Invention and Innovation by Vaclav Smil offers a thought-provoking exploration of the history of human invention, debunking the hype that often surrounds new technologies. Smil distinguishes between invention and innovation, emphasizing that many promising breakthroughs fail to materialize as expected or even lead to negative consequences. Through examples such as nuclear fission, supersonic flight, and DDT, he illustrates how some technologies never reach their anticipated potential, while others result in unforeseen harm. Ultimately, Smil presents a “wish list” of inventions that humanity urgently needs to address the pressing challenges of the 21st century, urging a more realistic approach to innovation.

The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey explores the critical role trust plays in both personal and professional success. Covey argues that trust is an often-overlooked yet powerful asset that can dramatically improve performance, efficiency, and relationships. He explains how trust impacts every interaction, from personal connections to large-scale business operations, and offers practical guidance on how to build, sustain, and restore trust. By fostering trust, individuals and organizations can streamline processes, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance collaboration, ultimately leading to greater success.

Innovation and Its Enemies by Calestous Juma explores the historical tension between technological innovation and societal resistance to change. Drawing on nearly 600 years of technological advancements, Juma examines how new technologies often provoke public controversy due to fears that their benefits will be limited to a select few while risks are more widely shared. He argues that much of this resistance stems from distrust in public and private institutions, as well as the societal desire for stability. Ultimately, Juma calls for policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to collaborate in managing technological change and fostering public engagement to ensure smoother adoption of innovations.

The Idea Factory by Jon Gertner explores the history of Bell Labs, the research arm of AT&T that played a pivotal role in shaping modern technology from the 1920s to the 1980s. The book highlights groundbreaking innovations such as the transistor, laser, digital communications, and cellular technology, all of which emerged from the lab’s culture of scientific curiosity and collaboration. Through the stories of key figures like Mervin Kelly, Bill Shockley, and Claude Shannon, Gertner examines how Bell Labs fostered creativity and pioneered approaches to managing innovation. As companies today strive to drive technological progress, The Idea Factory provides valuable insights into the conditions that enable world-changing discoveries.

Sprint by Jake Knapp introduces the Design Sprint, a five-day process developed at Google to rapidly solve big business problems, test new ideas, and validate solutions before committing significant resources. The method helps teams move quickly from identifying a problem to creating and testing a prototype, allowing them to see customer reactions early in the process. Designed for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large corporations, the book provides a practical, structured approach to innovation that reduces uncertainty and maximizes efficiency. By replacing lengthy meetings and slow decision-making with focused collaboration, Sprint offers a faster, more effective way to tackle challenges and drive meaningful progress.

To innovate profitably, you need more than just creativity. Do you have what it takes? If you read nothing else on inspiring and executing innovation, read these 10 articles curated by Harvard Business Review. They've combed through hundreds of articles in the Harvard Business Review archive and selected the most important ones to help you innovate effectively.