The 2025 Danaher reading list
July 30, 2025
When we heard that Dr. Elias Zerhouni—renowned physician-scientist, former Director of the NIH, and a valued member of our Board of Directors—was writing a book, we ordered hundreds of advance copies to share across Danaher. The book, called Disease Knows No Politics, is out this month, and its insights truly offer lessons for everyone, regardless of political perspective. Dr. Zerhouni brings decades of scientific and global health leadership to a powerful and timely reflection on the challenges facing healthcare. We’ve been inspired not only by the book itself, but by the thoughtful conversations it has sparked across our organization.
To build on that momentum, I invited close colleagues to share other books that are shaping their thinking. I’m excited to share the results: our annual reading list, this year featuring a selection of leader-recommended books focusing on how individuals and organizations can adapt, lead, and thrive in rapidly evolving environments.
— Rainer
Julie Sawyer Montgomery
Reality-Based Leadership: Ditch the Drama, Restore Sanity to the Workplace, and Turn Excuses into Results
I really appreciate Cy Wakeman’s Reality-Based Leadership: Ditch the Drama, Restore Sanity to the Workplace, and Turn Excuses into Results. I first read it many years ago, but find myself reflecting on it in this time of change, including geopolitical events outside of our control but with significant business impact. It’s all about how to help leaders quickly accept circumstances, adapt to change, and drive personal accountability for results. “Reality-based leadership” is both empowering and stress-reducing, as it helps leaders navigate challenges with clarity, resilience, and a focus on what truly matters.
Demaris Mills
Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity
I’m currently reading Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity, by our Scientific Advisory Board member Eric Topol. It’s a relevant book in this breakthrough moment for human healthcare, and it’s written in the frame of a “guide.” What I’m enjoying most is the synthesis of the available research outcomes to date, including many references to the use of genomic testing data as well as therapies and the incorporation of AI in accelerating insights and discoveries.
Greg Milosevich
Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0
This wouldn’t be a Danaher reading list if it didn’t mention Jim Collins! Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0, by Collins and Bill Lazier, is a must-read for any leader aiming to build not just a successful company but an enduring one. The book blends timeless leadership principles with fresh insights on navigating uncertainty, cultivating disciplined creativity, and scaling with purpose. Collins’ updates to the original make it even more relevant for today’s rapidly evolving markets. If you’re serious about leading with clarity and building something that lasts, this is a powerful guide.
Chris Riley
A Crack in Everything: How Black Holes Came in from the Cold and Took Cosmic Centre Stage
I recently finished A Crack in Everything: How Black Holes Came in from the Cold and Took Cosmic Centre Stage, by Marcus Chown. It’s a history of the discovery of black holes, and how the theory of their existence went from an almost fantastical hypothesis to the center stage of modern astrophysics. To me, black holes are a reminder of the amazing frontiers that remain to be explored in the natural world.
Naresh Narasimhan
Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI
Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI by Paul R. Daugherty and H. James Wilson is a pragmatic guide to navigating the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human capability. The authors offer a compelling framework – "the missing middle" – that illustrates how AI doesn't replace humans but augments their potential, enabling entirely new roles and workflows. For leaders in the life sciences sector, where precision, innovation, and regulatory rigor intersect, this book offers strategic insights on how to responsibly integrate AI into R&D, clinical trials, manufacturing, and patient engagement. It's a timely and thought-provoking read.
Martin Stumpe
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals
As someone immersed in innovation and efficiency, I found the message of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals both humbling and liberating. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the relentless pace of life and the pressure to optimize every minute of it, this is the reset you didn’t know you needed – a surprising and compelling case for embracing limitations. It’s not about doing more for the sake of doing more, it’s about choosing wisely. Highly recommended for anyone leading in high-stakes environments who wants to make the best possible use of their time, while remembering that we only have so much of it.
