Four books that might interest you
Sustainability, leadership, financing, and quality are at the heart of the challenges companies face today. In collaboration with getAbstract, we’re highlighting four recent books that explore these topics from different perspectives and offer practical insights for building a sustainable business.
Eat. Sleep. Work. What?
Rethinking the Economy. Less "hamster wheel" and more life.
Sarina Spiegel
Publisher: oekom
Year of publication: 2025
Pages: 240
ISBN: 9783987261640
Who is responsible for the ills of our time—social inequality, burnout, and environmental destruction? Our capitalist economic system—Sarina Spiegel is convinced of this. In her book, she advocates for an economy oriented toward the common good rather than mere growth. She calls for greater government intervention, higher wealth taxes, and stricter emissions limits. All of this is presented in a casual tone and through authentic-sounding stories that are clearly aimed at a young audience. Whether or not you share Spiegel’s controversial views, her book offers valuable food for thought and sound arguments. Anyone who engages with them will be well-prepared for the next heated debate.
getAbstract rating: 8
Qualities:
- Outspoken
- Visionary
- Controversial
Better Brains. Better Leadership.
Why Leadership Begins in the Brain—and How Neuroscience Explains Motivation, Trust, and Performance.
Martina Muttke
Publisher: De Gruyter
Publication year: 2026
Pages: 154
ISBN: 9783112234082
Good leadership is complex. So is the way the brain works. The points of overlap between these two areas are correspondingly diverse—and, thanks to new findings in neurology, they are becoming increasingly relevant to everyday business life. Martina Muttke, a medical doctor, coach, and investor familiar with both topics, provides a well-researched yet accessible overview in her book. She explains how neurotransmitters, stress, and trust shape our performance and what role emotions and physical processes play in this. Some of her arguments may seem extreme, while others are well-known—yet even these provide valuable insights for anyone seeking to rethink leadership.
getAbstract rating: 6
Qualities:
- Overview
- For Beginners
- Science-based
Sustainable Finance
The Use of Sustainable Financing in Businesses.
Hans-Werner Grunow, Sandra Stassinet, and Christoph Zender
Publisher: Springer Gabler
Publication year: 2026
Pages: 196
ISBN: 9783658495046
The market for sustainable finance is growing, but it is by no means a sure thing, as the authors of this book know. They describe the great potential that „sustainable finance“ can unleash in the economy, but also the hurdles that still need to be overcome. Much of the discussion revolves around the question of what is sustainable and what is not. Anyone seeking to demonstrate the sustainability of a transformation project to investors must comply with a wide range of regulations. The book offers valuable guidance on how sustainable companies can improve their financing prospects.
getAbstract rating: 7
Qualities:
- Systematically
- For experts
- Comprehensive
Next-Gen QM
101 New Perspectives on Effective Quality Management.
Benedikt Sommerhoff
Publisher: Carl Hanser Verlag
Publication year: 2026
Pages: 402
ISBN: 9783446484993
There’s no question that quality is a competitive advantage. That’s why quality management is essential—but it does sound a bit dry. Mechanical engineer Benedikt Sommerhoff manages to present this subject—which at first glance seems dry—in a very accessible way, thanks to a systematic structure, a wealth of useful infographics, and language that gets straight to the point. This makes the book interesting even for readers outside of quality departments. Anyone who wants to know how to build a quality-oriented organization will find this book a valuable resource.
getAbstract rating: 8
Qualities:
- Systematically
- Comprehensive
- Analytical
