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

Britt Andreatta

Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide, Skills and Strategies for Conversations That Work by Tania Israel

Not only is this book incredibly timely for healing some of the political divisiveness that has occurred in recent years, but you can apply the practices and principles  to all kinds of difficult conversations. 

Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body by Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson

This book highlights all the scientific studies that show the incredible healing power of mindfulness, both physically and mentally.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

I read this book every one to two years because it keeps me focused on what really matters. It has been especially helpful during these rapidly changing times.

David Hosmer

Work Without Stress: Building a Resilient Mindset for Lasting Success by Derek Roger and Nick Petrie

This is not just another stress-management book. It gets at the heart of how we can change how we respond to stressful situations—putting us in control. It addresses self-imposed sources of stress and practical approaches to ameliorating them, such as rumination, stress by choice, and inhibiting emotion. 

Seeing the Big Picture: Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career, and Company by Kevin Cope

Aspiring managers and leaders must learn the language of business to earn credibility and their seat at the table. This easy, relevant, practical bestseller is perfect for nonfinancials. It clarifies succinctly five drivers of business acumen. The big picture links them together. It’s easy to get into the weeds when caught in day-to-day challenges. However, effective leaders must learn the habit of pulling back and looking strategically.

The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

There are enough books and other resources in the market touting philosophical leadership theories as the “right answer” to clarify leadership. This book is as relevant today as it was in its first edition. It gets at the behavioral practice of leadership. The book removes the mystery of “leadership” and serves us a how-to actionable guide to being a leader.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Clear starts with his personal experience of a traumatic incident. That was the impetus for learning and sharing his proven ways to build positive habits and break bad ones. He dissects the idea of habits and builds and rebuilds them through behavioral change. Anyone can relate to habits, procrastination, and motivation. And anyone can learn to unlearn habits and create new ones.

David G. Fivecoat

The Perfect Pass: American Genius and the Reinvention of Football by S.C. Gwynne

Here is an extraordinarily well-written book about the innovative work of Hal Mumme and Mike Leach as they changed football from run-dominated offenses to pass-dominated offenses.

The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle

This is a step-by-step guide on how to build a great culture in your organization using safety, vulnerability, and purpose.

Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest by Stephen Ambrose

This is an incredible book about soldiers as they were forged into a great team at Currahee Mountain and fought heroically in Normandy, Holland, and the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.