Contributors to the March 2020 issue of TD magazine offer their book recommendations.
Ryan Gottfredson
Principles By Ray Dalio
This book unveils the power of open-mindedness for organizations that makes you think, “Why aren't more organizations and leaders more open-minded?”
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box By The Arbinger Institute
When we experience problems or a lack of desired success, too often the problem isn’t our circumstances—it is us. This book helps you see that in a loving way with clear direction on how to get out of your own way.
Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace
This is the best business book I have ever read. It is all about how to create and sustain a culture of creativity and innovation. A key takeaway for me was the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment, one where people are not fearful of speaking up or taking risks.
Rick Rittmaster
Deep Dive: The Proven Method for Building Strategy, Focusing Your Resources, and Taking Smart Action 2nd Edition By Rick Horwath
Read this book if your goal is to be a more strategic thinker. This is one of the few texts that actually brings clarity to a complex topic. Horwath’s insights outline how to be an agile thinker, before “agility” was even a thing.
Agile People: A Radical Approach for HR & Managers (That Leads to Motivated Employees) by Pia-Maria Thoren
Agile is a powerful concept. Unfortunately, the term is overused and misused to the point of becoming empty or clichéd. This book grounds you in concrete ideas regarding what it means to be an agile leader and provides steps to put these practices into action.
Cy Wakeman
On the Way by Steven Mathew Adams
This book overturns the existing social conventions that define the experience and pursuit of happiness and gives the reader an exceptionally profound yet accessible and practical approach to cultivating sustainable happiness. I am insisting that all those I am coaching read this short, wonderful book.
Loonshots by Safi Bahcall
In Loonshots, physicist and entrepreneur Safi Bahcall reveals a new way of thinking about the mysteries of group behavior that challenges everything we thought we knew about nurturing radical breakthroughs. He uses the scientific concept of phase transitions to explain how innovation is thwarted in most companies. He offers insight into reasons that traditional change management and organizational development philosophies are ineffective in nurturing the best ideas from concept to delivery.
