Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

With the rise of social media and the internet, it feels like there has been an exacerbation of underlying hostility among people who refuse to simmer down anytime soon. In this modern era, communication is critical to bridging relationships and reaching across the political spectrum that seems to have divided the general populace to extremes. Sally Susman is the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Pfizer, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. With Breaking Through, Susman provides valuable insights to help readers get the best out of conversations and use communication as a fundamental benchmark for success. You will learn to display clarity of vision while declaring unwavering intentionality, practice honesty in all aspects of your life, build a framework to navigate the unexpected challenges that come your way, use humor to foster workplace harmony, and much more.

Breaking Through gives you the tools and practices to help you find the best way to communicate and present yourself and your ideas to the outside world. This book is not just for corporate professionals or entrepreneurs but for people from all backgrounds and careers. Author Sally Susman uses personal anecdotes and shares her vast knowledge and experience to help you become the best version of yourself and thrive in your respective field. She reveals how difficult it was to come out in front of her parents in the mid-1980s and encourages readers to strive to be authentic about who they are and what they want. I found the book educational and inspiring but also surprisingly entertaining because of Susman's wit and humor. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Our past experiences shape our mindset and tremendously impact how we perceive, analyze, and approach any event or situation in our lives. Despite being raised in a dysfunctional home, Soren Kaplan went on to become the leader of a strategy team of a Fortune 500 corporation in Silicon Valley. In this thought-provoking guidebook, Experiential Intelligence, Kaplan showcases how XQ (Experiential Intelligence) relates to IQ and EQ (Emotional Intelligence), providing tools and strategies for us to help nurture and develop our XQ and apply it in our personal and professional lives in the context of leadership, teams, and communities. It also shows you how to identify the collective experience and impact of the past in the context of your community, team, or organization and helps you foster leadership abilities amidst disruptive environments.

At the end of each chapter, Soren Kaplan provides key messages that outline and overview the contents of the relative chapter. Experiential Intelligence offers tools and practices to help us recognize and tap into opportunities by drawing on the strengths we've accumulated through our past experiences. You will learn to create new experiences, develop abilities, scale Experiential Intelligence, and foster positive relationship loops. Presented with meticulous organization and a keen eye for detail, the contents are accessible and easy to grasp. Kaplan's insights and practices are also applicable in the real world, which is my biggest compliment. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

In her eye-opening work, Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges, Michelle D Gladieux encourages us to take intelligent communication risks and grow as communicators. In her narrative, courage refers to the ability to face and address dysfunctional elements of communication in oneself and those we interact with. Analyzing risk relates to evaluating the professional and personal costs involved in communication, choosing whether to deliver a message, and considering how to deliver it. For one to grow and become an effective communicator, Gladieux asserts we have to be aware and ready to address four hidden challenges, which include hiding from risk, defining to be right, which involves acting on the bias, rationalizing the negative, which includes shielding oneself from the advantages and disadvantages of communication and, settling for just good enough in communication.

Communicate with Courage includes helpful communication strategies in each chapter that can be utilized professionally and personally. The exercises are specific and straightforward and guide us on how to act on the advice included. I loved that the content is written for different people with different personalities, and considers our various ways of communicating. It explores the hidden challenges of informative communication with thoughtful and enlightening anecdotes. The discussions are timely, especially in today’s world marked by strife and conflict, and will be helpful to anyone regardless of how effective they are in communicating. Communicate with Courage by Michelle D Gladieux is an important work that delivers actionable and valuable strategies and tools for developing your communication skills. It will be helpful to anyone regardless of one's professional or personal background. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Grace Ruhara for Readers' Favorite

What kind of leader do you aspire to be? Do you want to be the controlling and commanding leader that thrives on your employees following you rather than leading them? If not, Leadership Mindset 2.0: The Psychology and Neuroscience of Reaching your Full Potential by R. Michael Anderson will equip you with tools and techniques to become a better leader who is resilient, focused, motivating, yet empathetic and humble. Anderson incorporates four phases of growth leadership with psychology and neuroscience that will help you as a leader to understand how your brain functions and how it’s wired; how you think and how you can change your mindset; the drive behind the choices you make so that you can easily release any stumbling blocks that are holding you back from reaching your full potential. He also reveals how you can adopt a positive mindset by learning what procrastination and imposter syndrome are and how to overcome them. Anderson shows how to lead others by learning to relate to them while inspiring and motivating them. He also teaches the leader how to think, act, talk, and connect with others strategically.

Leaders will be motivated to work on themselves to become great with R. Michael Anderson’s story. He provides examples of individuals who have made mistakes in life, enabling us to learn from their mistakes and avoid them, thus giving us an upper hand once a similar situation approaches. At the end of each subtopic, some questions helped me think about and evaluate my leadership skills. As a result, I ended up adjusting and rectifying my weak areas. Leadership Mindset 2.0: The Psychology and Neuroscience of Reaching your Full Potential is a guide I recommend to those who want to become better leaders with a positive mindset and work well with others to do their best.

