The best management books revealed (and why you need to be reading them)

07 February 2017 -

CMI reveals the winners of the 2017 Management Book of the Year awards

Matt Scott

The battle against groupthink took centre stage at the 2017 Management Book of the Year Awards as Originals, written by Adam Grant and published by Ebury (WH Allen) beat off the competition to claim top spot.

Originals received its first win of the night in the Awards’ ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ category as the read that will “best inspire innovation, encourage business or product development or support organisational development and adaptability”.

In Originals, Grant shows how to improve the world by championing novel ideas and values that go against the grain, battling conformity, and bucking outdated traditions. Using surprising studies and stories spanning business, politics, sports, and entertainment, Grant explores how to recognise a good idea, speak up without getting silenced, build a coalition of allies, choose the right time to act, and manage fear and doubt.

“It’s a tremendous honour to win CMI’s Management Book of the Year,” Grant said. “Originals is about how to champion new ideas and fight groupthink - a topic that matters today more than ever for leaders and managers, not to mention politicians.

“I thank CMI, the judges and everyone involved with the competition for this recognition.”

CMI CEO Ann Francke said: “Originals is a timely winner, offering valuable lessons for leaders and managers as they face up to the challenges and opportunities of Brexit. We need to change the old default ways of doing business, and this book will help you to do plenty of original thinking to stay competitive.

”I also congratulate our other winners for their highly topical insights into the art of negotiation, business ethics and boosting productivity – all are essential reads for today's uncertain business and political climate.”

Phil Spence, Chief Operating Officer of The British Library, which supports the competition, said: “Congratulations to Adam Grant for being awarded CMI Management Book of the Year with Originals. With the British Library’s unparalleled collection of management resources, we are delighted to be hosting the awards once again, championing innovation in management and leadership.”

The Management Book of the Year category winners

Practical Manager

Awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the judges, offers the best practical insights or guidance to help practising managers in their work or professional development.

Winner: The Negotiation Book by Steve Gates, published by Wiley (Capstone)

Management Futures

Awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the judges, offers a valuable insight into the future of management, providing current and aspiring managers with the skills or knowledge to support them in the workplace of the future.

Winner: Superforecasting by Philip Tetlock and Dan Gardner, published by Random House Books

Commuter’s Read

Awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the judges, will best serve commuters and retain their attention during a journey to work by inspiring them, informing them about and engaging them with a management and leadership topic.

Winner: How to be REALLY Productive by Grace Marshall, published by Pearson

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the judges, will best inspire innovation, encourage business or product development or support organisational development and adaptability.

Winner: Originals by Adam Grant, published by Ebury (WH Allen)

Management and Leadership Textbook

Awarded to the entry that, in the opinion of the judges, will most effectively support a course of study on a management and leadership topic.

Winner: The Origins of Ethical Failures by Dennis Gentilin, published by Routledge

The award, which is run in association with The British Library and sponsored by Henley Business School, is judged by a panel of leading business and management figures. The winning book was selected by Patrick Dunne CCMI (Chairman, EY Foundation), Andy Rubin (Chairman, Pentland Brands), Professor Rebecca Taylor (Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law at The Open University), Delroy Beverley (Chairman, Bradford University School of Management) and Diane Lees CBE (Director General, Imperial War Museums).