Book-Reviews

In How to Know a Person, David Brooks invites us into one of the most essential relational practices: the art of seeing others deeply and being seen in return. He argues that amid social fragmentation, polarization, and loneliness, the skill of genuine interpersonal connection is exactly what’s missing in our personal, professional, and civic lives. His overarching claim, as noted by Kirkus Reviews, is this: “There is one skill that lies at the heart of any healthy person, family, school, community organization, or society: the ability to see someone else deeply and make them feel seen—to accurately know another person,...

  Every so often, a book arrives that causes me to pause—not because it dazzles with new jargon, but because it clarifies something we all feel yet rarely name. Tasha Eurich’s Insight is one of those books. Her research shines a spotlight on self-awareness: the foundation of leadership, growth, and impact. She reveals the surprising truth that while 95% of us believe we are self-aware, only 10–15% actually are. That gap explains so much of the exasperation we feel when working with leaders who cannot see their own blind spots. But Insight doesn’t leave us stuck in frustration—it shows us...

Ethan Kross, a neuroscientist at the University of Michigan and author of the bestselling Chatter, has spent years studying the inner voice that drives our emotions. In his new book, Shift: Managing Your Emotions—So They Don’t Manage You, he takes on an even bigger challenge: what to do with the powerful, often disruptive emotions that shape our thoughts, relationships, and decisions. Emotions as Data, Not Disruptions At the heart of Kross’s message is a reframe. Emotions aren’t problems to suppress, nor are they simply waves to ride out passively. They are signals—sources of information about what matters, what feels threatened,...

In today’s workplaces, technical skill alone isn’t enough. Leaders are called on to navigate ambiguity, high-pressure change, and the unpredictable human side of collaboration. In Emotional Agility, Harvard psychologist Susan David offers a research-based framework for one of the most critical—and overlooked—leadership capacities: the ability to work with emotions rather than be driven by them. David defines emotional agility as the ability to be with your thoughts, feelings, and stories in a way that is flexible, values-driven, and constructive. In other words, it’s the skill of working with your internal experience rather than being run by it. She identifies two...

A Reflective Book Review for Leaders and Coaches We live in a world that often rewards confidence more than curiosity, where being right can seem more valuable than being open. In Think Again, organizational psychologist Adam Grant invites us to consider a different path—one where wisdom comes not from holding tightly to our beliefs, but from the courage to question them. At its core, Think Again is about the power—and the necessity—of rethinking. Grant makes a compelling case that our ability to revisit, revise, and sometimes even relinquish our ideas is one of the most important skills we can cultivate...

Silencing the Inner Critic and Stepping Into Your Voice In a world that often encourages us to play it safe, stay small, and second-guess our brilliance, Playing Big by Tara Mohr is a powerful guide for anyone ready to do the deeper inner work of showing up fully and unapologetically. Mohr’s approach isn’t about hustle or hype it’s about returning to your inner knowing, quieting the voice of fear, and learning to trust your own wisdom. At the heart of the book is her framework for identifying and gently disarming the inner critic, a voice many of us have internalized...

Book Review: Immunity to Change Why this classic on personal and organizational transformation still matters—especially when we’re trying to sustain impact. One of the most common misconceptions about change is that once people are motivated and committed, the change will naturally stick. But as anyone who’s led or lived through transformation knows, that’s rarely the case. This is exactly the tension that Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey explore with insight, depth, and compassion. And it’s why this book remains a foundational resource for anyone serious about not just starting change but sustaining it. Immunity to Change...

"Wellbeing at Work: How to Build Resilient and Thriving Teams" by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter is a thought-provoking and practical guide that emphasizes the vital role of employee well-being in organizational success. Published by Gallup Press, the book leverages decades of Gallup research to build a compelling case for prioritizing well-being as an essential leadership strategy. The authors make it clear that investing in well-being is not just beneficial for employees but also fundamental for driving performance, engagement, and long-term sustainability. One of the book’s central themes is the introduction of five core elements of well-being: Career Well-Being, Social...

Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, has written several groundbreaking books that explore happiness, optimism, and well-being. His three most influential works—Learned Optimism, Authentic Happiness, and Flourish—trace the evolution of his research and offer practical strategies for building a meaningful and fulfilling life. 1. Learned Optimism (1991) Theme: How Optimism Shapes Success and Well-being Learned Optimism explores how our thinking patterns affect our resilience, mental health, and success. Seligman argues that pessimism is not fixed—it is learned, and therefore, it can be unlearned. He introduces strategies to shift from a pessimistic to an optimistic mindset, leading to better mental...

Coaching Corner - Book Review The Upside of Uncertainty by Nathan Furr & Susannah Harmon Furr Overview The Upside of Uncertainty reframes the unknown as a source of possibility rather than fear. Nathan and Susannah Furr introduce a practical “first-aid cross” model with four key areas—Reframe, Prime, Do, and Sustain—to help individuals and leaders navigate uncertainty with confidence. Drawing from research, interviews, and real-world examples, the authors provide actionable strategies for shifting mindsets, preparing for ambiguity, taking decisive action, and building long-term resilience. Key Takeaways Uncertainty is Natural and Manageable – Rather than fearing the unknown, embracing it can lead...

Coaching Corner - Book Review How Minds Change by David McRaney   David McRaney’s How Minds Change offers rich insights that can be directly applied to coaching practice, helping you to support your clients in navigating belief systems and fostering transformation. One key takeaway from the book is the understanding that changing one’s mind is rarely a linear process. In a coaching context, this means recognizing that shifts in perspective often require a safe, open space for dialogue and reflection. Coaches can draw on McRaney’s exploration of cognitive dissonance and the gradual nature of belief change to guide clients gently...

Coaching Corner - Book Review Lead with Purpose by Dr. Kevin McGarry In Lead with Purpose: A Story About Leading in Your Personal and Professional Life, Dr. Kevin McGarry presents key coaching takeaways through the narrative of Eddie, a corporate leader who becomes the coach of his daughter's struggling softball team. This journey imparts several valuable lessons: Adopt a People-Centric Mindset: Eddie learns to prioritize his team's needs, recognizing that understanding and addressing individual motivations and challenges enhances overall performance. Embrace Character-Driven Leadership: The story emphasizes leading with integrity and authenticity, demonstrating that a leader's character profoundly influences team dynamics...