INTHEBLACK June 2026 - Magazine - Page 12
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Latest reads
Our top reads for accountants and finance professionals
Better
How to Disagree Better
Andrew Horsfield
Australian Society of Authors
Julia Minson
Avery
In his latest book Better,
performance consultant and
podcast host Andrew Horsfield
shares advice for overcoming
setbacks, uncertainty and self-doubt
to improve performance. Drawing
on his experiences coaching leaders
from various spheres including elite
sport, he outlines strategies for
turning the “messy middle” of challenges into opportunities
for growth. At a time when many workers feel disengaged
or stuck in their roles, this book gives leaders and other
professionals the tools to gain clarity about their purpose
and goals, and the confidence to pursue them.
In How to Disagree Better,
Harvard Kennedy School professor
and behavioural scientist
Julia Minson writes that a typical
American has 6.2 memorable
disagreements each week and
spends 3.7 hours dwelling on them.
She argues that people avoid
disagreements because they focus
more on the costs (such as feelings of discomfort) than
the benefits. However, disagreements are essential in complex
work that demands diverse ideas and expertise. In this book,
Minson instructs readers how to express views clearly
and engage with opposing views. For professionals, these
are important skills to cultivate, leading to better
collaboration, decision-making and innovation.
Open to Work: How to Get
Ahead in the Age of AI
We Know You Can Pay
a Million: Inside the Dark
Economy of Hacking
and Ransomware
Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Raman
HarperCollins
Anja Shortland
Profile Books
“AI won’t replace you at work,
but someone using AI likely will.”
This line in the opening chapter
sets the tone for Open to Work,
in which LinkedIn’s CEO and chief
economic opportunity officer
discuss the evolution of job skill
requirements in the age of AI. From the outset, they warn
that a gap is widening between workers already using AI
and those resisting it. Through case studies, the authors
show how AI can take over routine tasks and highlight the
skills workers will need to remain relevant and competitive.
It is a timely prompt for anyone still hesitant to engage with
artificial intelligence.
12 INTHEBLACK June 2026
Ransomware attacks are an
unavoidable threat for businesses.
Anja Shortland, a professor in
political economy at King’s College
London, says the economic cost,
including response and recovery
to attacks, is about US$57 billion
(A$78.69 billion) per year and could reach US$200 billion
(A$276.09 billion) by 2030. She explores how ransomware
became a global security threat and the risks of normalising
ransom payments. Shortland also questions what can be done
to deter ransomware criminals and protect computer users.
This book serves as a guide for organisations to prioritise
robust cybersecurity and preparedness, helping reduce
exposure and minimise the impact of attacks.
