Books have the power to influence our thoughts, leadership, and problem-solving long after we’ve put them down. According to neuroscience research, reading fiction helps improve critical thinking, sensitivity, and adaptability—skills that are vital in both the personal and professional spheres. A single narrative has the power to expose us to viewpoints that we may not otherwise experience, challenging our preconceptions or forcing us to rethink well-known problems. According to author Ursula K. Le Guin, “It comes to life when the reader reads it.” In this expert roundup, seasoned pros discuss how specific novels have shaped their perspective and method of working. What lessons about connection, creativity, and resilience can be learned from a well-told story? The way these stories still have an impact on decisions made in the actual world might hold the solution.
Editor’s note: This article references works of fiction that contain depictions of illness, trauma, and other intense themes, which may not be suitable for all readers.
Table of Contents
Ender’s Game Shapes E-Commerce Leadership Philosophy
One young adult novel that significantly influenced my perspective on growth and resilience is “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card. I first read it long before my executive career began, but its lessons have stayed relevant throughout my journey leading large e-commerce organizations and advising global clients.
Ender’s experience in the novel is, at its core, about being placed in unfamiliar, high-pressure environments and having to adapt rapidly. In the business world, especially in digital transformation and omnichannel strategy, you are constantly challenged by shifting markets, rapid technological change, and the need to make critical decisions with incomplete information. Ender’s approach – analyzing the situation, questioning assumptions, and building trust within diverse teams – mirrors effective leadership in these circumstances.
There is a particular moment in “Ender’s Game” when Ender realizes that traditional thinking will not solve new problems. This mindset has proven essential in my work consulting for multinational brands. For example, when integrating AI into marketing operations, relying on legacy processes can be detrimental. Instead, leaders must foster cultures where questioning the status quo is not only accepted but expected. During ECDMA’s digital transformation workshops, I notice the most resilient teams are those that see challenges as opportunities to experiment and refine their approach, much like Ender does during his training.
Equally important is the theme of self-discovery. Ender faces intense scrutiny and must reconcile his abilities with his values. This resonates in personal branding and thought leadership. Building a credible voice in the industry is not just about expertise but about understanding your unique strengths and communicating them authentically. When mentoring business leaders, I emphasize that sustainable growth stems from self-awareness, honest reflection, and the willingness to evolve in response to feedback.
“Ender’s Game” does not romanticize struggle – it treats growth as the outcome of consistent, strategic effort under real constraints. That perspective continues to shape how I approach both organizational consulting and the development of high-performing teams. The discipline to adapt, the courage to challenge norms, and the humility to learn remain central to my leadership philosophy.
Eugene Mischenko, President, E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Association
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Holes Inspires Law Career Focused on Second Chances
As someone who’s owned a law firm for years and now runs Paralegal Institute, I’d say “Holes” by Louis Sachar completely reshaped how I think about second chances and finding purpose through helping others.
Stanley’s change from victim to someone who breaks generational curses hit me hard when I transitioned from estate planning to personal injury law. Just like Stanley had to dig deeper to uncover the truth, I realized my real calling was digging into cases where corporations and individuals refuse to do what’s right–protecting people who stand to lose everything.
The book’s theme about how individual actions can break cycles of injustice directly influenced how I built my firm’s culture. Instead of the typical competitive law firm environment, I focus on collaboration and mentorship. When I hire paralegals, I look for people who’ve overcome challenges because they understand what our clients are going through.
Stanley’s journey from Zero to hero taught me that teaching and empowering others amplifies your impact exponentially. That’s exactly why I shifted from just practicing law to developing Paralegal Institute’s curriculum–training paralegals who then go help thousands of clients across the country creates a much bigger ripple effect than I could ever achieve alone.
Matthew Pfau, Curriculum Developer & Educator, Paralegal Institute
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Stars Novel Transforms Clinical Approach to Vulnerability
“The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green completely shifted how I approach shame and vulnerability in my clinical practice with new parents. Hazel’s journey of accepting her reality while still pursuing meaningful connections mirrors what I see daily working with parents facing severe pregnancy complications like hyperemesis gravidarum.
