From Insights to Action: The Books That Shaped My Last Two Years

The last two years have been somewhat of a journey for me, both personally and professionally. In my search for guidance and insight, I turned to books—some in audio format, which made my time as an Uber driver for my daughter even more valuable for both of us.

I’ve categorized the books I've read, and full disclosure: some were re-reads, and there are three I didn’t finish. Each book offered unique insights, but I'll focus on five that particularly resonated with me.

Leadership and Organizational Development

1. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
2. The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
3. The Private Equity Playbook by Adam Coffey
4. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
5. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
6. Ego Free Leadership by Brandon Black and Shayne Hughes
7. Lead Yourself First by Raymond Kethledge and Michael Erwin
8. The HR Practitioner’s Guide to Mergers & Acquisitions by Klint Kendrick
9. 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp
10. Now What? A Survivor’s Guide for Thriving Through Mergers and Acquisitions by Jennifer J. Fondrevay

Personal Growth and Mindfulness

1. Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson (Didn’t finish it; it became too technical for my taste, but still a good book)
2. Say Goodnight to Insomnia by Gregg D. Jacobs (I didn’t finish; this also became a bit too technical for me to enjoy)
3. A Beginner’s Guide to Spanish (Also didn't finish- I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to learn Spanish)
4. Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
5. Loving Bravely by Alexandra H. Solomon
6. Fat for Fuel by Dr. Joseph Mercola
7. See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur
8. 10% Happier by Dan Harris
9. Mindset by Carol S. Dweck???

Interpersonal Skills and Relationship Management

1. Insight by Tasha Eurich
2. UnSelfie by Michele Borba
3. 8 Rules of Love by Jay Shetty
4. The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
5. Dial Down the Drama by Colleen O'Grady
6. Profit from the Core by Chris Zook and James Allen
7. Successful Women Speak Differently by Valorie Burton
8. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman
9. Eight Dates by John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman

Productivity and Efficiency

1.????? Extreme Productivity by Robert C. Pozen

2.????? Getting Things Done by David Allen

While each book on the list contributed to my growth, the following five books resonated with me on a deeper level:

1. See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur

This book felt more than just a book; it felt like a call to action. It redefines the concept of love, not just as a personal emotion but as a powerful force for change. Kaur's advocacy for empathy, understanding, and compassion resonated with me deeply, offering a fresh perspective on building stronger communities and relationships in our personal and professional lives. The idea of seeing no stranger, but rather parts of ourselves in everyone we meet, felt like a big hug and a reminder to be more open with everyone.

2. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Ben Horowitz's candid and (very) straightforward approach to the complexities of business management was both refreshing and enlightening. This book confronts the tough aspects of leadership and entrepreneurship head-on, offering practical wisdom drawn from real experiences. The lessons on navigating startup challenges and building sustainable company cultures have been particularly valuable to me.

3. Ego Free Leadership by Brandon Black and Shayne Hughes

The book's exploration of how ego can undermine a company's success felt familiar to me. It offers practical strategies, not just theories, to foster a more collaborative, ego-free workplace culture. It grounded me in my belief in the power of humility and teamwork in creating effective and healthy organizational environments.

4. 10% Happier by Dan Harris

Dan Harris, a journalist who had a panic attack on national TV, shares his journey from skepticism to belief in mindfulness and meditation. His honest account made the concept of mindfulness much more relatable. Harris’s transformation into a more focused, calm, and happier individual was not just inspiring but also a compelling argument for incorporating mindfulness practices into our daily routine, something I’m still working on.

5. The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

Patrick Lencioni's The Advantage offers a compelling argument for why organizational health trumps everything else in business. The book's emphasis on the critical role of cohesive leadership and a strong organizational culture in achieving business success is a powerful reminder of what truly drives long-term success. It emphasizes the belief that when a leadership team is fully aligned and working effectively together, the entire organization stands to benefit, a principle that has profoundly influenced my approach to consulting; I’ve even given this book to a couple of my clients.

?Currently on My Reading/Listening List:

• In Her Own Words by Jennifer McCollum
• First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
• Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used by Peter Block

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I'm curious to hear from you - have you read any of the books on my list? What was your take on them?

P.S. I'm always looking for new recommendations. If you have a book that has significantly impacted you, please share it and tell me why it stood out.