Blog Archives
Four Patterns of Healthy People
![Four Patterns of Healthy People: How to Grow Past Your Rooted Behaviors, Discover a Deeper Connection with Others, and Reach Your Full Potential in Life and Business by [Matt Norman]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vQP69v04L.jpg)
Four Patterns of Healthy People by Matt Norman gives a compact explanation of how to develop healthy thought patterns and live a better life. He emphasizes that in order to grow one has to develop healthy patterns when it comes to their thinking, relationships, ego and operations. He notes that issues such as anxiety, unhealthy attachments, ingratitude, and ego can hinder the process when you decide to grow. He includes exercises designed to help you question the unhealthy, self-limiting thoughts that might come up so that you can be very aware of what they are. He goes further to suggest ways to overcome the unhealthy habits by establishing patterns.
Author Matt Norman draws on the works of other thought leaders who have written about self-development in a thought-provoking book that is concise and easy to read. The exercises are also very simple and, if completed, can give real insight into issues you might not even realize could be a problem. After completing the self evaluations, you can decide whether or not to take the author’s advice on how to address the issues and challenges you may discover within yourself. The author also adds interesting personal anecdotes that make his suggestions a lot more accessible to the average reader. I was able to relate to his experiences and see that his advice works because they helped him in comparable and relatable situations.
If there is anything additional a reader might want, it is that the book could be more extensive. However, it allows the reader to do a lot more introspection rather than looking to the text for assurance or explanation of every single issue. Instead, the foundation issues are addressed which can serve as building blocks for a better life. Four Patterns of Healthy People is an enlightening personal development book that has the potential to change your life.
Pages: 112 | ASIN: B08JB4VHX2
NOT Too Tired To Care
![NOT Too Tired to Care: Learn Evidence-Based Mindfulness Practices to Support Well-Being, Improve Patient Care, and Address the Unique Challenges of These Times by [Angela Thomas Jones, Dr. Arthur Hengerer, Roger Carroll, Michael Meit, Frances Feltner, Megan Heffernan, Dr. Sally Garhart, Elizabeth Ropp, Diane Fontneau, Lara Cooley]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pc1uj3PQL.jpg)
The demands on public service workers are only increasing, and the pressure involved in all of these jobs is building by the day. Human Resource offices are inundated with contacts from employees who are on the verge of giving up–in more ways than one. How can we help them? What can be done to save them and their broken spirits?
Angela Thomas Jones’s book, Not Too Tired to Care, takes a close look at the growing concern surrounding burnout and how it affects workers across careers. Considering the intensive demands currently placed on our nation’s healthcare workers, Jones’s work is both timely and much-needed. It is not enough to say that we should do more to address the well-being and mental health of our essential workers–we should act on it. Jones delves into how burnout began to manifest itself among workers and offers a great many resources as well as strategies to combat this rising problem.
I found the pacing of Jones’s work to be refreshing. Not all nonfiction books are written in a format that makes for an easy read, but Jones takes care of her readers. She includes breaks in some of the heaviest parts and provides readers with the opportunity to note valuable resources throughout the reading. Jones leaves no stone unturned. From facts to reflection breaks to tips, she covers all the bases and creates a flow in the reading that is well-matched with the subject matter.
The personal stories peppered throughout the text draw readers into the book and give faces and names to the cold hard facts and figures supplied by the author. Jones’s work reads as much like a personal narrative as it does a self-help book. These touching and relatable scenarios give voices to the thousands of men and women suffering on a daily basis, heading for complete burnout. Jones has managed to explain the phenomenon known as “burnout” in a way which instantly draws empathy and coaxes a reaction from readers. Kindness is key, and Jones knows this. Making others aware of the plight of public service workers, especially in the time of Covid19, is a key first step in changing the course of their lives.
I am giving Angela Thomas Jones’s book, Not Too Tired to Care, 5 out of 5 stars. As a teacher and sister to a nurse, I can appreciate the work that has gone into this book. Jones has done her homework. From cover to cover, she provides readers with facts and strategies, all designed to improve the plight of our public service workers. I recommend Jones’s heartfelt work to anyone who works in or has loved ones in the medical field. Jones’s insight is truly invaluable.
