Good Leaders: How are you shaping yourself today?

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

“We become the sum-total of the people we hang out with and the books we read,” counseled Tim Schmidt, my co-author of the What Really Works book. Tim and his son Jonathan were the speakers at the Good Leadership Breakfast on August 15 – we were so pleased to share the stage together again and re-ignite the “Blending the Seven Fs” conversation. We were simply stating the obvious: good books sharpen our point of view on goodness.

With a special one-time offer, we raised a little money for Feed My Starving Children, by bundling 5 What Really Works books together with a hand-thrown pottery bowl by Tim’s son, Jonathan. It felt good to give!

Recommended reading

At that same meeting, one of our guests asked me to re-publish my 2014 recommended Summer Reading list. So, in the spirit of shaping your point of view around goodness, here’s the list in chronological order as recommended in this blog beginning with the day after Memorial Day:

Good Leadership Today e-book  by Paul Batz: my first eBook is a summary of the Good Leadership point of view, featuring 32 of my most popular blogs.

The Intelligent Optimist Magazine: my favorite printed magazine – I read it cover to cover to deepen my insights about “what’s possible” if we work together with good intentions.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

A Peace of My Mind by John Noltner. The “coffee-table” style book is packed with inspiring insight from a wide variety of people – all with the focus on encouraging a more peaceful world.

Oh the Places You’ll Go  by Dr. Seuss: this is my favorite children’s book – it’s a cliche’ but I gave this book to my daughter, Anna Batz, upon graduating from high school this past June.

Norman Views blog  by Matt Norman: this bi-weekly blog is deep and wise, from the perspective of a young, energetic, visionary leader.

Younger Next Year  by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge M.D: this is the definitive book that proves we can add energy to our lives and decrease the chances of a premature passing by making exercise our #1 job.  Good advice, albeit difficult to swallow.

Life Reimagined by Richard Leider and Alan Webber: A great read to help you find inspiration as you explore the purpose in your daily endeavors.

Where Nobody Knows Your Name by John Feinstein: real-life drama played out in the lives of professional baseball players who are just one-step away from making it big time in the major leagues.

What Really Works, Blending the Seven Fs to Live with Less Stress and Lead with Less Fear by Paul Batz and Tim Schmidt: this is the third printing of the signature book, now in paper back and featuring the Seven Fs Wheel.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

True North by Bill George: an inspiring book for personal exploration where “true north” is a metaphor for where your inner compass is pointed – follow the advice in the book and create your personal mission statement.

The Dip by Seth Godin: this charming little book is exceptionally valuable when the challenges in your life chip away at your confidence.

Comrades by Steven Ambrose: an ode to the special relationships men form as fathers, brothers and pals.

Thrive by Arianna Huffington: a dramatic, stress-induced, sleep-deprived health crisis led to the author’s commitment to living a life of well-being, wisdom and wonder. A fitting wrap-up to this summer’s recommended reading.

Good leaders make a habit of shaping their lives with good friends and good books. And they pass along the titles that inspire goodness.

What are you reading today, that would be good for me to read?

 [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]