A baker's dozen of my favorite books.
Finding Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyl: An impressive large scale study that supports the need for clear goals and immediate, relevant feedback
Working Identity, Herminia Ibarra: Integration of our old and our new selves is transformational work and this reinvention practice grounds us, allows us to make new connections
Buddha’s Brain, Rick Hanson: Great look at activating and “installing” positive traits. Exercises are relevant and powerful.
Bouncing Back, Linda Graham: Flexibility is the key to resiliency; good exercises to rewire old coping strategies that don’t work so well anymore.
Leadership Passages, James Noel: Passages are predictable, intense and change your perspective; outlines various scenario processes – stretch assignments, new leadership, significant failure.
Beyond the Wall of Resistance, Rick Maurer: Clarifying intentions (not goals) is most powerful learning; includes great tools for getting started and keeping change alive
Crucial Conversations, Kerry Patterson: Great tools for creating mutual purpose, moving to action, persuading, and mastering stories.
Chained to the Desk, Bryan Robinson: Insightful work on identifying workaholism in yourself, normalizing, and moving away from being “drunk on work”
Conversational Intelligence, Judith Glaser: Words we use are rarely neutral, all have histories for listener, and cause us to bond/trust or break rapport.
Leadership and the Art of Struggle, Steven Snyder: Making sense of a chaotic world, Dowling’s Tension Map and reinventing yourself exercises invaluable to regaining balance.
Transitions, William Bridges: Great clarity in his definitions of endings, neutral, finishing and new beginnings; insightful outline of transition process.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni: Outlines a powerful model and actionable steps to overcome common hurdles and build a cohesive, effective team.
Broadcasting Happiness, Michelle Gielan: Includes keys for communicating with negative people, creating contagious optimism, reducing your stress, and becoming resilient.