Reading - an accessible way to learn
Learning is a life long journey. Many of us are too busy living our lives to engage in full time formal studies. Reading or listening to books is an inexpensive way to expand your horizons. Your local libraries are full of great reads, in both print and audio format. If you have a long commute or are planning a long drive, why not listen to a book?
Diversity
Generation Y and the New Work Ethic, by Jeanne Martinson, published in 2013. This concise
book provides valuable insight on how leaders can provide an inclusive work
environment for all four generations currently in the workforce: Traditionalists, Baby
Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y.
I applaud Jeanne for her educational and equitable description of each
generation, and the groups that prove the exception to the rule. I also enjoyed learning about the new work ethic model that can be implemented
with all generations. Jeanne highlights
the leadership role in building inclusivity and maximizing the contribution of
all employees. For more information on best-selling
author and diversity strategist Jeanne Martinson, visit the Martrain website at
www.martrain.org.
Entrepreneurship
“The big enough company: Creating a Business That Works for You” by Adelaide Lancaster and Amy Abrams, published in 2011. A friend who has been an entrepreneur for many years lent me this book, to help me grow my business on my terms. This is an excellent book for women entrepreneurs who often struggle with how to pursue their dreams in a world where the most popular success stories talk about making it BIG! Adelaide and Amy share how they leverage their personal strengths to help each other build a successful company that was big enough for them. They also share the stories of women entrepreneurs who achieved success following their dream, building their businesses on models that work for them. I particularly like how Adelaide and Amy encourage everyone to create their own definition of success. Favourite quote “Strength comes in numbers; numbers of colleagues, that is. Hands down, one of the best ways to enhance your business is by forming relationships with your peers.”
"Good Morning, Beautiful Business" by Judy Wicks, published in 2013. I found this book truly inspirational; an entertaining and educational read. Judy Wicks tells a compelling story of her life and career as an independent business owner who advocates for sustainable local economies. Judy is a proponent for doing well by doing good, explaining how entrepreneurs following the triple bottom line of people, planet, profit (or equity, ecology, economy) can provide a living wage to their employees, follow sustainable business practices like buying renewable energy and locally sourced materials while making a healthy bottom line. Judy shared her message with her restaurant’s customers, by actively participating in organizations such as the Social Venture Network and by founding the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Favourite quote “…hire a talented person and design the job around that individual’s strengths and interests, rather than define the position first and then someone to fit it.”
"Good Morning, Beautiful Business" by Judy Wicks, published in 2013. I found this book truly inspirational; an entertaining and educational read. Judy Wicks tells a compelling story of her life and career as an independent business owner who advocates for sustainable local economies. Judy is a proponent for doing well by doing good, explaining how entrepreneurs following the triple bottom line of people, planet, profit (or equity, ecology, economy) can provide a living wage to their employees, follow sustainable business practices like buying renewable energy and locally sourced materials while making a healthy bottom line. Judy shared her message with her restaurant’s customers, by actively participating in organizations such as the Social Venture Network and by founding the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Favourite quote “…hire a talented person and design the job around that individual’s strengths and interests, rather than define the position first and then someone to fit it.”
Leadership
"Build an A Team: Play to Their Strengths and Lead Them Up the Learning Curve" by Whitney Johnson, published in 2018. This book is a must read for leaders and aspiring leaders. It explains the importance of attracting the right team members, giving them the space to learn their basic roles, then keeping them learning and producing until you are ready to send them on to bigger and better things working for someone else. Favourite quote from this book "When you develop people, you push them - and you - forward. What you give, you eventually get back." This book really resonated with me, as I've always believed that my job as a leader was to give my team the resources, training and opportunities they needed to be successful at their jobs - and future jobs. It gives me great joy when someone who worked with me excels.