Pages: 214 | ASIN: B08NY21F1W
Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-Performing Teams
![Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-Performing Teams by [Leo Bottary]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41m5EB1CHJL.jpg)
There is nothing like the willingness of a group to work together to become a single unit working toward a common goal. The importance of group work is ingrained in us from an early age–from elementary school reading groups to cohorts in high school and college. Purpose-driven peer groups yield more than just an outstanding product; they mold and shape members along the way.
Leo Bottary, author of Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-performing Teams, sets forth five factors common to all high-performing peer groups as well as the process of turning individuals into a finely-tuned team. From cover to cover, Bottary lays out a framework for readers highlighted by quotes, excerpts from movies, and real-life examples of teams and peer groups that hit the mark time and time again. I was especially impacted by the scenario Bottary presents on pg. 25. The image of a lone woman trying to applaud fiercely in a room full of her peers stands in stark contrast to what happens when there is a room full of members working together to fill the room with thunderous ovation. What could, otherwise, be a dry and boring topic to absorb becomes a fascinating read filled with tips readers can take away and put to immediate use.
As a teacher who has used peer groups in my classroom for over 20 years, I can see the value of Bottary’s concepts. Not only does the author make clear the importance of careful selection of group members, but he drives home the fact that dedication to purpose and attention to group members’ contributions are both high priorities.
Leo Bottary’s Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-performing Teams is a quick, engaging, and informative read that gives readers exactly what they are looking for without beating around the proverbial bush. Bottary emphasizes that one thing remains the same no matter the age of its members or the goal of the group: peer groups, when carefully selected and with all members invested, get the job done and done effectively.
Pages: 152 | ASIN: B08LPFPMTQ
Manufacturing Civility
![Manufacturing Civility: People Treatment as a Continuous Improvement Strategy by [Christian Masotti, Lewena Bayer]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XDiMz54nL.jpg)
Christian Masotti and Lewena Bayer are here to make your workplace better and to make Human Resources understand that being civilized at the workplace is the way to go. The authors have done extensive research and have come up with a list of reasons why people loathe their workplaces. Manufacturing Civility will open your eyes to how toxic some workplaces can be. The authors have highlighted and discussed in depth what makes the workplace toxic and how to improve on that. Another topic that is discussed is different workplace cultures and workplace incivility. They describe workplace incivility as low-intensity deviant workplace behavior with an ambiguous intent to harm. Are you allowed to have light moments in the workplace? Are titles and job descriptions so important? Are you happy as an employee? The authors will help you answer these and related questions as they help you understand the importance of being productive and engaging at work. In the book, the authors list down character, courage, change readiness, critical communications, competency, and consistency as the 6Cs. Each of these Cs is discussed in detail, with the authors giving real life scenarios and relatable examples for better comprehension of the context.
The topics in the book may seem basic until one reads, reflects, and gets to compare notes. When reading this book, you realize that people can be more productive if the human resource or management make working spaces a little friendlier than they are. The tone and language used in the book is friendly and encourages one to read more. The authors are also honest in their discussions. They talk of the good things that happen at the workplace and also expose the bad that some managers and human resource practitioners engage in.
Manufacturing Civility: People Treatment as a Continuous Improvement Strategy is an informative book that will open your eyes to some of the things that people endure in the workplace. You will realize that the toxicity at some workplaces is at an all-time high, and gets to be overlooked in workplace culture. The authors also had advice for employees who do not know what to do when put in this difficult position. I recommend this book to every reader who wants to learn about different workplaces and how to improve the workforce. This book is both for the subordinates and those in managerial positions.
