[bpmct]

Yep. From the perspective of someone earlier in their career without all the "lived experience": Business books have helped me feel closer with (and better emphasize with) senior execs. I'm not necessarily trying to cut corners, but it helps in situations where I am expected to be a peer to folks who have been working much longer than I have.

Business books are definitely not a perfect substitute for lived experience or having a mentor, but they have certainly helped me.