Contributors to the July 2024 issue of TD magazine offer their book recommendations.

Bosko Kacarevic

Designing a Successful KM Strategy: A Guide for the Knowledge Management Professional

by Stephanie Barnes and Nick Milton

This is an excellent book that offers guidance on designing and implementing effective knowledge management strategies tailored to organizational needs. Talent development professionals can learn how to align KM initiatives with business objectives and drive value through knowledge sharing.

Learning to Fly: Practical Knowledge Management From Some of the World’s Leading Organizations

By Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell

For me, this book provides a great introduction to KM (knowledge management). There are practical insights and case studies from leading organizations on implementing knowledge management strategies. Talent Development professionals can learn from real-world examples and apply them to their own organizations.

Pooja Jaisingh

The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-Based Methods and Strategies for Training and Education

By Karl M. Kapp

Karl brilliantly shows how gamification can transform learning into an exciting adventure. This book is packed with lively, practical examples demonstrating how to bring game elements into training settings to make them more engaging and effective. His straightforward advice and real-world applications make it easy for training professionals to create dynamic, interactive courses. With a keen insight that feels like advice from a trusted colleague, Karl’s book is an inspiring guide for anyone eager to make learning more captivating and rewarding.

Tina Schust Robinson

The Leadership Pipeline: How to Build the Leadership Powered Company

by Ram Charan, Steve Drotter, and Jim Noel

This is one of my go-to books. It describes the different challenges leaders face as they progress from frontline manager to manager of managers up through enterprise executive roles. The authors remind readers how critical it is to create capacity for new learning and opportunities at every career pivot—by delegating and letting go of doing it all ourselves.

Jessica Rivera

The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)

by Hal Elrod

This transformational book provides the blueprint for starting your day with purpose and intention. If you want to live a "level 10" life, then you need to become a level 10 person and create it. It's not about doing more; it's about becoming more.

The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

By Priya Parker

This book challenges us to move beyond routine and convention when we bring people together. Parker takes a human-centered approach when creating meaningful, memorable experiences. Whether for board meetings or birthday parties, the way we plan and host gatherings has the power to inspire, connect, and truly engage everyone involved.