Reviewed by Parul Sood for Readers' Favorite

The StorySelling Method by Philipp Humm is a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of storytelling in business. In his book, Humm provides a step-by-step process for crafting and delivering stories that will not only captivate your audience but also persuade them and inspire action. He begins by explaining the importance of storytelling in business, emphasizing the power of stories to build trust, stand out, and boost sales. He then breaks down the four essential elements of effective storytelling: characters, conflict, plot, and resolution. Throughout the pages, Humm provides practical exercises, templates, and real-world examples to help us create compelling stories.

One of the strengths of The StorySelling Method by Philipp Humm is its focus on authenticity and emotional resonance. Humm stresses the importance of connecting with your audience emotionally and provides tips for doing so authentically. He also emphasizes drawing on your experiences and emotions when crafting your stories rather than relying on generic or formulaic approaches. It is a blueprint for creating accounts to captivate your audience and drive sales. The exercises and templates provided make the concepts easy to understand and apply, and the real-world examples help to illustrate the points and make the ideas more tangible. This engaging and informative read offers valuable insights and practical tools for improving storytelling skills. Whether you're a marketer, salesperson, or entrepreneur, it is a must-read if you want to build stronger connections with your audience and drive business results through the power of storytelling.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Lift: Fostering the Leader in You Amid Revolutionary Global Change (English and Spanish Edition), by Faisal Hoque, Jeff Wuorio, and Shelley Moench-Kelly, is a compelling, powerful guide to transforming leadership around the globe. Our world is changing by the day, month, and year, and will continue to change. In the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, COVID-19, climate change, and economic instability, emphasis should now be placed on a different style of leadership--out with the old way of short-term results; in with a new way of people-centered, long-term results. These authors show how this is the perfect time to make some changes that will actually make a difference in this generation and the ones to come. This leadership style can extend to all facets of how we operate, from work, leisure, government, management, and beyond.

The authors call this type of leader "transformational", one who leads with the long view in mind, and concrete solutions, not just theory or platitudes. This style of leading involves compassion, action, emotional intelligence, and learning by experience. Although the entire book is fascinating and inspiring, I was most intrigued by the chapter that explained the Fourth Industrial Revolution, aka 4IR, which interconnects global technologies. After reading this book, you too may realize that we will probably never go back to the way we did things before COVID-19--change is needed, and now is the perfect time. Another interesting chapter is on the spread of misinformation, and how this new way of leading can address it. There is so much in this book to like, and the possibilities are far-reaching: finance, ethics, healthcare, technology, education, co-bots (robots acting as co-workers), etc. If you want to be this kind of new leader, or if the idea excites you for the great changes it could bring, Lift: Fostering the Leader in You Amid Revolutionary Global Change by Faisal Hoque is a must-read.

Reviewed by Dr. Jordan Alexander for Readers' Favorite

Do you believe in your limitless potential? Monica Kang does. She’s the author of Rethink Creativity: How to innovate, inspire and thrive at work. The entrepreneur, founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox® has cracked the code on creativity at work and shares how you too can be liberated to bring your whole self to work - and that includes your creative part! I can hear you say, ‘but I’m not creative’ or ‘I’m not an artist or musician’. Don’t worry, reading the latest edition will help you realize that creativity is universal and everyone (even you) can be creative. I loved the format of Rethink Creativity as each chapter cites a powerful quote to set the scene – like Edison ‘failing’ 10,000 times before creating the perfect lightbulb. So how can we call the 10,000 times a failure? Monica challenges readers to reflect on topics with probing questions and ‘outside the box’ practices. She introduces new ways of working, thinking, and relating to others so that by the end, you are set to bring 100% of your superpowers to work.

Rethink Creativity is a high-energy guidebook with something for everyone. Whether you head up a Fortune 500 company or the school’s PTA – leaders, managers, and team members will all learn something new. I was shocked that over 80% of professionals feel stuck at work, lack a creative outlet, and are afraid to offer an alternate opinion. No wonder the World Health Organization officially declared burnout (caused by chronic workplace stress) a major health problem. Imagine turning that statistic around, as Monica Kang did for herself. This internationally recognized expert shares how she cultivated her own creative side as a mindset and way of living. Her diverse work experience (including giving nuclear non-proliferation policy advice), and insights from growing up between two cultures, Korean and American, help us learn how to become better problem solvers, more mindful, and happier. Her lived experiences and humorous stories add to the book’s relatability.

