Contributors to the December 2020 issue of TD magazine offer their book recommendations.

David Paredes

Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity by David Whyte

One of my professors recommended this book to me. It blew my mind and fed my soul. In it, the author, who is part poet part consultant, challenges us to embrace the idea that our professional pursuits should, and do, affect our identity.

Sophie Oberstein

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

Even though this book is about the design of objects and technologies, what it tells us about how humans interact with the world and how design can produce brilliant, pleasurable products is invaluable to our design of learning experiences. A completely fascinating read!

Lisa Lang

The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius by Gail Saltz

Saltz describes how learning differences due to unique brain wiring may be connected with strengths such as creativity and cognitive abilities. It's interesting to consider this connection between disorder and genius and how we may structure learning within corporations to leverage those strengths.

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor

This book describes the recovery process of a neuroanatomist following a stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain. I found this book fascinating because it highlights differences between the left and right sides of our brains. The author fully recovered after eight years, and she transformed as she embraced strengths from the right side of her brain.

Nichelle Grant

What If I Say the Wrong Thing? 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People by Verna A. Myers

This book provides practical everyday examples and solutions about how we can enhance the conversations we have with one another. There is an importance to listening and understanding to others. This book helps us to delve deeper in our knowledge about the people we interact with every day.

Tammy Bjelland

The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

There are four types of moments that make a lasting impact: moments of elevation, insight, pride, and connection. The descriptions and examples provided in this book will inspire talent development professionals to maximize the effect of the experiences and programs they design for employees.

The Power of Virtual Distance: A Guide to Productivity and Happiness in the Age of Remote Work by Karen Sobel Lojeski and Richard R. Reilly

If you interact with your work and your colleagues using technology-enabled tools, read this book to learn about virtual distance, a term the authors coined. Based on years of research, this book defines and explains what affects productivity and satisfaction in organizations that rely on virtual connections.