What Are We Reading – Spring 2024

 

Kim Gibbons – Questions About Me

As the title suggests, this is a book of 3,000 Questions.  My family meets weekly (usually Monday morning) for a coffee/tea “check-in” where we talk through the week on the horizon.  Part of our check-in includes selecting at least three questions to ask each other. It is a great way to start a conversation with my teenager, learn something new about my husband, or just connect on a different level. It would be a great tool for a leader to get to know their team members, co-workers, or even their family members.

Random Question – #2014 – Do you excel in what you do currently? Or on a lighter note, #2011 – Do you own inflatable furniture?? (Does a pool float count??? Come on summer!!! )

Tawnya Mitchell – The Abundance Decision by Malorie Nicole.

This book focuses on steps we can take to thrive in business AND live a deeply fulfilling life. It includes inner work on alignment vs. misalignment of values and vision.

For pleasure, I am about ¾ of the way through an excellent historical piece called – The Curious Life of Elizabeth Blackwell by Pamela Holmes. It tells the story of a rare woman in 18th-century England who pulled herself out of terrible conditions by daring to educate herself and learn a then-male-only skill.  This, and the relationships she was brave enough to pursue, allowed her to illustrate, write, and sell a book that became a textbook on herbal medicine for doctors for almost a century. Based on a true story.

Dennis McDonald – QBQ! The Question Behind the Question:  Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life by John Miller

This book explores how the lack of personal accountability has undermined goal achievement, marketplace competition, vision fulfillment, and even team development.  Then it focuses on how I can make a difference, contribute, and improve the situation.

Currently, for pleasure, I am reading Lessons in Chemistry.  This book is about a woman who, in the scientific world of the 1960s, lacks respect from an all-male team at a research institute. I am reading it after I watched the series on Apple TV!

 

Michael Curtis – Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

Possibly the most depressing and impactful book I have ever read (I know, way to sell it, Michael).   Dr. Gawande, a practicing surgeon, explores how advances in modern medicine have overcome many of the dangers we face as humans, and how it has negatively impacted the issue common to all mankind, aging and dying.  Through amazing stories about his patients and his family, he explores how our ultimate goal should not be a good death, but a good life, until its end.  It is particularly relevant to Patty and me during this chapter of our lives as we care for aging parents and desire that they age, and live, well.

Tom Pearce – Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

An insightful exploration about how far you go in life may not be about how hard you work, but how well you learn.  It is not about how smart you are, but how well you have developed your character.

For Pleasure, I am currently enjoying The Little Liar by Mitch Albom.

 

 

Kevin Johnson – The Leadership Challenge 7th Edition by Koozes and Posner

As a participant in Advanced Facilitator Training, I am reading the 7th Edition as part of the coursework.  With three kids involved in sports and drama, I do not have time for much else.