The book showed me that acknowledging difficulty doesn’t diminish hope—it actually creates space for authentic healing. When I experienced severe pregnancy sickness myself while working as an NHS Clinical Psychologist, I initially felt ashamed about struggling professionally while facing personal challenges. Hazel’s acceptance of her limitations while still choosing to love deeply taught me that vulnerability can coexist with strength.
This insight revolutionized my therapy approach at Know Your Mind Consulting. Instead of helping parents “overcome” perinatal mental health struggles, I help them develop compassion for their experience while still thriving. Our clients see 40% better engagement when we frame therapy around accepting difficult emotions rather than eliminating them.
The novel’s emphasis on finding meaning within constraints directly influenced how I support parents returning to work after birth trauma or baby loss. Like Hazel choosing to live fully despite uncertainty, my clients learn to rebuild professional identity while honoring their changed perspective on life’s fragility.
Dr. Rosanna Gilderthorp, Clinical Psychologist & Director, Know Your Mind Consulting
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Holes Reveals Hidden Potential in Struggling Students
As someone who taught middle school for 8+ years and now runs a tutoring company, “Holes” by Louis Sachar completely changed how I approach student motivation. Stanley Yelnats gets thrown into an impossible situation at Camp Green Lake, but instead of giving up, he finds ways to connect with others and finds strengths he never knew he had.
The book showed me that students often arrive feeling defeated—just like Stanley felt cursed by his family’s bad luck. When I was teaching 7th grade math, I had kids who’d been told they were “bad at math” for years. I started treating each struggling student like Stanley: someone with hidden potential who just needed the right environment to shine.
Now at A Traveling Teacher, we use what I call the “Stanley approach”—we never assume a student’s past struggles define their future. Last year, one of our students went from failing algebra to getting a B+ in honors geometry. Just like Stanley breaking his family’s curse, sometimes kids just need someone to believe their story isn’t over yet.
The lesson that stuck with me most was how Stanley’s individual growth helped everyone around him succeed too. That’s exactly what happens in our tutoring sessions—when one student gains confidence, it ripples out to help their whole family feel more hopeful about academics.
Peter Panopoulos, Owner, A Traveling Teacher Education LLC
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Hatchet Builds Resilient Business Through Resourceful Problem-Solving
I’d have to go with “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen. At 13, I was literally building our family home from the ground up with my brothers—no contractors, just us kids learning as we went. Brian’s survival story hit different when you’re already living with your hands, figuring out solutions nobody taught you.
The book’s core message about resourcefulness with limited tools became my business philosophy. When my brother and I started Wright’s Shed Co at 16 in 1997, we had zero capital and were competing against established players. Brian’s approach of using what’s available and building incrementally is exactly how we’ve grown debt-free for over 25 years.
What really stuck was how Brian’s setbacks weren’t failures—they were data. When we’ve had custom builds go sideways or material costs spike unexpectedly, I think about that mentality. One particularly brutal winter in Nebraska nearly killed a major project timeline, but we adapted our approach and ended up developing a cold-weather construction method that became a competitive advantage.
The book taught me that resilience isn’t about avoiding problems—it’s about getting comfortable with discomfort while you solve them. That mindset has carried us through thousands of custom builds across four states without ever taking on debt or cutting corners on quality.
Dan Wright, Co-Founder & CEO, Wright’s Shed Co.
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Mango Street Bridges Cultural Identity in Therapy
As someone who specializes in transgenerational trauma with bicultural families, “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros completely shifted how I approach identity work with my clients. Esperanza’s struggle between wanting to escape her neighborhood while honoring her roots mirrors exactly what I see with first and second-generation Americans in my practice.
The book taught me that identity isn’t about choosing one world over another—it’s about building bridges. When Esperanza realizes she can leave Mango Street but still belong to it, that became my framework for helping clients steer cultural expectations without losing themselves. I’ve had clients go from panic attacks about disappointing their families to confidently setting boundaries while maintaining loving relationships.
