Favorite Resources
My list of books and resources from smart, interesting, and creative people is long! Here are just a few of my favorites.
I'd love to hear what you're learning! Tell me: What valuable lessons have you learned? What people, books, and media spark your imagination, encourage your creative mind, and fill your heart? Send me an email to let me know!
Books:
Getting to Yes - Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher, William Ury
Based on the Harvard Negotiation Project (now called the Program on Negotiation), these two books are great for anyone who negotiates as part of their job. A big lesson for me-we are all negotiators no matter your career path! These books help people learn how to be a more effective and graceful negotiator. Harvard Law School also offers executive training in negotiation: http://www.pon.harvard.edu/executive-education/
First, Break All the Rules - What the World’s Greatest Leaders Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D.
I love these books! Written from years of research and millions of interviews, First, Break All the Rules takes typical 'common sense' management ideas and flips them upside down. The companion, Now, Discover Your Strengths changed my perception of my own strengths as well as the strengths of people I work with. I've applied the ideas from both of these books to team building courses helping teams understand how they can leverage their personal and collective strengths to achieve their goals. Each copy of Now, Discover Your Strengths comes with an online registration for a personal strengths assessment.
The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education - 2nd Edition by W. Edwards Deming
Deming is one of my personal heroes. I had the privilege of attending one of his live trainings when he was 92 yrs old. He still held the room with his energy and conviction and I will never forget what I learned. Some examples in this book may seem dated but the principles and theories are as relevant, important, and useful today as they ever were. I'm a more effective performance improvement professional and better leader (and better person!) because of Deming's teaching. To learn more visit www.deming.org.
Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All by Tom Kelley, David Kelley
Everyone is creative. If you don't think you have it, think again! Anyone can rekindle their creative spirit and apply Design Thinking and human centered design to any project or industry. Tom and David Kelly (and their team!) are inspiring thinkers, writers, teachers and business leaders. Their company, IDEO has worked on some of the coolest products for some of the biggest companies in the world.
To learn more, visit http://www.creativeconfidence.com/tools, www.ideo.com
Media:
15 Podcast Episodes That Will Make You a Better Leader (click title for more...)
Some of these podcasts are very compelling! Get lost in learning while you wash dishes, drive to work, or mow the lawn. Bonus, this list includes added podcast titles in similar topics- two or three for the price of one!
25 TED Talks That Will Make You a Better Leader (article from http://www.twitter.com/johnrampton at Inc.com. Click title for more...)
I am a big fan of TED talks and TED.com in general and there are some great talks on this list. So many amazing brains thinking and speaking about almost every topic you can imagine. Most talks are less than 18 minutes long - perfect for a quick break with a cup of coffee. The only challenge is trying to find time for them all! NPR also has a great podcast called The TED Radio Hour if listening is more your thing.
Want to start a book club to learn more together? Or how about a Podcast or Ted Talk listening club? I'm IN!
Reach out with an email or give me a call, and we'll make that happen!