"The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential" by John C. Maxwell, published in 2011. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. As a retired military officer and a volunteer on several boards, I have had the opportunity to interact with many different leaders. I thought of several of these leaders as I reflected on the lessons in this book. John shared stories about his leadership journey and offered many insights to help other leaders learn and thrive. Having a plan to develop as a leader and an individual is one of the key tools that John covers. I particularly liked the example of John R. Wooden, who looked up to Mother Teresa as a role model, as a level 5 leader. Coach Wooden said “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
"The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential" by John C. Maxwell, published in 2012. I heard about John Maxwell at a leadership workshop I attended in May 2013; the facilitator referred to John several times and recommended all his
books. This is the first one I read. The great thing about “laws” is that they are things we understand to be true, but don’t
always consciously follow. This book lays out the 15 laws John lives by and encourages others to follow in order to reach their full potential. This is a wonderful book for people who want to achieve more, and are looking for ideas on how to do so. Favorite quote “The great men and women of history were not great because of what they earned and owned, but rather for what they gave their lives to
accomplish. Every trade-off is a challenge to become what we really are. Done correctly, we can create opportunities to help others become who they really are. That is significance!”
"Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg, published in 2013. This book is a great read for both men and women, particularly those in a leadership position. I heard about it from two men in my life, my husband and my father. I bought Lean In while we were vacationing with the children for March break and read it in three days. Sheryl shares insights about the challenges many women face when pursuing professional success. She also talks about the different expectations for men and women. I like the way Sheryl writes about accepting the consequences of our choices. A favorite quote from the book “If more children see fathers at school pickups and mothers who are busy at jobs, both girls and boys will envision more options for themselves. Expectations will not be set by gender but by personal passion, talents, and interests.”
"The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential" by John C. Maxwell, published in 2011. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. As a retired military officer and a volunteer on several boards, I have had the opportunity to interact with many different leaders. I thought of several of these leaders as I reflected on the lessons in this book. John shared stories about his leadership journey and offered many insights to help other leaders learn and thrive. Having a plan to develop as a leader and an individual is one of the key tools that John covers. I particularly liked the example of John R. Wooden, who looked up to Mother Teresa as a role model, as a level 5 leader. Coach Wooden said “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
"The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential" by John C. Maxwell, published in 2012. I heard about John Maxwell at a leadership workshop I attended in May 2013; the facilitator referred to John several times and recommended all his
books. This is the first one I read. The great thing about “laws” is that they are things we understand to be true, but don’t
always consciously follow. This book lays out the 15 laws John lives by and encourages others to follow in order to reach their full potential. This is a wonderful book for people who want to achieve more, and are looking for ideas on how to do so. Favorite quote “The great men and women of history were not great because of what they earned and owned, but rather for what they gave their lives to
accomplish. Every trade-off is a challenge to become what we really are. Done correctly, we can create opportunities to help others become who they really are. That is significance!”
"Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg, published in 2013. This book is a great read for both men and women, particularly those in a leadership position. I heard about it from two men in my life, my husband and my father. I bought Lean In while we were vacationing with the children for March break and read it in three days. Sheryl shares insights about the challenges many women face when pursuing professional success. She also talks about the different expectations for men and women. I like the way Sheryl writes about accepting the consequences of our choices. A favorite quote from the book “If more children see fathers at school pickups and mothers who are busy at jobs, both girls and boys will envision more options for themselves. Expectations will not be set by gender but by personal passion, talents, and interests.”
Mentoring
"Be Your Own Mentor: Strategies from Top Women on the Secrets of Success" by Sheila Wellington and Catalyst with Betty Spence, published in 2001. The purpose of this book is to help women achieve success regardless of their career field. The mentoring advice is drawn from the success stories of countless women and leaders at all levels who have interacted with Catalyst; a non-profit organization that was founded in 1962. Catalyst's mission is "Expanding opportunities for women and business." I've embedded a link to Catalyst Canada http://catalyst.org/regions/canada. I particularly enjoyed the Get Ahead Basics chapter which states "People - women and men - make or break their own careers" and then outlines 8 Axioms for Advancement. I also enjoyed the Find a Mentor/Be a Mentor chapter which includes a call to action to readers to become mentors. I have benefitted from the advice of mentors throughout my career and have been formally mentoring people for several years. It's incredibly rewarding to be in a mentoring relationship. This book is a great read for: women who have yet to find a mentor; women interested in becoming a mentor; and men who are mentoring women.
