The Leadership Bookshelf #3 – Navigating Change and Uncertainty

This post is part of series focused on my favourite, and most recommended, leadership books.

I have always been an avid reader and a few years ago I made a commitment to regularly read leadership books as a way of continuing my own learning and development. While I have many books on my bookshelf, these are the ones that I most frequently reference in coaching sessions or workshops.

There are always great new leadership books coming out. I love to read and try to read at least one leadership book a month. If you have a recommendation for my reading list, please let me know.

The pace of change continues to accelerate and there is no pause button. We are also facing more uncertainty than ever before. This has a significant impact on our well-being and our teams.

These are some of my favourite books to recommend to people who are facing change and dealing with uncertainty.

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know

by Adam Grant

Most of us have grown up believing that learning and thinking were some of the most important skills we’d need for workplace success. However, with the accelerated pace of change and exponential growth in information, we need to embrace a more important set of skills:  rethinking and unlearning. This book helps us understand that great leaders are willing to rethink their ideas, admit when they are wrong, and seek out critical feedback. There are great ideas for helping yourself and others think again and for creating cultures that encourage rethinking. The ability to unlearn and rethink might just be the superpower you need to find success admist all the change in our world.

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski

This popular book written by sisters why and how women experience burnout differently than men. They offer a variety of strategies for managing stress and finding more balance including rest, exercise, and connection. If you are someone who likes to “be tough” and “white knuckle” you way through stressful situations than acknowledging you need help and asking for it, I strongly recommend this book. It explains why it’s critical that we find ways to process, rather than suppress, our stress and provide helpful tips for doing so. 

Check out these other Leadership Bookshelf posts for additional recommendations:

Leadership

Finding Focus and Managing Time