Confronting the Storm by David Ross is a comprehensive book covering considerations related to how leaders can change their thinking to include employees and others across the organization to advance with the evolving times. Technology is changing so quickly that leaders need to react immediately. The book aims to provide readers with motivational stories of adapting and to encourage them to be open to exploring fresh ideas in the current atmosphere. The book gives these leaders the tools they need to implement those changes. The author uses issues that have occurred, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires, to demonstrate how organizations need to alter their ways of thinking to adapt to what is happening presently. This modern climate has required both leaders and employees to alter their perception of living isolated.

Stakeholders are dissatisfied because leaders are hesitant to change and have yet to perceive the time has arrived to act. The author challenges leaders to balance pleasing their stakeholders with listening to their employees and considering the needs of the audience they serve. It is no longer a world of simply making money for stakeholders. It is now a realm of making the world a better place for future generations. Old thinking holds that the leader has ideas and everyone else must do what the leader says. The author suggests that new thinking is necessary where all participants are heard and all opinions are important to resolve concerns, especially on a global scale.

The author gives several examples of individuals who are doing the work he admires, those open to the input of their employees, adapting to changing times. For instance, an organization in China called the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) was once dedicated to advocating for birds but literally overnight had to pivot to change its model based on the evolving environment. This dedication demonstrates the type of openness the author is trying to motivate the reader to adopt in their organizations.

He also makes a case for collaboration which is described as the mutual advantage created through connection, leveraging, and alignment of resources. A case in point would be EcoPeace Me in the Middle East, which is working together with three diverse countries to secure water resources and bring environmental awareness. These individuals from Israel, Palestine, and Jordan work together to create a wonderful organization that will better the lives of others.

For the last 30 years, the author has assisted directors in pivoting their businesses in reaction to developments in the business climate and when structural adjustments are necessary. The author investigates the results-driven strategies used by these leaders to attain their objectives. Because the author is writing this book amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the data is current and pertinent to our real and symbolically changing environment. The author conducted interviews with a number of persons and leaders from many industries for this book, as well as drawing on his personal experiences.

I agree with the author’s concept that companies must adapt to changing circumstances. For example, we may need to get acclimated to the concept of working from home more frequently and adopting adapting technology to our new surroundings. Clearly, the author values the ideas offered here, and he is enthusiastic to help, devoting his life and career to assisting leaders. The reasons presented will be easily understood by the great majority of experienced leaders. This book has a lot to offer for business influencers given it is significantly more extensive and informative than the ordinary business book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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