At any given time, there are multiple corporate crises happening around the world. In the age of social media, these crises “go viral” more quickly than ever before. This naturally creates a villain in the space where a corporation once was. Read the comments on any crisis response message and you can suddenly transport yourself to the scene in Beauty and the Beast where the mob of villagers storms the Beast’s castle. “Light your torch, mount your horse. Screw your courage to the sticking place. […] It’s time to take some action, boys. It’s time to follow me.” So if stakeholders and social media responses are Gaston and his people, is the corporation really a beast? And are the people who work in that castle responsible?

Last year, I published a 2018 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Reading List, and loved the conversations I had with many of you throughout the year about those books. When something works, do it again! Just like last year, these books fall into four key categories: must-reads, big topics, general business, and leadership. This list is by no means comprehensive. Please help me add to it by listing your favorite book, podcast or video in the comments.

My favorite networking question in any situation is, “What are you reading?” Studies show the average American reads only 1-2 books per year, but Fortune 500 CEOs read 4-5 books each month. If you want to be successful, open a book! I keep a “books to read” list in my phone, and my “buy with 1 click” habit on Amazon has gotten, let’s just say, problematic. So I always want to know what others are reading.

In corporate responsibility and sustainability, I’m also often asked what I’m reading often. For those interested in getting into CSR, there are must read texts. And for leaders in the field, there is always an opportunity to learn more. As we move into February, I’m putting together a combination of those “must reads” and my personal favorites. Next time we see each other, let’s talk about one of these incredible books in four key categories: must reads, climate change, business and leadership. Read on…