What really stuck was how Cisneros shows that shame about your background actually disconnects you from your power. I use this insight constantly with my EMDR work—about 70% of my clients carry deep shame about not being “American enough” or “traditional enough.” One client told me after our sessions: “I hardly recognize this person who is assertive, confident, knows who they are.”
The novel’s message that your story and background are sources of strength, not barriers, became central to how I help people break generational cycles. Instead of running from their heritage, my clients learn to honor it while creating the life they actually want.
Cristina Deneve, Founder, Empower U
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Curious Incident Redefines Neurodiversity Assessment Approach
As a psychologist who’s spent 15+ years working with neurodivergent individuals, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon fundamentally changed how I approach autism assessments and family dynamics.
Christopher’s logical, pattern-seeking mind showed me that what others label as “deficits” are often incredible strengths viewed through the wrong lens. This directly influenced why I built Bridges of the Mind around neurodiversity-affirming practices instead of traditional deficit-based models. When I see a Black preteen who communicates easily with adults but struggles socially (like one recent client whose ADHD and autism were missed by two previous therapists), I look for Christopher’s type of masking and unique processing patterns.
The book’s portrayal of Christopher’s father’s well-meaning but misguided protection resonated deeply when I work with families. Parents often come to me exhausted from years of seeking answers, just like Christopher’s dad was overwhelmed. I learned to validate both the child’s need for understanding AND the family’s journey—not just focus on the diagnosis.
Most importantly, Christopher’s determination to solve mysteries despite overwhelming sensory challenges shaped my “no waitlist” business model. Families shouldn’t have to wait 8-12 months for answers when a child is struggling daily, just like Christopher couldn’t wait to understand what happened to Wellington the dog.
Erika Frieze, Owner & CEO, Bridges of the Mind
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Wrinkle in Time Transforms Executive Problem-Solving
As someone who’s been coaching C-suite executives for 30+ years, I have to go with “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. The concept of tessering—taking shortcuts through space and time—completely reframed how I think about problem-solving in leadership.
Meg’s journey taught me that the biggest obstacles often require unconventional approaches, not linear thinking. When I started my software company in 1994, traditional business models said we needed massive funding and years of development. Instead, we tessered—found creative shortcuts by focusing on healthcare outcomes tracking when nobody else was doing it, then sold to Echo Group within a few years.
The book’s emphasis on embracing your faults as strengths has become central to my coaching philosophy. Meg’s stubbornness becomes her superpower, just like I’ve seen with dozens of executives. One Managing Director I coached was constantly criticized for being “too direct”—we reframed this as his competitive advantage in financial services, where clear communication saves millions.
What really stuck was Mrs. Whatsit’s lesson that you have to choose love over fear when facing the unknown. In my 60+ coach consulting practice, I’ve watched leaders transform entire organizations by making decisions from curiosity rather than defensiveness. The ripple effect is measurable—teams perform 25% better when their leaders operate from growth mindset rather than protection mode.
Bill Berman, CEO, Berman Leadership
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Outsiders Fuels Attorney’s Fight Against Insurance Giants
As a personal injury attorney who’s secured multiple seven-figure settlements across five jurisdictions, I’d have to say “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton completely changed how I view resilience and fighting for justice. Ponyboy’s realization that “nothing gold can stay” taught me that life’s most precious moments—like a client’s ability to walk or work—can be stolen in an instant.
When I’m sitting across from insurance adjusters trying to lowball settlements, I think about how the Greasers had to stick together against impossible odds. That book showed me that real strength comes from protecting your family when powerful forces try to crush you. It’s why I never back down during negotiations, even when insurance companies have teams of lawyers.
The biggest lesson was learning that being an “outsider” isn’t a weakness—it’s your superpower. Early in my career, other attorneys would take quick settlements and move on, but I realized my job was to be the outsider who refuses to accept unfair treatment. When I led that Colorado office from 2 to over 30 attorneys, it was because we built a reputation for being the firm that insurance companies knew wouldn’t fold.
