As a leadership and executive coach, I am surprised by the books that have impacted me the most this year. Today’s blog shares the three that stand out.
As a voracious reader who struggles to choose her top book picks each year, I was surprised at how quickly three rose to the surface this time around. And as a leadership and executive coach, I was surprised that only one of my favorites would be found even remotely near the business or leadership sections of the bookstore.
Still, these books have dramatically impacted all aspects of my work, leadership, and life, and I am thinking and behaving differently because of them.
My picks this year include On Living by Kerry Egan, When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, and Deep Work by Cal Newport. I’ve written about them before (on Instagram, and here, and here), so here I will simply share 3 important takeaways:
1. Take deliberate action. Life is too short and time is too precious to spend on autopilot or drowning in ‘shoulds.’
2. Lead with compassion. Everyone – EVERYONE – is dealing with challenges we know nothing about. This includes the difficult coworker, the quiet child, the customer that seems to love complaining. Let compassion influence your interactions and decisions.
3. Meaning and purpose make all the difference. Make your work matter by doing it with kindness, respect, and love. Live with purpose and model healthy courage for others. Clarify your values and live, work, and lead in alignment with them.
What particularly draws me to these three books is their depth. They go below the surface to help the reader discern what matters most, then to have the clarity and courage to design work, leadership, and life around that. We can engage in this meaningful approach every day, and it doesn’t have to be difficult: asking a few questions to show we care, actively listening, helping people celebrate their wins and navigate their challenges. Blocking time for that which matters most, and giving those people and projects our full attention. Even simple eye contact and a smile allow someone to feel seen and valued.
“Things are never only as they appear,” writes Egan, a hospice chaplain, in On Living. “There are always layers to people’s lives, unseen memories under every face, every decision, every movement or lack of movement. There is always gray between then black and white.” If we all remember and embrace this as we carry out our work and lives, we will make a profound and positive difference, with ripple effects that extend farther than we can imagine.
I would not have even picked up two of these books had it not been for the recommendations of others. I am grateful for the community of readers, leaders, and literacy advocates who contribute to the book-world dialogue! Feel free to share your top picks on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
Here’s to your meaningful work and purposeful life as we wrap up 2016 and embark on a fresh, new year!
To view my favorite books read in 2015 click here, and for 2014 click here.