I love reading, learning and exploring new idea’s. It may be obvious by the background, and it is to those who know me. I am often quoting books or recommended reads to those I network with and mentor.

Picking up on a suggestion a couple of months ago, via WUN, I am sharing some of my most favourite reads, and why I think they are great and useful or helpful. It was difficult to curate a short list, so it a long one… this is 1 of 52! A book a week for the year ahead ☺️  Hayley Monks, WUN Co-Founder & Director.

Recommended reads to date:

• Multipliers
• Why women don’t ask
• The female brain
• Educated
• The happiness advantage
• The Effortless Experience
• The Fish Philosophy
• How BIG things get done

Multipliers – Liz Wiseman’s excellent book has probably been my most recomended book for leaders.
The books characterises two stye of leaders; Multipliers and Diminishers.
A multiplier leaders makes those around them feel more capable and encourages and empowers them to explore potential. When you read the book and it describes the attributes of these leaders, you may find that managers and leaders you have worked for come to mind!
One of the leades who had the most influencial impact on me was Kanat Emiroglu. Kanat was a Multiplier and had a hugesly positive impact on me and my career. Multiplier see intelligence as continually developing – a growth mindset.
On the other hand, there are diminishers. Leaders with diminishing tendancies are controlling, the make you question your capability and decision making and can drive a competent and capable person into self doubt, eroding confidence and perceived incompetency… I have worked for one of those too…

I strive to be a Multiplier. To find people’s native talent, water them so they can grow and get out of the way! Wiseman give great insight into how to lead and how to continually check ourselves when our diminishing tendencies creep in – after all none of us are perfect 😜
Reviewing this has been a great reminder of the leader I continually strive to be. Brilliant brilliant read for leaders everywhere

For all you wanna be Multiplier’s!

Why women don’t ask..… the high cost of avoiding negotiation and positive strategies for change…

This book was recommended by Paul Fisher when I re-visited Saïd Business School, University of Oxford as an Alumni Facilitator on their Women Transforming Leadership Programme in 2021. Paul led an afternoon session on Negotiation.

The book talks through why we may not ask, aka ‘nice girls don’t ask’, the fear of asking and ‘scaring the boys’, but the most important thing is the impact of not asking!

Opportunity does not always knock! You cannot assume your hard work will be recognised AND we (all of us) are not mind readers, as so I won’t know what you want, need , aspire to, unless you tell me.

Asking is one of the things I encouraged my children to do “you can always ask, the answer may not always be yes, but don’t let that stop you asking”. They are both happy and achieving adults (I’m probably biased there 😊) but I haven’t always took my own advice, consistently, so books like this are a great reminder

Paul also joined a WUN4ALL and spoke to the #WUN network in October 2022 and the recording of that can be found below for those who prefer audio / visual to reading…

WUN For All -Negotiation – Womens Utilities Network

Happy Reading 📚

I love books 📚 (3 of 52)

The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine MD

As a 50 something menopausal women looking for insights about the new journey I was on, I bought and read this book as recommended by my then colleague and lovely human that is Victoria Butcher. Working together at the time and bonding over many mutual topics, I knew it would be a good read and was not disappointed.

Based on decades of research and with some super interesting case studies it is a book I recommend not only to women everywhere but also to men too.

I did in fact out a post-it note in the book – page 179 The Mature Female Brain – the section focused on menopause, for my family to read. A sort of here is what is happening to me and here is why I am like I am……. 🤪 😰

Education is the key when it comes to dealing with the menopause…

When you think about it the menopause is a fairly new ‘thing’, and especially for women in the workplace and for businesses too. In 1920, the global average life expectancy for women was around 48 years.

The average age a women goes through menopause (12 months of being period free) is 51 1/2. So less than 100 years of experience of menopause and even less on how it impact women in the workplace

From the 20’s to the 70’s women continue to live longer but many often didn’t remain in the work place after having children.

But now, now, we live longer, return to work after children and stay in the workplace into our 60’s and often beyond!

We are forging new paths; working through these changes and with unprecedented numbers of women in the workplace for longer, menopause is now something that businesses need to understand and work into the operating practices and support culture of their business.

I love books 📚 (4 of 52)

When you are working hard and life is full, it takes a special kind of read to draw you in. A truly unputdownable read…

Tara Westover’s Educated

I was given this book by Billy Glennon after a Vision Consulting event. Billy has a good eye for books and knowing what people may see as interesting & valuable (another book gift from Billy appears in my 52 list)

This book is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring. I found myself curious, angry, incredulous and frustrated but also filled with wonder and admiration.

Educated is Tara’s journey from an very isolated upbringing to earning a PhD from Cambridge University and it is nothing short of extraordinary.

Don’t doubt yourself

I’m not going to say anymore as it would ruin the read…

I love books 📚 (5 of 52)

 

The happiness advantage – Happiness is a choice, so the book says.

Such a relevant book and concept, that is probably even more important to read these days as we can be surround by such negative media messaging.

Author Shawn Achor’s invitation is that we can choose happiness. Choose to be happy in how we do what we do and how we live our lives, in a more conscious way.

How many times have you heard or maybe thought yourself that ‘I will be happy when… get that job, that car, that handbag etc….

I loved the book and the principles as they resonate with one of my favourite quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” 💛

Shawn share 7 principles in his book – my favourite.. Principle #4 Falling up – capitalising on the downs to build upward momentum.

In this chapter he also references Jim Collins (author of Good to Great) “we are freed by our choices. By scanning our mental map for positive opportunities, and by rejecting the belief that every down in life leads us only further downwards, we give ourselves the greatest power possible: the ability to move up, not despite the setback but because of them!

Happy Friday! go out, go smile – it’s infectious and if nothing else you will make other’s curious about what you have been up to 😉

I love books 📚 (6 of 52)

This one is for all CX, CE, CSD & CCO and well, just about anyone who cares about customerserviceexperience.

The Effortless Experience – a recommened read for me back in 2012, from former CEO, Consultant, Business Coach , Friend and all round great guy Mark Palmer. I was leading the customer operation at British Gas Business at the time. It was a new role, new MD, new team, new challenges and a time when the regulator thought we needed to delight utility customers – when what customers really wanted was a simple, easy and painless service.

The book recommendation was spot on at the time and I have shared it many times since. With lots of data and insights the book urges customer service and experience leaders to “Forget bells and whistles and just solve your customer’s problems”.. common sense really…

There are some good case studies and stories on ‘making it easy’ for your people and for your customer; how to get simple data, to focus on small change and to challenge assumptions (or not make any in the first place about what the customer actually wants…)

As with all books – some really nuggets and if you go for the audio version its less than 6 hours..

Martyn Cladingbowl – for our ongoing conversations 😊