By the APS Academy
From building your professional capabilities to summer reads, consider these recommendations for your reading and podcasts list.
The APS Academy invited Australian Public Service leaders to share their recommendations for reading and podcasts to help build your capability. Their diverse selections offer valuable insights spanning economics, technology, leadership, and the human condition.
Dr David Gruen, Chief Statistician at the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Head of the Data Profession, offers a reading list focused on understanding global systems and prediction.
His recommendations begin with Six Faces of Globalization from Harvard University Press, which examines competing narratives about globalisation—from establishment perspectives to populist critiques—helping readers understand why globalisation generates such polarised debate.
He also suggests Yuval Noah Harari's acclaimed Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, which traces human evolution from the Stone Age to the present, exploring how Homo sapiens came to dominate the planet through cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions.
For those interested in decision-making under uncertainty, Dr Gruen recommends Nate Silver's On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything, which explores the culture of calculated risk-taking in business, gambling, and finance, and Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction by Philip Tetlock and Dan Gardner, which reveals research-backed techniques for improving forecasting accuracy—essential skills for evidence-based policy making.
Chris Fechner, CEO of the Digital Transformation Agency and Head of the Digital Profession, provides an extensive list spanning books and podcasts.
His book recommendations include Moonshot by Albert Bourla, chronicling Pfizer's unprecedented nine-month race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine; The Economy of Algorithms by Marek Kowalkiewicz, examining how algorithms are reshaping business, markets, and society; and Lean Enterprise by Humble, Molesky, and O'Reilly, which applies lean startup principles to large organizations seeking to innovate.
He also recommends Stephen Covey's classic The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for personal effectiveness, Are We There Yet? by Martin Stewart-Weeks and Simon Cooper exploring digital transformation in Australian government, and Michael Watkins' The First 90 Days, an essential guide for leaders navigating critical career transitions.
Fechner's podcast selections reflect his digital focus: Practical AI Podcast for real-world AI applications and making artificial intelligence accessible; Machine Learning Guide for technical foundations of machine learning; and AI Australia Podcast for local perspectives on artificial intelligence. He also suggests Get Started Investing from Equity Mates for financial literacy, The History of Rome for historical context and lessons in governance, and Acquired, which examines the stories behind major companies, acquisitions, and business deals.
Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer at the Australian Public Service Commission, offers an eclectic selection emphasizing understanding people and society.
Her summer readnigs includes Miles Franklin UNDERCOVER by Kerrie Davies, exploring the mysterious and unconventional life of Australia's celebrated author; Hugh Mackay's The Way We Are, which examines contemporary Australian society and national character; and William Deresiewicz's A Jane Austen Education, reflecting on profound life lessons drawn from Austen's novels.
Dr Bacon also highlights ADHD 2.0 by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey, offering contemporary understanding of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and new strategies for managing it, and Haruki Murakami's A Wild Sheep Chase, a surrealist Japanese novel that blends detective fiction with philosophical inquiry.
These recommendations collectively demonstrate that building APS capability requires diverse knowledge—from data science and digital transformation to human psychology and cultural understanding. Whether you're interested in improving forecasting skills, understanding digital disruption, or gaining deeper insights into human behaviour, these senior leaders' suggestions provide rich opportunities for professional growth and reflection.