Many readers often skip the foreword in nonfiction books, eager to dive straight into the main content. The author once shared this habit—until he began writing books himself. That shift in perspective helped him understand the thoughtful intent behind who authors choose to write the foreword and what message it should deliver.

The Role of a Foreword
Forewords serve various purposes: establishing context, building credibility, sharing unique insights, or setting the tone for the book. The author, who penned The Power of Peers in 2016, deliberately chose Forbes publisher Rich Karlgaard to stress the importance of CEO Forums. For What Anyone Can Do, he turned to Dan Hoffman, whose innovation in conversations through CircleSpace aligned with the book’s forward-thinking message. In Peernovation, he bridged peer leadership and team performance, selecting C-Suite Network’s Jeffrey Hayzlett to connect with CEOs and HR leaders.

Peernovation’s Second Edition: A New Lens
In Fall 2024, work began on the second edition of Peernovation: Forged by CEO Forums. Perfected for Teams. With five new chapters and updated content, the author sought a foreword rooted in a single crucial element—psychological safety. After working with over 800 groups, he recognized its importance and decided to approach Amy C. Edmondson, the Harvard Business School professor who coined the term in 1999 and authored The Fearless Organization.

The Ask and the Answer
The opportunity to connect with Edmondson came during a panel at the 2024 Academy of Management Annual Meeting, organized by scholar Roman Terekhin. Following the event, a few email exchanges led to the request for the foreword—an ask inspired by the belief that “it doesn’t hurt to ask.”

Alongside Edmondson’s powerful foreword, the second edition features an afterword by CEOWORLD Magazine’s Prof. Dr. Amarendra Bhushan Dhiraj. Together, they frame Peernovation with the depth and authority that readers may not expect—but certainly shouldn’t overlook.

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Source: Ceoworld.Biz