History - women
“100 more Canadian heroines: Famous and Forgotten Faces“ by Merna Forster, published in 2011. This book recounts the stories of another 100 amazing Canadian women. Each story is three to five pages long, and includes at least one image and a quote attributed to the woman. My favourite stories were about Joan Bamford Fletcher who as a lieutenant in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry commanded a force of forty Japanese soldiers in the jungles of Sumatra on a perilous rescue of nearly 2000 women and children, Frances Oldham Kelsey who defied the drug companies to ban Thalidomide from use in Canada; and Marion Orr who served in England with the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War. Favourite quote from Frances Oldham Kelsey “They gave it (the review of Kevadon) to me because they thought it would be an easy one to start on. As it turned out, it wasn’t that easy.” I would love to see more of these heroines featured in Canadian K12 school curriculums.
“Great women from our First Nations” by Kelly Fournel, published in 2007. This book is aimed at young readers and talks about Canadian and American First Nations heroines. This is a great book for those interested in learning more about these amazing women.
The stories are each about a dozen pages long, and include several images related to their subject. The detail provided breathes life into these historic women’s stories allowing young readers to learn more about both the challenges they faced and their accomplishments. Pauline Johnson – Tekahionwake is also featured in this book making it a great resource for grade 6 students in Ontario.
“100 Canadian heroines: famous and forgotten” by Merna Forster, published in 2004. This is a great read, including short stories about 100 Canadian women who made a difference. Featured women include many who were the first to succeed in their chosen career fields and many who lobbied for women’s rights and employment equity so that future generations of women would have more opportunities.
The stories include at least one image, a photograph or painting, related to the woman featured and a quote attributed to or about the heroine. It was a nice bonus to realize that some of these women are featured in the Ontario school curriculum, such as E. Pauline Johnson, the Mohawk Poet. For more information about Canadian Heroines check out the following website: http://www.heroines.ca/
“Great women from our First Nations” by Kelly Fournel, published in 2007. This book is aimed at young readers and talks about Canadian and American First Nations heroines. This is a great book for those interested in learning more about these amazing women.
The stories are each about a dozen pages long, and include several images related to their subject. The detail provided breathes life into these historic women’s stories allowing young readers to learn more about both the challenges they faced and their accomplishments. Pauline Johnson – Tekahionwake is also featured in this book making it a great resource for grade 6 students in Ontario.
“100 Canadian heroines: famous and forgotten” by Merna Forster, published in 2004. This is a great read, including short stories about 100 Canadian women who made a difference. Featured women include many who were the first to succeed in their chosen career fields and many who lobbied for women’s rights and employment equity so that future generations of women would have more opportunities.
The stories include at least one image, a photograph or painting, related to the woman featured and a quote attributed to or about the heroine. It was a nice bonus to realize that some of these women are featured in the Ontario school curriculum, such as E. Pauline Johnson, the Mohawk Poet. For more information about Canadian Heroines check out the following website: http://www.heroines.ca/
Employment Equity - women
"Canadian Women & the Struggle for Equality" by Lorna Marsden, published in 2012. This book provides a sociologist’s overview of how Canadian women have progressed from not being recognized as people under the British North America Act, to achieving equity in many aspects of Canadian Life. The chapter called "Women, War, and Social Change in Canada" provided me with new insights regarding many of the changes I experienced in my 28 year military career. It's a great book, using interesting stories to illustrate that although woman have come a long way in Canada, there are still many women who lack basic rights and equal pay. The book explains how Aboriginal women in particular are still at a disadvantage. My favourite part of the book is that it explains how a few dedicated people, women and men, continue to influence public policy making significant improvements for all Canadians.
Work life balance
"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens," published in 2003, written by Sean Covey, son of Stephen R. Covey renown author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." Both books are a great read, the Teen book is recommended for those with a limited time. It is full of amusing images, quotes and examples that are relevant to teens and everyone else. It includes great advice on how to achieve success in all aspects of life, including education, career and personal life. I gave my niece and nephew each their own copy, which they assure me they have read. Definitely a book worth investing in. For those interested in sharing the 7 habits with a younger audience check out "The7 habits for happy kids." My children asked me to re-read several of the chapters. For more information check out Sean Covey's site at http://www.seancovey.com/teens.html.
