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Archive for What We’re Reading Now

The Average CEO Reads 4-5 Books Per Month

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013

Abraham Lincoln was known as an avid reader. In fact, many popular stories about his childhood describe his main source of education was the endless hours he spent reading anything and everything he could get his hands on. And it’s a trait he shares with many of history’s greatest leaders. Today, many statistics show that top CEOs read four to five books per month, which is four to five times the number of books the average person reads in a year.

Check out this infographic from Koozai, a UK-based digital marketing company, for some help picking your next business read. Read More→

“Live, Love, Laugh, Leave a Legacy.” –Stephen R. Covey

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

The business world lost one of its brightest and most influential minds this week. Stephen R. Covey, world-renowned author, businessman, and motivational speaker built a legendary career based on the principles of truly great leadership. Throughout the course of his life, Covey not only wrote about the essential core values outstanding leaders must develop – he also lived them. If you’ve been in the business world for any length of time, it’s highly unlikely you haven’t come across a few of his books – most notably The Seven Habits of Effective People, which is easily one of his most well-known books and has sold more than 25 milllion copies worldwide.

Stephen Covey’s words reached millions, so what better way to remember the man who defined the word leadership than by looking back at some of his most inspiring quotes. Read More→

What We’re Reading Now: Great Leaders GROW

Thursday, July 12th, 2012

Any great leader will tell you that the day you stop learning is the day you stop leading. Along the way of any career path, there’s always a lesson to be taught and knowledge to be gained. And if you think leadership development is reserved only for those in management positions, you couldn’t be further off base.

In the book Great Leaders GROW, authors Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller discuss leadership development through Blake, a recent college grad, his mentor Debbie, and the idea that all leaders must constantly GROW. Read More→

What We’re Reading Now: The Energy Bus

Monday, November 28th, 2011

101484936Are you happy with your life? Are your career, relationships, family life, and health where you want them to be? Or are you at least on the path to reach your desired destination? Even with the troubles and issues that you’re dealing with on a personal or professional level, you can still find joy and live a purposeful life. All you’ve got to do is get on the Energy Bus!

In Jon Gordon’s book, The Energy Bus, he reveals The 10 Rules for the Ride of Your Life – and they all revolve around positive energy. Now, before you click to another story because you’re not into that feel-good, lovey-dovey, HR, mystical energy stuff, realize that this positive energy isn’t about all that. It’s about infusing your life with a positive attitude, optimism, and passion in order to push through and overcome different situations and circumstances.
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What We’re Reading Now – Brain Rules

Monday, September 19th, 2011

PRD11RL_READING_FIn biology, there are just some things that are facts. No matter how much you argue or protest, they will still remain true. What does that have to do with leadership, or even work in general, you ask? John Medina, professor, development molecular biologist, and author of the New York Times best seller Brain Rules, believes there are 12 basic rules that your brain follows and if you apply these rules to your practical life, you’ll come out ahead.

Three of his rules seem especially applicable to business leaders looking to motivate their employees.
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What We’re Reading Now: The Fred Factor

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

PRD11RL_READING_FMark Sanborn wants you to be a “Fred” – that is, “continually creating new value for those you live and work with through dedication, passion and creativity.” As a professional speaker, international bestselling author, and noted authority on leadership, team building, customer service, and change, Sanborn has used the gospel of “Fred” to impact the way people interact with each other as they go through their day, a message clearly laid out in his renowned bestselling book, The Fred Factor.

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What We’re Reading Now: The Good Stuff

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

PRD11RL_READING_FOne of the perks – and sometimes the downside – to being a leader is all the personal interaction you get to enjoy. From customers to employees, working with others can range from humorous to frustrating to extremely gratifying experiences. But, if you try looking at all your interactions through the eyes of Christine Cashen, author, speaker, and America’s Top Humorista, it will be easier to turn those frustrating experiences into humorous, learning opportunities.

As Christine points out in her latest book, “The Good Stuff: Quips and Tips on Life, Love, Work & Happiness,” there are some important things to keep in mind when you work with people each day.
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What We’re Reading Now: All Buts Stink

Friday, June 24th, 2011

PRD11RL_READING_FProfessional speaker, business expert, and former professional basketball player Walter Bond is the embodiment of the phrase, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” From the hard work and dedication he put into his basketball career to the power and excitement he brings to his live speaking events, Bond is a firm believer that you can achieve anything you want in life as long as you’re willing to put in the work to make it happen.

At the beginning of his book, All Buts Stink, Bond asks the question, “How many times have you heard someone use the word “but” to justify an area in which they haven’t had success?” This book is for those people. In his typical upbeat and motivational style, Bond strives to “…help people who are motivated to reach their full potential ‘but’ need some encouragement and support getting to the next level of excellence.” And according to Bond, it all starts with your attitude.

In the first chapter, Bond lays out his four keys to a good attitude:
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What We’re Reading Now: Thank God It’s Monday

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

PRD11RL_READING_FDo you look forward to Mondays? For most, the answer is probably a resounding “No!” Whether it’s because of a difficult team, lack of meaningful work, bad work conditions, or a multitude of other explanations, a lot of people don’t look forward to the start of the workweek. Understandably, some of the causes are not within your control, but there’s a different side to this question. Do the people you interact with at work look forward to Mondays?

If not, why? This is something you have a direct impact on! As Roxanne Emmerich points out in her book, Thank God It’s Monday, you have the power to make a difference in your employees, co-workers, and customers’ lives, even if your company isn’t as recognized for a fun, hip culture like companies such as Southwest Airlines or Zappos.
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What We’re Reading Now: Lead with Luv

Monday, April 25th, 2011

PRD11RL_READING_FWhat words would you use to describe effective leadership? Strategic? Firm? Focused? What about loving? At first glance, most leaders probably don’t feel love and leadership go together. But, in his most recent book, Lead with Luv, acclaimed author and speaker Ken Blanchard reveals the necessity of servant leadership as demonstrated by Southwest Airline’s former president, Colleen Barrett.

Colleen started out as an executive assistant to Herb Kelleher, who later went on to start Southwest Airlines. Because of her heart, passion, and caring spirit, Herb eventually made her president of the now multi-million-dollar company. Colleen believed in and lived out the concept that leadership is a way a life – it’s not about a title or about managing people.
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