Book A Week -Recommended Reads – Week 16 onwards
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… 52! A book a week for the year ahead ☺️ Hayley Monks, WUN Co-Founder & Director.
Recommended reads 1-15 can be found here
Reads 16 onwards below include:
- The New One Minute Manager
- Why We Sleep
- Atomic Habits
- Who Moved my cheese
- 5am Club
- It’s the Manager
- How Women Rise
I do genuinely love books. I love the tactile nature of handing a book, the non-screen time escapism of them, the ability of a good book to transport you in your own mind to your own image and thoughts and I love the learning opportunity, the refresh and reflection.
In participating in the development of a management training programme (The 360 Degree Manager) a few years back I read many books (c70!) and learnt a lot, as one might expect, from the content but also from what make a good book.
📚 A big book doesn’t = big learning
📚 Statistics can be interpreted to support a theory, if required
📚 Stories resonate – you can relate to them
📚 Examples are good
📚 The first 1500 words / chapters 1 & 2 are key and often give you 80% of the benefit / learning..
So don’t dismiss a 100 page book that you can read in less than 90 mins! The One Minute Manager is a great little read. It’s good for those new to managing and a refresher for those who have been at it a while.
Not every organisation recognise the step change for a person when moving from being part of a team to managing a team and over the years I have seen a few failures where people, brilliant at a their job have been promoted to leading the team that hasn’t ended well – for the person or the business. This book is a great starter to anyone on that journey.
This book also has one of my favourite quote…”when helping people reach their full potential… Catch them doing something Right! ”
Whether you are an audio book or physical book person, this one is really worth a read. I know it has been said to me (but by whom I cannot recall) and it’s something I repeat too… “as long as you can sleep you can do anything”
I have generally been a good sleeper, but when this was recommended to me a few years ago, I was curious to read it.
Matthew Walkers book – Why we sleep 😴 is a is a summary of scientific research on sleep.
How lack sleep in the short and long term impact your cognitive skills and health and how you can improve your own sleep.
He explores jet lag (very pertinent) caffeine and the impact, exercise, age, melatonin, routines and much more….
Like with all such books… take what you like and what works for you… happy sleeping 💤
I have had two ‘book’ sessions, discussing books with colleagues at South Staffordshire Plc
Firstly, The Network Book Shelf set up by Hannah Cook where we discussed Atomic Habits by James Clear. The core Idea of the book being, small, consistent changes compound into remarkable results over time.
Stating that “habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. Improving by just 1% each day leads to significant growth over time” No excuse to say you are too busy!! 😆
Great session and loved the ‘add the change you want to make to a habit or routine you already do’ from Craig Russell MBA, PhD. 👍
This was followed by a short session with some of the team from Echo during our ‘Unlocking Potential’ week. It was such a positive and engaging session – perfect for the peak ending on a Friday. We talked about numerous books… can’t mention them all here as they feature later in the series… 😉
I love books 📚 (19 of 52)
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude” – Maya Angelou
This weeks read is another quick simple, but effective one! Less than 1 hour read!
Who moved my cheese? 🧀 – by Dr Spenser Johnson
A super fun story / parable about change, where the cheese is the metaphor for what you want in life and the maze being where you go to look for it!
This simple parable encourages us all to anticipate change and adapt quickly – even enjoy change and thrive
I know so many people have read this book and would love to hear how it has inspired you….
I love books 📚(20 of 52)
Now I’m definitely more of a morning person. That’s one thing I have learnt about myself as I’ve matured – but 5am daily? Really ?
Robin Sharma’s 5am Club propose a morning routine that not only upgrades your productivity but also increases happiness & wellbeing
One of the theories (improving a little but at a time) is akin to Atomic Habits.
Sharma says Take excellent care of the start of your day – own your morning.
Start with 3 X 20 mins blocks
5.00am ~ physical activity 🏃♀️
5.20am ~ reflection / meditation 🧘
5.40am ~ personal growth, planning 📖
By 6am you’ll be positively set up for a great day and haven’t even checked your phone!
I love books 📚 (21 of 52)
Managers are the single most important factor in an organisation’s success!
The end of the calendar year is a great time for reflection on what one has achieved and also an opportunity for planning on what is needed for the year ahead too. And this week’s book reflects some of that thinking.
It’s the Manger! – maybe a little pantomime for this time of year?
Jim Clifton & Jim Harpers book, It’s the Manager, is based on a global study about the future of work and how managers need to coach and inspire the new generation of workers to help them find purpose but also leverage their strengths
Data based evidence in the book takes us through culture and how to attract, develop and retain talent. Something all leaders want to achieve.
If I can remember who I lent my copy to. 🤔 … I might read this one again.
I love books 📚 (22 of 52)
How Women Rise
By Sally Helgessen & Marshal Goldsmith
The headline on the cover reads the 12 habits holding women back!! Which immediately made me laugh and think, its not just our habits that can hold us back!!
And that’s the sprit in which to read the book.
There are some good observations, stories and data points for reflection on things women may do that might contribute to holding themselves back.. equally there are some key societal or environmental reasons that hold women back, but that’s not the focus of the book. It’s about making sure you don’t marginalise yourself.
My favourite bit is in one of the final chapters.
Don’t do it alone! Find your tribe, your team, friends or network.
That’s one of the reasons WUN – Womens Utilities Network exists.
A network for women, where they can join, stay and thrive.
So more women can rise.