The Book You Don’t Read Won’t Help You!

I was recently encouraged to read Religion for Atheists by Alain de Botton, and I’m glad I did. (To be honest, it took me a few weeks to even open it.)

As someone deeply invested in organisational culture and values-driven leadership, I didn’t expect a book about religion (written for non-believers!) to resonate so strongly. But it did.

De Botton doesn’t ask us to believe, he asks us to notice. To notice how religious traditions have long cultivated community, moral clarity, and rituals that help people feel seen, supported, and purposeful.

Three ideas stuck with me:
• Community doesn’t require belief. It requires intention, ritual, and spaces where people feel they belong.
• Moral guidance can be secular. We can promote compassion, humility, and courage without invoking divinity.
• Rituals matter. They help us mark transitions, process emotions, and stay connected to what matters.

This book reminded me that wisdom can come from unexpected places, and that being a better human being (and leader) often means looking beyond our usual sources.

So here’s my nudge: What book has been sat unopened on your bookshelf or next to your bed, that might actually help you grow?

The future of FM is not just about maintaining buildings, it's also about driving value, sustainability, and innovation across the business.

Are we ready to make that shift?