What We’re Reading: Bold by Katarina Berg

In a world that is ever-changing, it can sometimes feel daunting to take risks – especially from an HR perspective. But it is not more than every that HR need to be bold, and this is why this month we have chosen to read Bold: A New Era of Strategic HR by Katarina Berg.

Katarina spent 12 years as Spotify’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and is gearing up to take on this role with the athletic shoe and performance sportswear company On. Prior to this, Katarina held HR roles in various multinational companies, such as Swedbank, 3 Scandinavia, and Kanal 5. She also holds a Masters of Art in Human Resources Management and Development in Behavioral Science from Lund University, and has brought all of this knowledge and experience together in her debut book.

Bold is a sharp, personal, and thought-provoking exploration of modern leadership in a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Katarina uses her deep experience to argue that today’s leaders must move beyond traditional models of control and stability, and instead, they should embrace curiosity, humility, empathy, and decisiveness – even when certainty is out of reach.

The book is part memoir, part leadership manifesto, and part practical guide. Katarina draws on her years of experience at Spotify and beyond to explore how boldness can coexist with vulnerability, how to foster cultures of psychological safety, and why courage and compassion are indispensable in driving innovation. Each chapter blends personal anecdotes with observations on organizational behaviour, leadership challenges, and workplace culture (particularly within fast-moving, global tech environments).

At its core, Bold is a call to action for leaders to lean into discomfort, make values-driven decisions, and to centre people over process. It challenges the myth of the heroic, all-knowing leader and instead elevates the power of diverse teams, authentic conversations, and continuous learning.

What’s great about the book is that Katarina doesn’t claim to offer a blueprint. Instead, she offers something much more useful: a mindset. Her emphasis on vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership feels both timely and timeless. In an era when burnout is high and trust in leadership is often low, Bold encourages a more sustainable and human approach to leading others.

And while the book may resonate most strongly with HR professionals, tech leaders, and those in fast-paced industries, its insights are universal. Anyone interested in building a more compassionate, creative, and courageous work culture will find something to take away.

If you would like to discuss how we can help ensure your HR department is implementing the right level of boldness into their work to produce the best results, please get in touch with us today!