Stay Warm and Learn: My Favourite Winter Leadership Books.

Winter, where I live, always seems to be a perfect time to curl up with my favourite books and deep-dive into learning.

It's a time to learn more about leadership, about myself, and what makes people 'tick'.

There's compelling evidence that people benefit from reading fiction and biographies, too. These stories can help humans increase their empathy by allowing them to identify with characters and situations—they are also excellent for learning.

I confess to being a self-development book addict, though. I recently posted on LinkedIn asking followers about their favourite leadership books.

I promised to share those gems with my subscriber list - and here they are.

The fabulous Susan Colantuono picked up on my intent early by posting her favourite leadership texts by women authors. Mission achieved!

If you'd like to see the recommended reading list, click here to download it.

In the meantime, here's what's on my bedside table right now - along with my all-time favourites.

I can't help but love this one, given the word 'worth' in the title! It's Quietly Confident: An Introvert's Guide to Knowing and Expressing Your Worth by Kate James.

I've always been intensely fascinated by grace in leadership, so I'm fully immersed in Julia Baird's beautiful book, Bright Shining: How Grace Changes Everything.

I literally couldn't put her earlier book down, so I'm excited to read Michelle Obama's The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times.

These two books will require me to steel myself in advance (according to my Mum, who has pre-read them for me). Hope, by Rosie Batty with Sue Smethurst (another great Gippslander) and Sister Viv, by Grantlee Kieza. Both stories are of indomitable women who possess self-leadership, which has motivated and encouraged others.

Because I'm in an interesting stage of life, a transition, you could say, I have relished The Golden Years: How to Plan a Happy and Financially Secure Retirement by Jamie Nemtsas and Drew Meredith. This is an accessible and reassuring book that helps people plan for an intentional life. They're definitely talking my language!

Next on my list will be Cal Newport's Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment without Burnout. He had me at 'slow'—absolutely in line with my theme for 2024 of Renewal.

Next, I'll read The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt. I am utterly intrigued (and disturbed) by the political, social, and religious divisions between people and the incredibly different perspectives, often not based on fact, that have emerged around the world. I'm not certain I will enjoy this book—let's see.

Enjoy your Winter reading. I hope this Letter to Leaders has inspired you for your next learning adventure.

Stay warm!

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