A list designed for professionals, managers, and people interested in better understanding how organizations innovate and grow in complex environments.
- Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight – Innovation, entrepreneurship, and team culture
In this autobiography, Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, recounts how the company was born in 1964 under the name Blue Ribbon Sports and how it managed to become one of the most recognized sports brands in the world. The book offers an honest view of entrepreneurship, marked by risky decisions, mistakes, and constant learning.
Recommended by: Carlos Cendra, Scouting & Investment Lead of Corporate Innovation at Mapfre.
“The book includes the financial, legal, and personal obstacles that the author faced while building the company, highlighting team culture as a key factor. Highly recommended for those interested in entrepreneurship and the real stories behind major brands.”
- Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman – Psychology of thought and decision-making
This fundamental book explores how our mind works based on two thought systems: a quick and intuitive one, and a slower and more reflective one. Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize winner, combines psychology and behavioral economics to explain why we make irrational decisions and how cognitive biases influence our judgment.
Recommended by: Bárbara Fernández, Deputy Director of Corporate Innovation at Mapfre.
“It is an ideal read for those interested in psychology, business, and decision-making. It uses clear language and everyday examples, which makes it a book with many practical applications both professionally and personally.”
- Disrupt Yourself, by Jay Samit – Personal innovation and professional transformation
In Disrupt Yourself, Jay Samit explains how the innovation strategies used by companies can also be applied at the individual level. The book offers a practical look at how to reinvent oneself professionally, identify opportunities, and evolve without necessarily relying on external financing.
Recommended by: Esther González, expert in Corporate Innovation at Mapfre.
“It helps identify the weak links in the personal value chain and transform them to evolve professionally, from how to better channel energy to how to improve the quality and focus of work.”
- Open, by Andre Agassi – Resilience, pressure, and continuous learning
Written by J.R. Moehringer, this autobiography covers the life of Andre Agassi, from his childhood to his success as a professional tennis player. Beyond sports, the book reflects on discipline, external pressure, resilience, and emotional management.
Recommended by: Alessio Beninati, Innovation Manager in Corporate Innovation at Mapfre.
“It is an inspiring story for those facing great challenges. It shows that success depends not only on talent or work, but also on the ability to be resilient and stay determined.”
- The Art of Innovation, by Tom Kelley – Design-thinking and innovative culture
This book explores how IDEO—one of the world’s most influential design firms—operates, and how its approach to creativity and problem-solving has led to iconic innovations such as the Apple mouse. Tom Kelley explains the principles of a creative culture built on design-thinking, collaboration, and experimentation.
Recommended by: José María Cancer, General Manager of CESVIMAP.
“A highly recommended read to understand how a company with a deeply innovative culture works. Moreover, some of his anecdotes are especially funny and inspiring.”
- Creative Construction: The DNA of Sustained Innovation, by Gary P. Pisano – Innovation in large companies
This book challenges the idea that only startups can innovate. Gary P. Pisano demonstrates, based on his research with large corporations and growing companies, how scale can become a competitive advantage if innovation processes are well managed.
Recommended by: Daniel Almodóvar, Innovation Delivery Manager in Corporate Innovation at Mapfre.
“Large companies cannot operate like startups. They need to balance innovation with existing business management, which requires specific management approaches and practices.”
- How to Detect Lies, by Paul Ekman – Communication, emotions, and human behavior
In this book, psychologist Paul Ekman analyzes how facial micro-expressions, body language, and certain speech patterns can reveal hidden emotions and possible deception. A useful read to improve interpersonal understanding.
Recommended by: Ángel Martínez, expert in Corporate Innovation at Mapfre.
“It explains in a simple way and with examples how to identify signs of deception. It helps you to read people better and understand what they really want to communicate.”
- Bonus track: The Social Network, by David Fincher – Entrepreneurship, technology, and ethical dilemmas
This film narrates the origin of Facebook and the rise of Mark Zuckerberg, focusing on personal relationships, legal agreements, and conflicts that arise in the creation of technology companies.
Recommended by: Paloma Casero, member of the Corporate Innovation team at Mapfre.
“Beyond social networks, it is a lesson about the importance of agreements from the start of any project and about how vision and execution can overcome adversity, although often at a high personal cost.”
