph E Stiglitz - Economist's perspective on the era of globalisation.
  
• Forces for Good, Leslie Crutchfield - Dispelling non-profit myths and exposing best practices.
  

How the rich can save the world

Today, in the gym, I finished reading 'Philanthrocapitalism'. Great book on the cutting edge trends and practices of philanthropy. Mostly a 'big-up' to Bill Gates, but also regular smatterings of dialogue with many other philanthropists, each tackling the charge of making a difference using varied methods. What they all have in common, and my favourite part of the book, is covered in chapter 6. VISION.

Some of these individuals have audacious goals and pictures of the world they are trying to create. This is one of my favourite aspects of SE, in general: seeing a different version of reality, one where an innovative well executed idea provides a real life solution, that works. People who see solutions are those who make them happen. And those who will never be bored or out of work.

A must-read for anyone in the giving/social ent space.
Chapter 6, a must-read for any and everybody.