Jenny’s 2019 Recommended Reading and Podcast List
On December 17th, I facilitated my last workshop of the year to a wonderful group of professionals at Mitacs Canada. I was asked to share a list of books that I had referenced in the workshop and also recommend to clients. Culling my list of recommended books was a challenging task as I read on leadership, professional development and marketing daily; however, there are some go-to books that I reference more than others.
Below is a list of my favourites that I hope will inspire you to block off a minimum of 20 minutes per day and simply read to improve, transform and thrive….
I believe that one of the biggest barriers for individuals in achieving their personal or professional goals are the habits they have created that get in their way. This book is one I reference for individuals who want to design habits that will work for them, rather than against them, in achieving their goals.
BUILDING A STORY BRAND – Donald Miller
This is a must-read for anyone in marketing and communications. The book outlines a seven-part framework that emphasizes the story of your customer – the story that we all need to be telling. It will help you evaluate how you talk about your business and project your key messaging.
DARE TO LEAD – Brené Brown
This book is a great read for anyone in leadership, ‘A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential’. The book provides a roadmap for leading mindfully and cultivating brave daring leaders. Actionable tools and techniques are provided throughout the book on leadership vulnerability, living our values, and learning to rise in our leadership roles.
HIGH PERFORMANCE HABITS – Brendon Burchard
This book highlights six habits that give individuals the edge in their professional and personal life. Practical examples are provided that can be easily implemented to help develop the six habits of high-performers around: clarity, generating energy, raising the necessity, increasing productivity, developing influence and demonstrating courage.
IT’S ALREADY INSIDE – Robert Murray
I had the opportunity to see Robert present on his leadership journey this year and was inspired by his story – excellent facilitation skills and nuggets of leadership wisdom shared. His book provides leadership techniques on connecting emotionally, finding balance and leading a fulfilling life both professionally and personally.
TED TALKS – Chris Anderson
For anyone who presents or should be presenting more in their position, this is an exceptional reference. Even if you do not intend on facilitating a TED Talk, this book is essential if you have a story to tell that should be shared to help you in your business, or an audience that you are struggling to engage with and need some tips.
THE CEO NEXT DOOR – Elena Botelho and Kim Powell
I love this book! It highlights what is needed to excel professionally, how to make smart decisions, work ethically and honestly, and directly excel with customers and employees. It is a great guide for any aspiring professional on how to play their A-Game. It is well-researched and helps individuals raise their leadership insight while offering practical and easily actionable tips and techniques for professional improvement.
THE FIRST 90 DAYS– Michael D. Watkins
A must-read for anyone starting in a new organization, taking on a new job or coming back after a maternity or medical leave. This book will take you through steps to assist you in transitioning with competence, accelerating your learning, working effectively together with your colleagues, securing early wins, achieving alignment, building your team, creating alliances and most importantly managing yourself in this critical transition.
THE ONE THING – Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
My favourite book by far and top choice for most of my clients! This simple, powerful concept enables you to focus on what matters the most in each domain of your life and helps you move forward with ease. This book will enable you to evaluate the clutter in your professional and personal life and develop a plan to achieve results in a shorter period of time. Tips and techniques provided will enable you to retain your momentum towards your goals, reduce feelings of overwhelm and stay on track to attain your defined goals and achieve extraordinary results.
THIS IS MARKETING – Seth Godin
Everyone has some form of marketing to do in their position, in this book Seth Godin pinpoints marketing wisdom nuggets. Highlights include how you can identify with your audience, built trust, adopt the right narrative, and how you can use stories to achieve your marketing goals. Yes – I must admit I love reading anything ‘marketing’ and Seth Godin is a true marketing guru!
THRIVE – Arianna Huffington
I know too many people who live to work, put in WAY too many hours and have let their personal lives suffer significantly – that being said, I am the first to admit I was also one of ‘those’ individuals for many years. This is a good read if you are pondering what success really looks like to you. Arianna shares her journey including the challenges, prioritizing demands of career and family and what led to her ‘aha’ moment.
WHAT GOT YOU HERE WON’T GET YOU THERE – Marshall Goldsmith
This book is relevant to all, no matter what position you hold. This book will help you identify what is standing in your way to reach the next level or a more comfortable space in your current position. You will discover some of your own habits that are getting in the way of your success, flaws and behaviours that you may not have recognized are problematic. The Global Leadership Inventory in the book is a great resource of 15 leadership areas and 72 traits – this is a great tool for leadership self-reflection or to rate leaders on a five-point scale for feedback.
YOUR BEST YEAR EVER – Michael Hyatt
In my goal planning workshop, I reference much of the content that Michael Hyatt articulates in his New York Times Best Seller. The book lays out a five-step plan for achieving your most important goals. His process enables you to review what has been holding you back, how you can overcome setbacks, how to quit-proof your goals and what to do when you are feeling stuck. I also like his book on NO FAIL MEETINGS.
Harvard Business Review – subscription. I would highly recommend subscribing to HBR for a copy to be delivered to your office. It is a great way to stay on top of interesting business practices and articles on the professional workplace. I also highly recommend HBR’s 10 Must Reads books. These are books that are easy to pick up at an airport when you are en route to a meeting or conference and can be consumed easily on a short flight. For example:
HBR 10 Must Reads on Leadership; Managing Yourself; Strategy; Teams; The Essentials; Change Management; Making Smart Decisions; Managing People; Collaboration; Communication; Entrepreneurship and Startups; Mental Toughness, Strategic Marketing…
I was also asked to share podcast recommendations. This was not as easy, as I tend to switch up who I listen to weekly when commuting to client meetings. My current rotating podcasts are Michael Hyatt’s Lead to Win, Amy Porterfield’s On-line Marketing Made Easy, The Tim Ferris Show, Donald’s Miller Building a Story Brand, Nicole Waters Dream Driver, Harvard Business Review’s HBR Idea Cast, Andrew Warner’s Mixergy and Tamara Ghandour’s Inside Launch Street.
If you have any leadership, professional development or marketing recommendations that I should add to my reading or podcast list in 2019, I would love to hear from you! Please connect with me by dropping me an email to jenny@jennyreilly.com.
Happy reading and Happy New Year! May 2019 bring you all that you ‘plan’ for – make it your best year ever!
