"Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders announced a comprehensive program of economic reform, backed up by governance changes. The degree of boldness indicates that after 35 years of world-beating economic performance, China's development model is obsolete and urgently in need of replacement. To justify the risks, President Xi quoted an impassioned plea for policy modernization by his predecessor Deng Xiaoping: the only way to avoid a dead end - a blind alley - is to deepen reform at home and opening to the world. Despite this clarion call, observers have found several reasons to wonder what shape the reforms will take and whether the reform program will set China's economy on a new path to sustained growth and bolster its trade and investment relationships. Avoiding the Blind Alley: China's Economic Overhaul and Its Global Implications offers new insights on the changing profile and prospects of what will soon be the world's largest economy. The report clarifies the ambitions of China's economic reform program, assesses the progress China has made in implementing reforms, and forecasts the economic impacts the program will have on China and the world."--Extracted from Asia Society Policy Institute website.

Hubris is something we’ve all seen in action and experienced all too often. It’s a significant occupational hazard and a serious potential derailment factor for leaders, organisations, and civil society. Hubristic leaders - intoxicated as they are with power, praise, and success–behave in ways that, if left unchecked, invite unintended and unforeseen negative consequences which impact destructively on individuals, industries, economies, and nations. Despite numerous examples throughout history of hubris’ destructive consequences, it nonetheless appears to be an ever-present and growing danger. Many leaders seem to be blind to the hazards of hubris and oblivious to the lessons of history. Prevention is better than cure and understanding the nature of the hubris hazard and the associated risk factors will help leaders and managers improve their personal performance and avoid derailment and, even more importantly, protect the well-being of employees and the resilience of their organisations over the long term. This book explains the characteristics, causes, and consequences of hubris, and shows how to combat the significant hazard it poses to managers, leaders, organisations, and society. With contemporary examples, each chapter explores a particular ‘hubris risk factor’ and shows how the risk can be managed and mitigated and exposure to the hubris hazard minimised. The Hubris Hazard, and How to Avoid It offers practical guidance and action points for managers and leaders on how to recognise hubris in themselves and others and what to do to combat it when it arises. It will also be useful for business and executive coaches and leadership trainers and developers.

Bestselling author Erik Weihenmayer, who Jon Krakauer calls “an inspiration,” tells the epic story of his latest adventures, including solo kayaking The Colorado River.

Look for Robyn’s new book, The Best of Us, a story about family, second chances and choosing to live your best life—order your copy today! Welcome to Grace Valley, California— where blood runs thicker…ties are stronger…and love is all the more sweet. Visitors to the town often remark about the valley's peace and beauty—both of which are plentiful. Unlocked doors, front porches, pies cooling in the windows—this is country life at its finest. But visitors don't always see what lies at the heart of a community. Or just beyond… June Hudson grew up in Grace Valley, the daughter of the town doctor. Leaving only to get her medical training, she returned home and followed in her father's footsteps. Some might say she chose the easy, comfortable route…but June knows better. For June, her emergency room is wherever she's needed—or wherever a patient finds her. She is always on call, her work is her life and these people are her extended family. Which is a good thing, since this is a town where you should have picked your husband in the ninth grade. Grace Valley is not exactly the place to meet eligible men—until an undercover DEA agent suddenly starts appearing at all sorts of strange hours. Everybody has secrets down in the valley. Now June has one of her own.