That “stay gold” mentality means fighting to preserve what matters most for my clients—their dignity, their future, their family’s security. It’s probably why clients like Laura mention I handled her “nightmare situation” in just one week, because sometimes you need someone willing to be the outsider who won’t play by their rules.
Joe Caputo, Partner, William Caputo Injury Lawyers
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Hunger Games Empowers Fight Against Corporate Injustice
For me, *The Hunger Games* by Suzanne Collins stands out, particularly for shaping my views on resilience and the power of fighting against overwhelming odds. Katniss Everdeen’s unwavering fight against an oppressive system resonated deeply with me.
Her struggle mirrored the resilience I see daily in employees who feel isolated while challenging large corporations for basic rights. This is critical when we’re fighting to expand discrimination claims or pushing back on unfair arbitration agreements so clients can have their day in court.
It reinforces my commitment to the long fight for justice, which is why I’ve litigated over 1,000 employment cases and tried over 20 to verdict. Empowering employees to assert their rights, even against powerful, entrenched systems, is a key part of our practice.
Nick Norris, Partner, Watson Norris, PLLC
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Harry Potter Inspires Restaurant’s Haven for Locals
It’s a bit cliché, but *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone* always comes to mind. It’s about finding your place, realizing your own potential, and building a crew that’s got your back.
Just like Harry finding Hogwarts, I wanted The Nines to be that ‘haven for locals’ where people feel they belong. Watching Lani and Matt work their ‘kitchen magic’ with the team, even when it’s 50 degrees, reminds me of the resilience forged when a good crew comes together.
Building The Nines over the last decade has been my own journey of ‘figuring things out on the fly’ and constantly ‘tweaking the menu, rethinking the vibe’. It reinforced that real growth comes from daring to be ‘bigger, bolder, and way more fun’ even when it’s a hustle.
Janice Kuz TNE, Owner, The Nines Emporium
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Fault in Stars Teaches Valuable Growth Mindset
“The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green highlights growth, self-discovery, and resilience through the lives of two teens, Hazel and Augustus, as they face serious health challenges. Their journey illustrates the importance of confronting obstacles and reassessing goals, encouraging a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for learning and growth—valuable lessons for personal and professional development.
Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo
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Outsiders Teaches Resilience Beyond Toughness in Business
*The Outsiders* hit me hard as a teen and weirdly still echoes in my professional life. It’s all about identity, survival, and trying to find your place when the odds are stacked. That whole “stay gold” line? It stuck. It reminded me that resilience isn’t about being tough—it’s about holding onto what makes you human when things get messy. Whether you’re building a business or figuring out who you are, that lesson never gets old.
Justin Belmont, Founder & CEO, Prose
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Knife Novel Teaches Leadership Through Difficult Questions
I would pick The Knife of Never Letting Go, written by Patrick Ness, as my choice here. I’m not really into YA novels, but this one was interesting for me. In this story, the main character, Todd Hewitt, had to deal with a society where privacy didn’t exist and everyone could hear everyone else’s thoughts. That idea of constant noise and pressure was strangely familiar in business and leadership, where decisions are made in public and expectations never really end.
One of the takeaways I had from this title was that being tough didn’t necessarily mean being the strongest or most confident person. It also means getting ready to ask the tough questions even if you don’t know what the answers might be, or even if you knew they would not favor you. You can be frustrated, you can be upset, but you still need to do the right thing, even if it’s not the easiest decision. It’s always good to learn how to think for yourself, and this story will help you do that.
Gianluca Ferruggia, General Manager, DesignRush
About ‘What Experts Read’
In our unique series, ‘What Experts Read,’ discover the literary inspirations and must-reads of thought leaders and industry experts. Each article highlights the books that have impacted the viewpoints, tactics, and success of successful entrepreneurs and seasoned leaders in their respective areas.
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