Pages: 158 | ASIN: B08711N71J
Paper Safe: The triumph of bureaucracy in safety management
![Paper Safe: The triumph of bureaucracy in safety management by [Smith, Gregory]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41qFOgokVsL.jpg)
Gregory Smith starts the book by explaining the basics in health and safety industry. Reading through the pages, one gets to understand why the author had to write this book. In his book, Gregory Smith clearly explains the difference between trivial health and safety rules, and bureaucracy. On the former, he explains that rules may be trivial, but would have a link to their purpose more often than not. The rule acts as a handrail so you may not fall down the stairs. In essence, the rule and purpose are connected. On bureaucracy, the author noted that the challenge comes because it has lost its connection with purpose. Though both bureaucracy and trivial health and safety requirements are somehow attached, the author insists that doing away with trivial health and safety requirements in the workplace does not certainly make health and safety less bureaucratic; it may not automatically display a clearer image of health and safety.
The author‘s use of real-life examples when expounding on topics was a big plus. As a reader, I sometimes fail to immediately understand the terminologies used in the text. I fully get the concept when the author uses examples which I can relate to.
In my opinion, The Safety Paradox was the most interesting topic in the book. The author started off by explaining the two triumphing mindsets. I enjoyed reading about the “more is better” philosophy, that sometimes multi-day inductions are better than a short 20-minute summary of key points vis a vis the second mindset which suggests that things done in the name of health and safety will essentially produce good health and safety outcomes. The author gave his stand either at the end and or between all discussions. On this particular one, he opined that neither of the two propositions was right.
To say that Paper Safe: The triumph of bureaucracy in safety management is a spring of knowledge would be an understatement. This book has tons of information relating to safety management, that I believe people in related fields should keep it on their desks for everyday reference.
Apart from the amazing explanations in the book, one gets to be introduced to new words. The author’s vocabulary is vast. He has a great diction and he is talented when it comes to interpreting distinct terms. Each chapter is well written for the reader to grasp the content of the book. One learns a lot from the introduction to the final thoughts.
Reading Paper Safe: The triumph of bureaucracy in safety management will definitely expand your mind. Apart from the general information about safety management and reporting, workplace tools, bureaucracy, auditing, and accreditation, one feels like they are getting schooled as they read on.
Pages: 177 | ASIN: B07HVRZY8C
Promotion Protocol: Unlock the Secrets of Promotability & Career Success
![Promotion Protocol: Unlock the Secrets of Promotability & Career Success by [Nugent Ed.D., Kim]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/410HfdDoIvL._SY346_.jpg)
Often people work for years without ever being tapped for a promotion or some sort of appreciation for long service. This may prove very demotivating to the person. Others choose to stay in the positions because they feel that that is where they can do the most good. In this instance, the companies provide some sort of appreciation.
This book helps the reader unlock those promotions and appreciations. It helps the reader gain confidence and gain effective communication skills. By applying each one of the tips provided in Promotion Protocol, one can not only become an inspiring person to work with but also a beloved team leader. The tools are practical and simple enough to follow. Dr. Kim Nugent highlights the difference between training and coaching and how the latter is more advisable in an organizational setting. This book is a road map to a more cohesive, more productive, and more beneficial relationship between supervisor and employee.
Dr. Nugent talks about her experience in numerous positions. One particularly important point is the failure of supervisors to appreciate the uniqueness and freshness of the new generation. Their failure to involve the new generation in the administration aspects of the job so that there is a continuous supply of talent to pick from when the time comes for management positions to be refreshed. This is very important. It is something that both managers and employees can learn from. This is not the only instance of the author using her life experiences. These real life stories make for a great learning experience. One is able to learn lessons that stick. She does not window dress either. She lays out her mistakes too. Her ability to realize when she made a mistake is uncanny and inspiring.
The author gives little alphabetized nuggets. These nuggets work like a mnemonic device. It enhances the understanding of subject matter for the reader. This is not a book to merely skim through. It holds many important points that could be instrumental in the path to professional success. The alphabetical resource is absolutely wonderful.
The author has also written the book in a friendly tone. It is engaging. It is conversational. It is not condescending or intimidating. While most cannot reach Dr. Nugent and request mentoring, this book is written in such a way that one feels like they are drinking from the very faucet of advice.
The book is in need of at least one more brush over from an editor. There are several instances of misspelled words and awkward sentences. