2025 Business Book Awards Shortlist for International Business Book

Two years ago, Dr. Ella F. Washington, organizational psychologist, Founder and CEO of DEI strategy consulting firm Ellavate Solutions, and Professor of Practice at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, shared her vision for a fairer, healthier, more productive “workplace utopia” with business leaders looking to make positive change in The Necessary Journey: Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion. The book was a hit with the C-Suite, but left workers asking, What about me? How do I make sense of and navigate my workplace? How do I show up authentically when I’m the only person who looks like me? Do I even belong here? Now, Dr. Washington is back with Unspoken: A Guide to Cracking the Hidden Corporate Code, a practical guide for workers across the spectrum who want to succeed in the business world without sacrificing their authenticity. Unspoken is the book for every professional who’s asked these questions, battled imposter syndrome, or wondered how to expand their power and influence (and struggled with whether it’s okay to do so). In the book, Dr. Washington explains the unspoken rules that determine success in corporate settings, coaching readers in the tactics that will equip them to shape a successful career anchored in meaningful experiences. She shares practical strategies readers can use to own their story and their strengths, leverage their skills, and identify opportunities to excel and advance, along with stories from fellow professionals who have faced similar challenges and successfully navigated these spaces. Packed with fascinating research, helpful exercises, and real, practical advice, this book will help readers build their capacity to move forward more confidently, empowering them and equipping them with the tools and tactics they need to thrive at every level of their organization and build the careers and lives they want.

2025 Global Book Awards Silver Medalist in Business Development

Unlock the Business Advantage of a Multicultural Mindset

Joycelyn David, CEO of AV Communications and one of the 100 most influential Filipina women in the world, shares the essential blueprint for business leaders thriving in today's borderless marketplace. With over 20 years of expertise in multicultural marketing, David demonstrates how mastering your Multicultural Quotient (MQ)—the measurable essence of cultural intelligence—transforms good leaders into exceptional global changemakers.

In an era where business success increasingly depends on cross-cultural fluency, discover how to unlock your MQ, transcend cultural barriers, and forge authentic connections across diverse markets and teams. This guide reveals proven strategies for developing the multicultural mindset that global business demands, backed by real-world case studies and actionable frameworks. Whether you're a C-suite executive, entrepreneur, or marketing professional, you'll learn how to leverage cultural intelligence as your competitive advantage in an interconnected world.

The distance between markets is shrinking, but the need for genuine multicultural understanding has never been greater. Transform your leadership potential by mastering the one skill that defines tomorrow's global leaders—a powerful multicultural mindset.

The future of business is borderless. Where will your MQ take you?

Over a decade ago, Tim Houlne wrote The New World of Work, suggesting that many businesses would shift from the cube to the cloud. Work wouldn’t just be conducted in the office, and employees could work remotely. While this declaration was met with much resistance, two years of the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything, and many more companies embraced the concept of remote work.

Today, Houlne believes we’re at another pivotal moment in history where work is about to change again. As Houlne shares in The Intelligent Workforce, we live in a world where everything is digital, and the lines between humans and machines continue to blur at an unfathomable rate. The new world of work has fundamentally shifted how businesses operate—providing employees with a real-time, constant stream of emails, messages, and digital communications.

Unfortunately, many executives are far behind the times. They think owning a smartphone or moving away from physical files to digital means they are current with technological trends. But entrepreneurs who plan to be in business for the long term must understand that the level of human and artificial intelligence interactions will increase at an even more rapid rate than digital transitions of the past. For managers, it is critical they adapt to this digital transformation and jobs reset. Work is changing, careers are shifting, and those long sought-after titles and levels of seniority once thought invaluable seemingly devalue by the day.

While many fear the future and see machines as a replacement for humanity, Houlne is more optimistic and sees an opportunity for humans and machines to co-create the future. As he details in The Intelligent Workforce, machines are precise while humans have intuition. Combined, these make a powerful combination. There will always be jobs that humans do better than machines and jobs that machines do better than humans.

Houlne believes that businesses that continue to invest in AI will accelerate and widen the gap between those that do not. He argues that for most organizations to survive in the coming decade, they must recognize the emerging patterns of the digital workforce, understand the impact these changes will have on their teams and customers, and then take proactive steps to work with rather than against these changes.

Crisis is inevitable. Chaos is not.

Every organization will face a crisis—whether it’s an executive scandal, a cybersecurity breach, workplace violence, or a PR disaster. The difference between brands that survive and those that collapse is simple: The ones that prepare, win.

In Crisis Compass, crisis communications expert Michele Ehrhart pulls back the curtain on what truly separates effective leaders from those who crack under pressure. Drawing on decades of high-stakes experience—including managing crises for one of the world’s largest global corporations—Ehrhart delivers a practical, no-nonsense road map for leaders, PR professionals, and executives who want to stay ahead of the storm.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• the fatal flaws in crisis plans—why most organizations fail when it matters most;
• crisis drills and rehearsals—the real reason your team thinks it’s ready (but isn’t);
• the 24-hour rule—how to control the narrative before the crisis controls you;
• silence vs. speed—why sometimes, saying nothing is the smartest move;
• social media strategy—how to handle misinformation, leaks, and public panic; and
• what comes after the fire—post-crisis strategies to rebuild trust and reputation.

Using compelling, real-world case studies—including firsthand experience from corporate crises that made global headlines—Ehrhart gives leaders the exact strategies they need to think, respond, and lead under pressure. Whether you’re a business executive, PR strategist, or crisis communicator, Crisis Compass will transform the way you approach high-stakes moments.

The Zen Lobbyist offers a refreshing take on healthcare reform, blending personal wellness practices with systemic change. Gary Jacobs recounts his path from healthcare entrepreneur to advocate, drawing on experiences with meditation, yoga, and mindfulness to shape his unique approach to policy.

This book provides a framework for reimagining healthcare systems that goes beyond traditional medicine, emphasizing primary care, prevention, and collaborative solutions. Jacobs demonstrates how bipartisan efforts can bridge divides to create meaningful change, while also sharing the tools he uses to stay centered amid high-pressure environments.

Readers will find practical advice on managing personal health, leading with mindfulness, and advocating for a more compassionate healthcare system. The Zen Lobbyist is a powerful call to action for anyone seeking to improve both personal well-being and the health of society.