by Michael Holland –
Great people leaders are lifelong learners consuming blog posts, podcasts, articles, videos and books to gain perspective and increase knowledge.
Leverage that driving or flying time – or quarantining or get away from the in-laws time – this holiday with a good book.
Here are some favorites from books I read this year
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
We’ve been told to rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible to become successful in developing a skill, play an instrument, or lead our field. Start early, focus intensely. . . get those 10k hours in. But research on the world’s top performers from many areas, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule.
This book will help you realize that generalists often find their path late, and they juggle many interests rather than focusing on one. They’re also more creative, more agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can’t see.
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson
Want to understand how mRNA vaccines came about? Take some time and read about the amazing scientists who took a curiosity of nature and turned it into an invention known as CRISPR, a gene editing tool. You’ll learn a fair bit about bacteria and viruses along the way.
The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts by Shane Parrish
The quality of your outcomes depends on the mental models in your head. Upgrade your thinking with the best, most useful and powerful tools so you always have the right one on hand. This relatively short book communicates nine of the most versatile, all-purpose mental models you can use right away to improve your decision making, productivity, and how clearly you see the world.
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant
It seems some people favor the comfort of conviction over the discomfort of doubt. We listen to opinions that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard. We see disagreement as a threat to our egos, rather than an opportunity to learn. We surround ourselves with people who agree with our conclusions, when we should be gravitating toward those who challenge our thought process.
This book opened up my heart and brain to seek better outcomes while learning more about why I think the way I do.
Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most by Greg Mckeown
This book offers actionable advice for making the most essential activities the easiest ones, so you can achieve the results you want, without burning out. I know, that sounds so simplistic. But take a read and find out for yourself.
Be a lifelong learner and lead well!
Each year, I strive to read as many books as possible while also listening to Podcasts and reading articles that catch my eye. Here is a list of the books I’ve read in 2021 on my personal blog.
