From building a successful business and overcoming imposter syndrome to finding greater balance, confidence and clarity through meditation, these award-nominated reads tackle some of the biggest challenges facing women at work today.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, aspiring leader or simply looking to make working life that little bit easier, there’s plenty of inspiration to take away.
Can I Say That – Poornima Luthra (Publishing Rebel)
Shortlisted in Diversity, Inclusion and Equality category
Can I Say That? is essential reading to understand more about diversity, equity and inclusion, and learn how you can be a force for change. Dr. Poornima Luthra is a recognized author, keynote and Tedx speaker, business consultant, and senior faculty at Imperial Business School.
In Can I Say That? , she explains the common fears we all face about DEI and helps explain the common fears often faced about DEI and helps readings to feel empowered to talk with confidence and take action.
While most DEI books focus on gender, race or the intersection of those two dimensions, this book adopts a much broader intersectional lens while also providing concrete tools for allyship.
Another Door Opens: 5 Steps for Navigating Change in Life and Work – Eleanor Tweddell
Shortlisted in Work Life category
Change happens to us all, personally and professionally, sometimes when we least expect it, sometimes intentionally. Change can feel disorientating and daunting but what if, instead of seeing a closed door as an ending, we saw it as a beginning?
Eleanor Tweddell brings her expertise as a sought-after change consultant to help readers navigate the messiness of transition, be it redundancy, heartbreak, illness or any unexpected detour life throws your way.
Drawing from her five-step framework, she helps readers embrace the space between one chapter ending and another beginning to spark ideas, identify opportunities and start to move forward with clarity, purpose and energy.
The Now Woman: Design Your Life & Business – Harvi Kaur
Business Self Development Finalist
The Now Woman was written by personal performance and business coach Harvi Kaur with the aim to help women build their life and careers on their own terms.
Born to parents of South Asian heritage and the youngest of ten children, Harvi grew up between navigating cultural expectations and a desire to forge her own path. She became a single mother at a young age and experienced periods of homelessness, before rebuilding her life and starting a business on her own terms.
Harvi has 25 years of experience working with women across the public, private and voluntary sectors, including homelessness services, housing advice and community outreach.T he Now Woman builds on Harvi’s personal experience and to help women to escape the beliefs and expectations that influence how they live, work and define success. It guides readers to rebuild confidence, find work that aligns with their values, challenge limiting believes and take steps towards building a life that feels authentically their own.
The Imposter Phenomenon by Dr Kate Atkin
Wellness & Wellbeing Finalist 2026
This book is more than just an exploration of the imposter phenomenon – it is a guidebook for life changes – equipping readers to be courageous, internalise their successes and step into their own power.
The imposter phenomenon, often mistakenly referred to as a syndrome, is a psychological experience where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as frauds, despite evidence of their competence.
The book provides:
- An introduction to the imposter phenomenon, debunking common misconceptions.
- Insights into how this phenomenon manifests and impacts various aspects of life and work.
- Practical strategies to combat imposter thoughts, and cultivate genuine self-belief and courage.
- Expert analysis from psychologists and researchers, shedding light on the psychological mechanisms behind the phenomenon.
- Inspirational extracts from interviews with individuals who have experienced the imposter phenomenon, providing insight, perspective and encouragement.
Uncluttered: How to create space to think, work and live – Ingrid Pope
Shortlisted in Wellness & Wellbeing category
The pace of work and life has increased to such an extent that many of us struggle to keep on top of everything. Our task lists are never-ending, our space is a mess, and our buried emotional baggage can often weigh us down. Rushing from one thing to the next, there is little time to think, reflect, or consider what would truly fulfil us.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Uncluttered, written by expert declutterer and coach, Ingrid Pope, provides a simple methodology, combined with step-by-step examples, allowing readers to lighten the load and reclaim their agency over how they use their time and attention.
Whether you have too much physical, mental, or emotional clutter, this book is your go-to guide for letting go of what no longer serves you.
Decoding Efficiency and Innovation: How Systems, Minds, and Nations Shape our Future – A.J. Thoresen
Decoding Efficiency and Innovation: How Systems, Minds, and Nations Shape our FutureShortlisted in Smart Thinking category
Most organisations optimise relentlessly – for speed, cost, and output. And in doing so, quietly weaken their capacity to innovate. Decoding Efficiency and Innovation explores the tension at the centre of modern progress: efficiency and innovation are not opposites, but they are in constant, fragile conflict. Understanding that conflict is what separates those who merely keep up from those who shape what comes next.
Drawing on modern business leaders including Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, alongside historical innovators such as Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Ada Lovelace and Grace Hopper, the book looks at how innovative breakthroughs are driven by curiosity, constraint and discipline. It also explores how different nations approach innovation and examines the potential of AI and quantum computing.
With reflections at the end of each chapter, this is a must-read for readers looking for deeper insight into how innovation shapes our future.
Unlearning Masculinity: Redefining Success for High Achieving Men over 40 – Cassandra Andrews
Shortlisted in Wellness & Wellbeing category
Unlearning Masculinity is a practical guide for high-achieving men who’ve spent their lives chasing success – only to find themselves feeling stuck, disconnected or trapped. Blending psychology and neuroscience with real conversations, practical tools and hands on exercises, it challenges outdated beliefs about masculinity, success and relationships.
Written by Cassandra Andrews, a therapeutic coach with decades of experience working with FTSE 100 CEOs, entrepreneurs, elite athletes and founders of multi-million-pound businesses, Unlearning Masculinity provides a powerful opportunity for men to create the life they actually want.
Do Reset: Meditate. Move beyond thinking. Find clarity by Jillian Lavender (The Do Book Co)
Shortlisted in Wellness & Wellbeing category
A new book from one of the world’s most experienced Vedic Meditation teachers and the co-founder of London Meditation Centre and New York Meditation Centre, Jillian Lavender, helps professionals reset their system, manage stress and reach their potential.
As a young C-suite executive, Jillian travelled the world feeling the effects of non-stop travel, and high levels of stress. She was headed towards burnout when the power of meditation helped to turn her life around.
The nature of modern living guarantees stress and fatigue, and the crucial question is not how to manage or avoid it, but how quickly you can reset and recover. Do Reset is an ideal book for professionals looking to maintain their sense of self, provide clarity and move forward with confidence.
