Check out my must-reads for developmentI’m an avid reader. As soon as I have a new idea for a project, destination I want to visit, or thing I want to undertake i’m straight to a bookstore. I also like to come at the same idea through lots of different mediums – listening, watching, reading. The more angles, the more takeaways. I encourage you to expand your horizons in whatever way works for you.
Most of the links below are for a UK bookstore, Waterstones. I am very thrifty, and love recycling and re-using wherever I can. You’ll find links for UK specific to places to buy pre-loved versions of the books i’ve recommended. I’d also encourage you to join your local library who can request books for you. If you’re hailing from a different place in the world, drop your favourite resources in the comments.
Self discovery
Go Slow. Integrate what you’ve learned, then seek more.
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron, discover your inner artistic expression, even if you THINK you have none. You’ll learn a daily practice of the artist’s pages, and artist dates. My dear friend Joslyn recommended this to me just when I needed it.
The Daily Stoic – Ryan Holiday, I also recommend the accompanying diary, and have gifted The Daily Dad to several friends. This book has formed a daily discipline I consistently return to.
Sacred Contracts – Caroline Myss, I listened to this on Audible and it was beautiful, read by the author, Caroline, in front of a live audience it hits deep. If you’re lost, confused as to your purpose, waiting for a lighting bolt of inspiration… you need this book.
Humankind: A Hopeful History – Rutger Bregman, a reminder that humanity is best when it’s being kind. Many examples combined to lead us to being human and kind.
Quiet – Susan Cain, It’s ok to be introverted, it’s a super power. It’s only in western society that we’ve come to over-value someone commanding attention, holding court.
Leadership & Business
Measure What Matters – Justin Doerr, are you caught up with busy work? Is your company scaling in the way you want? Are you in a cycle of not being able to hire, but knowing you need to in order to grow. Set some Objective Key Results and watch as you grow and achieve what you actually want!
Legacy – James Kerr, the playbook of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team, a dynasty of players who put “no dickheads” above trophies.
Company of One – Paul Jarvis, do you NEED to grow? Does your company have to be big for you to achieve your life goals? I was gifted this book (actually I kind of pinched it from an abandoned pile) from my friend, Lynsey who runs a B2B vegan bakery business in Plymouth, she gets up at 4am, bakes and delivers her cakes to local cafes and is done by 10am leaving the rest of the day to surf, bike, run or write her upcoming cook book. She’s my hero for someone who has chosen the way they want to live vs. being driven by “should”.
I’ve read many more books on how we can form & storm teams, create great environments and trigger growth but these two are the fundamental lessons I return to, and I believe others iterate upon. If you have recommendations I’d love to hear them.
Firm Favourites
Wolfpack – Abby Wambach
This book taught me what it means to lead, no matter where you are in the team. Abby takes current paradigms and considers them from new angles, re-thinking the cultural norms and stories we are told, like Little Red Riding Hood, and proposes fresh points of view. When her professional soccer career was coming to an end, Abby had the choice of either sulking on the sidelines or being the best damn cheerleader for her team the world had ever seen – spoiler alert, she had to be moved down the bench away from the coaches because she was cheering SO LOUDLY! If you’re looking to learn more about what it means to build a tribe, and be fully committed to the betterment of it, this is a read for you!
Awesome Books from £6
Waterstones from £9.99
Or if you prefer to listen to the biggest takeaways, listen to Brené Brown’s interview of Abby via the dare to lead podcast, link below. 👇
The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk
I read this book as I was going through some heavy work involving my own stories. It’s part scientific set-up & explanation, part solution and requires some concentration to fully absorb (or for me at least!). My biggest take away was the discussion of k-cells and when we’ve experienced trauma, whether physical or phycological, we not only change at the cellular level but we become pre-disposed to look for more trauma (cue the Recticular Activating System). The book finishes with tangible frameworks that have helped trauma victims of abuse, PTSD from military service and many more – drama & acting, equine therapy, as well as journaling and self reflection practices. Whether you’ve experienced trauma yourself or want to better understand the effects it can have on others, this is well worth a read.
Awesome Books from £11
Waterstones from £12.99
Bessel was interviewed on The Good Life Project, about his work. Find the link below 👇
Things my friends have written
I am such a huge fan of my friends who have dedicated themselves to write something and birth it into the world. You’ll find me cheering from the sidelines (just like Abby in Wolfpack) for their bravery and dedication.
How to move it – Joslyn Thompson Rule, Joslyn and I met in the warm up area of a CrossFit competition what feels like a lifetime ago and we’ve been friends ever since. Now a globally recognised Peloton coach and Podcast host she continually awes me with her kindness and curiosity of the world, and the dedication to her craft of being the best possible coach she can be. In so doing, she’s a leader of others with a gentle grace that cannot help but inspire.
101 women of science – Claire Philip, A children’s author and constant source of inspiration to me, Claire has written on dinosaurs, sharks and fairies alike. A series of books about a unicorn and her friends, a discovery of the women who changed science – I dare you not to find a beautiful story to read your little one (or your self!) go search for her work! Claire is one of those people who decides she will be friends with you, and you have no power to stop it, and I’m so glad she chose me.
Have you written a book I need to know about? Let’s get it in here for everyone to enjoy.
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