There has never been a more important time to foster meaningful creativity in the workplace. Complete with exercises, an extensive reading list, and access to free resources so you never stop learning, Monica’s wish is to leave audiences with more questions than answers. Rethink Creativity certainly left me with more questions as it unleashed my creative genie out of its box. I’m enjoying playing detective and pushing deeper as I learn to innovate, unleash teams, and grow creative organizational cultures. You cannot be creative alone, so best get a copy of Rethink Creativity today, and let Monica leave you with more questions and poised for a brighter, more colorful, creative workplace.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Authors Nitin Rakesh and Jerry Wind present eight principles on turning crises into opportunities in order to stay relevant and competitive in these challenging times in their book, Transformation in Times of Crisis. As the world goes through a series of global health, economic, and political problems, this book discusses how to create opportunities in times of such disruption. These principles are discussed in separate chapters that reflect the best practices of notable companies. It not only helps to identify opportunities but also how to defend against these disruptions. Aside from the eight principles, it similarly provides a framework to develop your implementation strategy, as well as ten tools to aid you in the implementation process. It has a workbook feel to it, as it provides useful Q&A checklists to monitor your real-time progress.

I am not a business-savvy person, but Transformation in Times of Crisis was worth the time and read. This is a solid reference book that can help create a path for businesses to continue to navigate the tides of change in the world of business. Nitin Rakesh and Jerry Wind not only guide but also inspire, using relevant quotes to put emphasis on the points they are trying to make. Their case studies of prominent companies like Tesla, Netflix, and Zoom make them succeed in changing your negative perceptions and give solid proof that the pandemic is not an excuse for any business to flounder. One of the best parts of this book is how it allows you to view setbacks as an opportunity to transform and to emerge as a stronger entity in the market. Similarly, it shows you the pitfalls and ramifications of what could possibly happen if you choose to stand back and refuse to adapt. This is a highly-recommended read to all decision-makers, retailers, entrepreneurs, and anyone in need of an idea of how to overcome contemporary business adversities.

Reviewed by Dr. Jordan Alexander for Readers' Favorite

Mindfulness Without the Bells and Beads offers exactly what author Clif Smith says it will: Unlocking Exceptional Performance, Leadership, and Well-being for Working Professionals. Without ringing one bell or chanting one Om, the ex-CIA-trained intelligence officer, US Army veteran, and former diplomat shares a spiritual-free version of mindfulness practices that anyone can apply at work and home. Smith first quiets the noise around the concept of mindfulness, then shares examples of practices you can try over an eight-week period. None of them requires any spiritual belief! The overview of why mindfulness is critical today cites various studies of how work gets the bulk of our attention, followed by phone apps and Netflix, asking us what quality time is realistically spent in our lives?

Smith covers the myths of multitasking and the downsides of distraction, like how a three-minute social media break will take an additional twenty-three minutes to get you back on task. Readers will also learn why the wandering mind doesn’t allow proper rest and can create unhappiness; plus how consequences of physical presence without mental presence can increase stress and anxiety, compound health issues, and reduce productivity. So what’s the answer? According to Smith, it is a balance of non-striving (less doing, less should's, and more being), acceptance, letting go, and focusing on gratitude and generosity as a start. The rest is about practice – formal and informal – and patience with yourself, especially learning mindfulness. He urges us to be kind with the stories we tell ourselves about trying new mindfulness experiences.

In Mindfulness Without the Bells and Beads, Clif Smith has brought his teaching to tens of thousands of corporate and government leaders as Ernst and Young’s Global Mindfulness Network Leader. Now you too can gain his valuable insights and perspectives. Each chapter summarizes key learning points and takes you step-by-step on a formal practice to try yourself, like starting simply with an Awareness of Breath meditation. Your informal practices come next and include everything from mindful eating and drinking to catching and releasing thoughts and keeping a gratitude journal. Daily mindfulness practices help you become more aware, happy, and healthy. If the spiritual side of mindfulness has been holding you back, Mindfulness Without the Bells and Beads is here to help you improve your work, relationships, and life, one breath at a time.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

When you decided to become a business owner, you probably imagined some of the risks you would face. However, have you ever wondered if you and your company could deal with a cyber attack or if you are safe from fraud and abuse? Have you ever wondered if your workplace offers protection against violence? All of these situations need your consideration, but if you do not have the time to reflect on them all (every business owner has limited time), I recommend that you read Ivy Walker's handy manual, Twelve-Minute Risk Management: Strategies and Tools Small Business Owners Need Right Now to Navigate Today's Business World. Written for small business owners who want the best for their business, this book will put you on the right path by analyzing risks and offering what you need most - solutions.

Twelve-Minute Risk Management will make many small business owners happy. Ivy Walker will open the eyes of those who read her book and make them understand what steps are required for the security of their business. In particular, I was fascinated by the chapter on cyber-attacks. I believe the author's warning that small companies are more at risk than large ones will make business owners grasp the importance of paying attention to this aspect. The chapter about workplace violence (and the considerations of domestic violence it implies) also offers valuable insights into how the employer should deal with employees. This is a book that small business owners will appreciate for its no-nonsense approach. I believe they will all benefit from reading it.