Book Review: The Message by Ta- Nehisi Coates
I recently read The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates for our January 2025 book club pick. Honestly, it wasn’t the easiest read — some parts felt confusing, and the writing style, with its long, winding sentences, made it a bit dense. But our book club discussion helped break it down, making it easier to digest.
What stood out to me was how Coates traveled to different places to get a deeper understanding of reality. It reminded me of what real leadership should look like. Every leader, no matter their position, needs to step out of their office, talk to people at all levels, and walk the floor to see what’s actually happening. Too often, leaders rely only on their direct reports, which filters the truth. Yes, time management is important, but making time for real engagement is just as critical — otherwise, like in the media, different versions of the story emerge, and the truth gets lost in translation.
The book also felt incredibly timely, especially given the tensions between certain countries right now. It reads more like an academic book — Coates presents the facts but doesn’t draw conclusions, leaving that to the reader.
That approach made it thought-provoking, but also a bit frustrating at times. Overall, while it wasn’t the easiest book to get through, it sparked important discussions and made me reflect on the importance of seeing things for yourself rather than relying on secondhand narratives.
Gunjan Aggarwal’s journey has been a fascinating one. She began her career in consulting, working across industries from retail to banking, which provided her with a unique perspective on how different sectors approach digital transformation. However, it was healthcare, particularly pharma, that captured her interest due to the profound impact data utilization can have on patient lives. Leveraging her cross-industry experience, she has been instrumental in transforming how healthcare professionals are engaged, driving innovation through better data-driven strategies.
