Two Books, One Law
Both of my books are built on the same underlying theory — The Law of Drift. They simply meet it at different scales.
Now, Near, Next™, co-authored with Kimberly K. Rath is the individual application: a framework for developing your Potential and reconnecting your work to Purpose before drift quietly redirects both and negatively impacts prosperity.
Human Capital Investment Strategy® takes that same discipline to the organization — treating people as capital worth investing in, so that Potential and Purpose at the individual level compound into real Prosperity at the organizational level, instead of drifting out of alignment with strategy.
Human CAPITAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Six Steps to Cultivate Potential and Yield Competitive Advantage
For decades, CEOs have treated financial capital with rigor, discipline, and strategic foresight. But when it comes to human capital—the engine of innovation, execution, and growth—most organizations still rely on legacy mindsets and guesswork.
Human Capital Investment Strategy changes the game.
Written by executive strategist and human capital potentialist, Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, this book reframes talent as an appreciating asset—one that can be analyzed, optimized, and strategically deployed for maximum return.
With six research-backed steps, the framework helps leaders build a high-performing human capital portfolio aligned to their company’s strategic vision.
“Dr. Cynthia has done what few thought leaders achieve: she's created a bridge between visionary thinking and practical implementation. Her Human Capital Investment Strategy doesn't just challenge conventional wisdom; it demolishes it and rebuilds something far more powerful in its place.”
HEATHER E. MCGOWAN
Keynote Speaker, Forbes Top Futurist, Bestselling Author of The Adaptation Advantage and The Empathy Advantage
Now, Near
Next
A Practical Guide for Mid-Career Women to Move from Professional Serendipity to Intentional Advancement
For many women, mid-career feels a lot like a merry-go-round. You start off, eager to jump in. You pick the pink pony and hold on tight. Uninhibited, you move to the zebra during the first stop. Look, Mom, no hands! However, at some point over the next twenty-plus years, you look up, and you’re still on the same ride, with the same cast of characters, going in circles. You need a bigger playground!
Now, Near, Next debunks the myth that putting your head down and working hard is the best way to realize your fullest potential. Energizing self-agency means taking control of your path ahead. Instead of conforming to social norms or other people’s expectations, you look forward with intentionality, action, and reflection.
It is time to amplify your potential by making room for yourself, bringing forethought to your journey, and developing a road map to your Now, Near, Next.
Now, Near
Next
A Practical Guide for Mid-Career Women to Move from Professional Serendipity to Intentional Advancement
For many women, mid-career feels a lot like a merry-go-round. You start off, eager to jump in. You pick the pink pony and hold on tight. Uninhibited, you move to the zebra during the first stop. Look, Mom, no hands! However, at some point over the next twenty-plus years, you look up, and you’re still on the same ride, with the same cast of characters, going in circles. You need a bigger playground!
Now, Near, Next debunks the myth that putting your head down and working hard is the best way to realize your fullest potential. Energizing self-agency means taking control of your path ahead. Instead of conforming to social norms or other people’s expectations, you look forward with intentionality, action, and reflection.
It is time to amplify your potential by making room for yourself, bringing forethought to your journey, and developing a road map to your Now, Near, Next.
™
“Now, Near, Next comes at a time when taking control of our lives and maximizing self-agency is at the forefront of conversations surrounding careers and leadership. By distilling the complexities of what it means to put ourselves first—and tackling the internal and external barriers that hold us back—Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer and Kimberly Rath embody the future and want us all to come along with them.”
DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH
Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Now, Near, Next
Companion Guide
Your path to energized self-agency, intentional career investment, and actualized potential is ready to be written.
Our vision is to ignite a worldwide movement that inspires and empowers women to unleash their unlimited potential and achieve personal and professional dignity, fulfillment, joy, and purpose in their Now, Near, Next. We bring that vision to life one woman at a time. Today is your day! We are so excited that you have made the unapologetic, guilt-free decision to invest in yourself. And, if that statement feels overreaching, we encourage you to read or reread chapter one and then carve out you-time to journal your reflections and actions within this personal Companion Guide.
Intentional
AllyShip
A Practical Guide for Mid-Career Women to Move from Professional Serendipity to Intentional Advancement
Intentional ALLYship, a companion guide to Now, Near, Next, is not a stand-alone instruction manual. Regardless of gender, role, or professional stage, reading and referencing the book as you journey through this workbook will be essential to your successful progress. You may pick up a copy of Now, Near, Next: A Practical Guide for Mid-Career Women to Move from Professional Serendipity to Intentional Advancement on Amazon or wherever quality books are sold.
This companion guide is specifically and uniquely focused on one-on-one intentional allyship. We do not directly address public advocacy or organizational change. While these are important topics and critical to making systemic change, the purpose of this guide is to support the women who are intentionally working on their NEXT, and for whom you can intentionally ally.
Meet the Author
Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer is a human capital strategist, executive coach, and international speaker who helps leaders rethink how human capability drives enterprise value. Grounded in evidence and shaped by more than 30 years of senior leadership experience, her work challenges legacy approaches to talent and leadership.
Cynthia partners with CEOs, boards, and executive teams navigating growth, succession, and transformation, translating human capital strategy into the language of business: risk, return, and long-term performance.
