I can’t quite believe I’m writing this…

And honestly? I’m still processing it… BUT…

Return on Humanity has just made it as a finalist for the Business Book Awards in the Leadership category. Apparently this category was one of the three categories that were particularly competitive with loads of entries.

10 were chosen. And ROH was one of them. Can you believe it?!

This is SUCH a big deal. And there are SO many emotions.

Disbelief. Gratitude. But above all… relief.

Because this book is SO much more than pages and words.

It’s a declaration that there IS another way.

That the old way of doing business – the rigid hierarchies, the obsession with short-term wins, the disconnection from people and purpose – no longer works.

It may work as a short-term “win” strategy. But we ALL know. This outdated way of working is NOT sustainable. And we all see it. The burnout. The disengagement. The lack of connection. The lack of meaning. Then things going south, very quickly.

But ROH making it as a finalist is a sign.

This is a glimmer of hope.

A crack in the system.

That maybe… finally… we’re ready to listen.

Ready to redefine the route to success.

Ready to lead in a way that actually reflects the world we live in today – with all its complexity, humanity, and potential.

I wrote Return on Humanity because I’ve seen, over and over again, that empathy, vulnerability, creativity, emotional intelligence and curiosity aren’t “soft skills.” They’re the REAL drivers of resilience, innovation, engagement, and impact.

And these skills exist in every one of us. We just need the space, and the permission, to unleash them.

This shortlisting isn’t just about the book. It’s about a movement. A collective push for a different kind of leadership. A better way of doing business. One that values people as much as profits. One that fuels both success and sustainability.

To everyone who’s helped make this book possible, who has read the book, shared your thoughts, and helped spread this message – oh my goodness… thank you. YOU have made this possible too. And you’ve kept me going more than you know.

And to the judges at the Business Book Awards – thank you for seeing the urgency, the possibility, and the hope in this work.

Because the truth is: thriving people drive thriving businesses.

And we can’t afford to forget that.