THE STARGAZER

Consultants Desiderio and Frino, the authors of The Beekeeper(2023), offer a starry-eyed tale that connects nature, business, and personal growth.

Inspired by “the energy from our star system,” visits to wolf sanctuaries and wilderness trails, and the work of astronomers, this book is an upbeat, self-described “leadership fable” focused on “unleashing the brilliance of building brighter teams.” In it, Jack, a small winery owner, meets Grayce, an astronomer and teacher. Jack has doubts about his business and struggles to define his personal concepts of purpose and growth. On a retreat at a state park, Grayce introduces him to the “star system”—the celestial bodies that the book uses as a metaphor for how to build a supportive network and embrace one’s curiosity and sense of connectedness. From chapter to chapter (each with partially italicized titles such as “Starburst” and “Lodestar”), Jack and Grayce stargaze and have meandering conversations about work, nature, and their pasts. Jack writes in his journal about how to “be brilliant” and his thoughts on plants and the natural world, interpolating facts he learns from signs posted in the park. He begins to reevaluate his challenges and apply lessons from astronomy and the environment to his leadership style. Thanks to his conversations with Grayce and a series of others, he begins to see setbacks as opportunities for growth, and parallels between the stars and his relationships. Desiderio and Frino’s bookworks well as a companion on a self-help journey, as it’s as cozy and reassuring as a glass of red wine while lounging by a firepit. However, some koanlike passages, such as “sometimes in the dark we need the light of the moon to illuminate the path forward,” may strike some readers as too far out to be effective advice. The book touches on common personal and professional challenges, and tries to share actionable advice about resilience, connectedness, and pursuing greatness. That said, its major insight—that focusing on human connection and fostering a “growth mindset” can transform one’s business—will already be well known to most readers.

A pleasant but familiar and sometimes-spacey take on common self-improvement themes.