Spring is here! If your resolution to start the new decade was to read more, or perhaps to branch out and read different styles and genres, then you’re in a great place to find some captivating reads that have been circulating throughout our business community. Of course, we welcome all types of readers – from the occasional reader to book-clubbers, and audio-book ‘readers’ to bookworms. We’re always excited to share a great book, so we invited women who inspire us to share what’s inspiring them!
Talking to Strangers by Malcom Gladwell
Gladwell shines a light into how we make decisions, judge others and act the way we do. He interviews a cast of real-life characters, referencing historical deceptions, tragedies and court cases to exemplify how we make sense of people we don’t know. If you’re going to dive into this book, I highly encourage you to listen to the audiobook. The author narrates and features people he’s interviewed, giving this audiobook a highly produced podcast feel. The bonus, Jannelle Monae’s ‘Hell You Talmbout’ is the theme song!
Danielle Lazarevska | Sandbox Centre
Miki Agrawal is a powerhouse female social entrepreneur who pursues her dreams and inspires readers to get off their seat and DO something about theirs. Agrawal breaks down her passionate ventures in career exploration with no shortage of calls to action.
The book is packed with ideas, inspiration and learning moments that will get you thinking about cool sh*t to execute on in your own life. Don’t stop there! Once you discover the unique personality of Miki you won’t be able to resist diving into her inspirational talks, innovative business ventures and variety of funky hats!
Teena Suave | Botree Inc.
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
“Think progress, not perfection. The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition. Focus on the moment, not the monsters that may or may not be up ahead.”
This is the perfect bedside read for anyone in business or leadership. We all face that moment of feeling stuck, unsure of what to do next. Feeling like what is in front of us is too big, too scary, too much. This book is the spark that will get you motivated to overcome any obstacle in your way and will teach you how to use that obstacle to your benefit. Any obstacle. Trust me. Embrace those challenges and shine bright.
Kelly Letourneau | Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie
Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
Inconvenient Indian has made a profound impact on our lives. Thomas King offers an in depth understanding of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples from contact until present-day. It is “burnished with anger but tempered by wit.” This book should be read deliberately.
“For an individual, one of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again in the same way and expecting different results. For a government, such behaviour is called…policy.”
Caycee Masters | Journey Into Truth
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
For the non-readers out there, the ones that have a short attention span or the ones who don’t know where to start, this a short and sweet read! Ruiz references the book as a practical guide to personal freedom and outlines self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy.
He outlines a personal code of conduct known as the “Four Agreements” to practice in everyday life. These Agreements sound simple at first but it is the act of truly understanding, implementing and reflecting upon them that can be challenging and we often need to be reminded of. The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives and help us achieve a new perspective, true happiness and ultimate freedom.
Lauren Martinuik | Scotiabank
21 Days to Resilience by Dr. Zelana Montminy
Montminy reminds us that resilience is a journey that we need to travel in our daily lives if we hope to make sense of the multitude of challenges and shocks that threaten to overtake us if we are not intentional in our response. Through a combination of lived experiences, practical application, reflection, and a firm grounding in research, the author takes us through twenty-one factors that can help to build up one’s resilience.
As a recommended read, 21 Days to Resilience ticks all the boxes. It offers a roadmap for the journey centered on three landmarks; Self, Spirit, and Social. The tools in each chapter allow you to apply your learnings individually or can be an excellent addition to one’s team building tool-kit. And because time is a challenge for all of us, this book is an easy read and fits nicely into an organization’s team development plans.
Claudine Cousins | Empower Simcoe
The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
I was given this book as a gift from a business partner whom I respect. It was very engaging and easy to read and inspired me to take some recommended actions in my life immediately. The aim of the book is to show you how to cut through all the clutter of work, life and family to really focus on the things that matter and have the most impact.
I often find myself repeating in my head, “What is the ONE THING I could do today such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary.” There is such power in asking this question.
Joanne McPhail | Barriston Law
Aesthetic Intelligence by Pauline Brown
Pauline Brown, former Chairman of LVMH North America and a longtime leader in the luxury goods sector, is a pioneer in the burgeoning field of the business of aesthetics. Aesthetic Intelligence shows how executives, entrepreneurs and other professionals can harness the power of their own senses to build businesses that last and offer products that stand out, resonate with and delight their customers.
Aesthetic Intelligence is full of interesting real-world case studies, showcasing how ‘the other AI’ comes to life in unexpected ways. My favourite takeaways are around the importance of considering and appealing to all five senses when considering your brand’s experience, and that successful brands must focus on forging human connections by treating customers ‘not as people who merely seek to consume but as humans who ultimately seek to feel alive’.
Meghan Kelly | The Atelier Collective