Your 2024 summer reading list
BY CAMDEN PAINTON
Summer's here, which means your vacation is probably right around the corner. Whether you've been busy solving water issues in California, nailing down construction plans, or preparing for a sales tax ballot measure, we know our clients are more than deserving of a restful getaway right about now.
If you're in the mood for a good read, we've prepared a summer reading list roundup for those looking to maximize their down time, or maybe even gain a little inspiration as the new fiscal year begins. Feel free to browse, relax and take what you need from these inspirational authors and their thoughts on tactical leadership, effective communication, powerful storytelling and more.
For the Storyteller
Unleash the Power of Storytelling: Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results
By Rob Biesenbach
Book description: "The market is flooded with a dizzying array of books, experts, and resources on business storytelling. This book cuts through the hype to clarify and demystify the storytelling process. Unleash the Power of Storytelling offers step-by-step instructions for finding, shaping and telling powerful stories. You’ll learn about the essential ingredients that go into any good story and how to avoid common storytelling pitfalls."
Why we love it: If there's one thing we love, it's helping our clients tell their stories. Telling a good story captures attention, builds trust, and inspires people to act. Brands that use storytelling in their marketing are known to outperform their competitors. Stories are fundamental for capturing and keeping audience attention, which is why we invest in the art of storytelling for each of our clients.
For the Influencer
How to Win Friends and Influence People
By Dale Carnegie
Book description: "Dale Carnegie offers practical and proven advice on how to deal with people and understand them in order to get along well with them to make your life more rewarding. Carnegie believed that financial success, to a very large extent, depends on ‘the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people.’ He teaches these skills through fundamental principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also details techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated."
Why we love it: In our world, we know it's not just about what you say, but how you say it. Relationship building is key for successful brainstorming, productive conversations, and ensuring tasks get done. This book inspires readers to broaden their network and leave no conversation off the table. With strong relationships, large visions come to life.
For the Team Player
By Patrick Lencioni
Book description: "In his classic book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni laid out a groundbreaking approach for tackling the perilous group behaviors that destroy teamwork. Here he turns his focus to the individual, revealing the three indispensable virtues of an ideal team player. Lencioni presents a practical framework and actionable tools for identifying, hiring and developing ideal team players. Whether you’re a leader trying to create a culture around teamwork, growing your team, or a team player wanting to improve yourself, this book will prove to be as useful as it is compelling."
Why we love it: At the heart of our company lies a dedication to fostering exceptional teamwork and collaboration. We value people who stay hungry, humble and smart in their approach to work (Lencioni's three virtues of an ideal team player). This book is an office essential for us, and a gift we extend to all of our new employees.
For the Leader
By Brené Brown
Book description: "Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential. When we dare to lead, we don't pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don't see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don't avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it's necessary to do good work."
Why we love it: As a Deliberately Developmental Organization, JPW invests in the growth and personal development of each of our employees. Brené Brown offers practical advice on how to cultivate an atmosphere that encourages thoughtful leadership and innovative thinking, so that all voices can be heard and individual talents utilized within a team.
For the Public Speaker
Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot
By Matt Abrahams
Book description: "In Think Faster, Talk Smarter, Stanford lecturer, podcast host, and communication expert Matt Abrahams provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously. Abrahams provides science-based strategies for managing anxiety, responding to the mood of the room, and making content concise, relevant, compelling, and memorable. He offers best practices for navigating Q&A sessions, shining in job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, persuading others, and handling other impromptu speaking tasks."
Why we love it: Abrahams offers great advice on how to manage anxiety, think on the spot, and deliver well-crafted and thoughtful responses when asked to spontaneously speak. We love how practical and effective his advice is. Give it a read if you're looking to enhance your eloquence and ease while public speaking.