A Personal Perspective

Book Recommendations

My book recommendations are partly inspired by the work I did to complete my Deep Coaching Certification. I look at my coaching work in a new way – with renewed appreciation for ‘feeling into’ our deeper truth and contrasting it with the habitual conditioned patterns of our personality structure. In essence, moving from constriction to expansion. This perspective is highly compatible with my doctoral research on the intersection between artistry and leadership. In both cases, transformative endeavors draw on the capacity to fully and intimately experience our present experience. Engaging from this place of full presence enables us to see more and connect more, leading to more intelligent action and a more enriching life journey. The books below are ones I have found especially meaningful in recent years. Some are recently published books while others are ones I returned to from years ago. It is a multidisciplinary collection ranging from books about the Enneagram, Mindfulness, Somatics, Communication, The Inner Critic, Positive Psychology, Spirituality, Creativity, and of course, Leadership.

Take a browse and plunge into what most resonates for you. Enjoy!

  • Awaken Your Authentic Leadership: Lead with Inner Clarity and Purpose by Tana Heminsley
  • Body of Work: Finding the Thread That Ties Your Story Together by Pamela Slim
  • Beauty: The Invisible Embrace…Rediscovering the True Sources of Compassion, Serenity, and Hope by John O’Donohue
  • Centered Leadership: Leading With Purpose, Clarity and Impact by Joanna Barsh and Johanne Lavoie
  • Comfortable With Uncertainty: 108 Teaching on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion by Pema Chodren
  • Conversation – The Sacred Art: Practicing Presence in an Age of Distractionby Diane Millis
  • Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All by Tom Kelley & David Kelley
  • Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull
  • Creativity on Demand: How to Ignite and Sustain the Fire of Genius by Michael Gelb
  • Deep Living: Transforming Your Relationship to Everything That Matters through the Enneagram by Roxanne Howe-Murphy
  • The Discomfort Zone: How Leaders Turn Difficult Conversations Into Breakthroughs by Marcia Reynolds
  • Everything Connects: How to Transform and Lead in the Age of Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability by Faisal Hoque
  • Everything Is Workable: A Zen Approach to Conflict Resolution by Diane Musho Hamilton
  • Expand This Moment: Focused Meditations to Quiet Your Mind, Brighten Your Mood and Set Yourself Free by John Selby
  • Finding the Space to Lead: A Practical Guide to Mindful Leadership by Janice Marturano
  • Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence by Daniel Goleman
  • The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who you Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are…Your Guide to Wholehearted Living by Brené Brown
  • Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm and Confidence by Rick Hanson
  • How to be a Positive Leader: Small Actions, Big Impact by Jane Dutton & Gretchen Spreitzer
  • Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling by Edgar Schein
  • Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization by Robert Kegan & Lisa Laskow Lahey
  • InsideOut Enneagram: The Game-Changing Guide for Leaders by Wendy Appel
  • The Joy of Appreciative Living: Your 28-Day Plan to Greater Happiness Using the Principles of Appreciative Inquiry by Jacqueline Bascobert Kelm
  • Leadership Embodiment by Wendy Palmer & Janet Crawford
  • Living in Gratitude: Mastering the Art of Giving Thanks Every Day (A Month by Month Guide) by Angeles Arrien
  • Moments of Impact: How to Design Strategic Conversations That Accelerate Change by Chris Ertel & Lisa Kay Soloman
  • Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence by Amy Jen Su & Muriel Maignan Wilkins
  • Playing Big: Find Your Voice, Your Mission, Your Message by Tara Mohr
  • The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work by Teresa Amabile & Steven Kramer
  • Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation by Sharon Salzberg
  • Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristen Neff
  • The Soul of Place: Re-imagining Leadership Through Nature Art and Community by Michael Jones
  • Storytelling in Business: The Authentic and Fluent Organization by Janis Forman
  • Three Stories Leaders Tell: The What and Way of Using Stories to Lead by Christine Cavanaugh-Simmons
  • Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating A Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington
  • The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life by Thomas Moore
  • Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears by Pema Chodren
  • The Unthethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer
  • The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming An Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heartby Cynthia Bourgeault
  • Work: How to Find Joy and Meaning in Each Hour of the Day by Thich Nhat Hanh