With the end of the year on the horizon, it’s a good time to reflect on 2024 and gather inspiration for the year ahead. We polled our leadership team to find out which books have inspired them along their professional and personal journeys. In this week’s blog, we’re sharing them with you in the hopes they might provide some food for thought as you kick-start the new year.
John Harrison
President and General Manager
This is a book I stumbled upon in the last few years and really enjoyed. As a big fan of improvisation, and how the need for it is ever-present in our lives, both personally and professionally, I found this book to be an easy read with impactful tips and tricks. Much of its value can be summarized in this image.
Shelley Blouin
Group Vice President, Technology
This book teaches you to know yourself. To be a good leader, you need to recognize you are not necessarily good at everything. In fact, there are a ton of things you shouldn’t even try to do! Since reading this book, I’ve learned to focus on what I can bring to the table so I am my most authentic self, as well as what I should look for in others to round out my team. It truly changed my management style and how I approach things in other aspects of life.
Bruce Foyt
Vice President, Partnerships
This book is a pager turner and once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The author is a master in the art of negotiations and takes a methodical perspective that is simple enough to follow and understand, but also tied to real life examples that can be applied at work and in your personal life. Whether you are negotiating a high-profile business deal, buying a car, or handling everyday conflicts at work or home, this book will provide advice and assistance that can be easily applied to any situation.
Andrea Herron
Vice President, HR
I co-wrote this book with my sister, and I’m recommending it not because it’s my own, but because I think it’s critical for us all to continue learning about mental health and how we can make it easier to talk about it in the workplace. While there has been a lot more discussion about mental health in the past few years, there is still a gap in knowledge when it comes to practical tools, tips, and examples for how to approach this topic in real life. Supporting employee mental health is foundational to a healthy and productive workplace, and this book provides tactical information and resources to have conversations more confidently and truly support the people working inside your organization.
Christine Muldoon
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Strategy
I first came across this book as I was getting up to speed on menopause in preparation for our WebMD webinars on the topic, and it’s been invaluable to me professionally as we continue to bolster our WebMD offerings to women experiencing menopause. But it’s also been an amazing resource for me, personally, as I enter the menopausal years. The book teaches us that menopause is inevitable, but suffering through it is not! It covers what to expect—from changes in appearance and sleep patterns to neurological, musculoskeletal, psychological, and sexual issues—and contains a complete toolkit of ways to cope with common symptoms. The information is presented in a relatable, user-friendly format and offers a way for us to thrive, not just survive, in midlife.
Melissa Voigt
Group Vice President, Customer Success
Atomic Habits is one of my favorite books. It provides a practical approach to building habits that last. The three key lessons I try to use in my own life are:
- Small habits make a big difference.
- Don’t focus on setting goals. Focus on setting up your systems.
- Build identity-based habits.
I have continually used this system to make positive changes by focusing on setting up systems that will lead to a successful outcome. I’ve found it has helped me evolve my approach through all the seasons of life.
Kara Williams
Vice President, Coaching and Operations
I have read many John Maxwell books over the years and have seen him speak in person a few times. He is always very motivating and informative. Leadershift has been valuable to me as a leader because it makes the point that our environments are ALWAYS changing—and just when you feel you are doing most things right and in a good place, something changes! As a leader, you must be willing and able to constantly make shifts or changes in yourself to keep up and be able to support your team. John Maxwell does a good job of breaking things down and making it make sense. Highly recommend!
Experience professional and personal transformation with these inspiring reads.
As we move forward into a new year full of challenges, struggles and successes, let these books be your guide as you navigate the uncharted waters of the modern workplace. You’ll find inspiration; you’ll gain insight; and you’ll come away with a better understanding of how to build a culture that makes your employees feel valued, respected and appreciated.
Happy reading!
