CONTAGIOUS
CULTURE: SHOW
UP, SET THE TONE
& INTENTIONALLY
CREATE AN
ORGANIZATION THAT
THRIVES
Anese Cavanaugh
McGraw Hill, 2016
Leaders are under more pressure
than ever to be approachable,
innovative, compassionate and
effective. Leading based on titles,
skills, competencies and
even emotional intelligence
are gone. Leaders must find
new ways to mobilize staff to
reach organizational goals.
Successful leaders, according
to Cavanaugh, stay connected
to their purpose and stay
present when it counts. The
leader is the contagion, creating
culture every day with
their intentions. Cavanaugh
offers a provocative and pragmatic
process for leaders at all
levels to revitalize or reinvent
their leadership capabilities.
reviews
By Alyson Nyiri, CHRL
RISING STRONG:
THE RECKONING,
THE RUMBLE, THE
REVOLUTION
Brene Brown
Penguin Random House, 2015
As a researcher and storyteller,
Brown weaves data and story
into the complexities and nuances
of human experience of
failing, where judgement and
shame often accompany failure.
The book takes a careful
and compassionate look at
the anatomy of failure and its
impact. While failing is painful,
without it, there would be
no innovation, learning or creativity.
With examples from
individuals, institutions, organizations
and cultures, Brown
demonstrates what it takes to
rise from failure.
Talking point
Moving through failure requires
the same work for
organizations as it does for
individuals. Both must move
through the desperation,
shame and panic before reaching
the bravery necessary
to learn and grow from the
experience.
BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE
LIVING BEYOND FEAR
Elizabeth Gilbert
Riverhead Books, 2015
Creativity is enjoying a renaissance
in the world of business.
For some, creativity has no
place in workplace: it’s seen as
disruptive and naïve. For many
others, though, it holds the key
to forging new ways of operating
and leading. The lines
between creative work and
working creatively are continuously
collapsing, offering hope
and inspiration for both workers
and workplaces. Gilbert’s
lively and inspiring book delves
deeply into creativity. “When
people try to kill off their fear,
they often end up inadvertently
murdering their creativity in
the process.”
Talking point
Whereas most career advice
directs us to follow our
passion, Gilbert argues it is
better to follow our curiosity.
Learning how to uncover
and nurture those moments of
curiosity can help us find moments
of engagement at work.
BE BAD FIRST: GET
GOOD AT THE THINGS
FAST TO STAY READY
FOR THE FUTURE
Erika Anderson
Bibliomotion Inc., 2016
New research confirms our
ability to learn throughout our
lives. We know that our brains
are capable of continuous
learning and we are intrinsically
motivated toward mastery.
What causes the most trouble
is our resistance to not being
good at things. Coaching
employees, at an executive or
entry level, requires skill and
understanding of what motivates
others to learn and adopt
new behaviours. Though considerable
literature exists,
Anderson offers an immediately
accessible and useable
model to help individuals “get
good” at the skills a new or existing
role demands
Talking point
Curiosity is emerging in many
recent books. Curiosity is a
gentler master than passion or
drive. It asks us to cast our eyes
toward something, to consider
it, to try it on. This shift is a
welcome change and pairs well
with collaboration. n
Talking point
While paying attention to
numbers and the bottom line,
measurement and reward
systems also reward a mindset
of collaboration and helping
each other do well.
WANT A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK? READ EXTENDED BOOK REVIEWS ON WWW.HRPATODAY.CA.
HRPATODAY.CA ❚ FEBRUARY 2016 ❚ 71