Books

Originally posted in our October 2025 Top of Mind Newsletter. What if we measured learning not by time spent in class, but by what we can actually do? In his book, Mastery, Tony Wagner critiques an education system focused on grades and tests, arguing it leaves us unprepared. He champions “mastery learning,” where individuals progress only when they can use what they’ve learned, fostering deeper motivation and real-world readiness. As Tony shared on our podcast, this…

Originally posted in our August 2024 Top of Mind Newsletter. Recently, we’ve been inspired by the wisdom in James Allen’s classic text “As a Man Thinketh.” This insightful volume likens a person’s mind to a garden, emphasizing that our thoughts and actions are profoundly shaped by how we “tend” to them. This metaphorical framing helps us ask important questions of ourselves.  Are we letting our thoughts run wild? Or are we cultivating “right and useful” thoughts?…

Originally posted in our February 2024 Top of Mind Newsletter. In Joseph Nguyen’s book, “Don’t Believe Everything You Think,” he reminds us that our interpretation of events shapes our emotional response, not the events themselves. This insight underscores the power of mindset in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. By understanding how our thoughts influence outcomes, we can cultivate resilience and find happiness amidst adversity—a fundamental principle of the entrepreneurial mindset. “It’s not about the events that…

Originally posted in our December 2023 Top of Mind Newsletter. In the landscape of education, Haim G. Ginott’s poignant text serves as a reminder of the teacher’s decisive influence. It underscores the teacher’s power to influence the climate of their classroom, emphasizing the responsibility to foster a positive and nurturing environment.  I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my…

Originally posted in our July 2023 Top of Mind Newsletter. The ELI team is not very interested in Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, or Richard Branson’s entrepreneurial journeys. This is both because their stories are not common or replicable but also because they, at times, diverge from the customer-driven approach to entrepreneurship that we advocate for. Enter the concept of Principled Entrepreneurship. Author Andreas Widmer’s book, The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship, promotes a different approach from the…