Summer reading list for leaders
I can’t wait to get my new smoker going again. My wife has already seasoned the brisket and the chicken and honestly, it’s a bit tough to stay focused when I want to be out by the grill. Ah, the smell of mesquite! As our thoughts turn quickly to cookouts, sunscreen, lazy days at the beach, amusement parks, or just relaxing by the pool, it’s always nice to have something to read.
There’s nothing like having a good book at the beach or beside the pool. So I wanted to share a few books that I have read and enjoyed. There are a lot of great books out there so if you want to suggest a book for me to read, put it in the comments. If you don’t find anything on this list you can always checkout my previous reading list post here.
Power Cues
I thoroughly enjoyed Power Cues. I listened to this book, often while in the gym, and really enjoyed his approach to dealing with your voice and how that impacts your leadership. Power Cues also introduced me to the cat-sized brain we all have. Didn’t know that! As I’m writing this, I’m realizing that I want to read this one again.
You can pick it up here.
Your Brain At Work
I heard about Your Brain At Work a few years ago on a podcast, don’t remember which one. I’m always interested in picking up a few tips to keep myself focused during my work days. This is a good treatment of the topic of distraction and how to remain focused.
I really enjoyed the metaphor he establishes to illustrate our attention’s limited resources: a stage. He makes a convincing argument for being mindful of what you allow on stage and how to keep certain players from dominating the stage.
You can pick it up here.
Verbal judo
When I saw the title I was intrigued and this book did not disappoint. The author was a police officer and noticed how some of his fellow officers could deescalate situations while others could only escalate situations.
The title sounds violent he uses that to show us how to have non-violent conversations with coworkers, family members, and friends. This book offers a different perspective on handling tough conversations.
You can pick it up here.
ready player one
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I chose this book, but it was probably my favorite read all of last year. It goes without saying that the book was FAR SUPERIOR to the movie by the same name. But I will put my soap box away… for now.
If you grew up around technology in the 1980s you will love this book. It’s everything that was pure, terrible, and awesome about 1980s tech but set in the future. I don’t want to tell you more because I don’t want to ruin it.
Don’t worry, if you’ve seen the movie, it’s nothing like the book, seriously. They are almost two different stories and the movie lost so much of the tech that mad the book a great ready.
You can pick it up here.
I could go on and give you another 4 or 5 books to read, but this is a great start and summer is only so long after all. You do actually need to talk to people. 😄
If you’ve read or are going to read any of the books I’ve listed above, drop a comment and let me know what you thought. Also, if you have other books you think should be included in my next reading list, drop those in the comments as well. I’m always on the lookout for a good book.
Enjoy and make today count!
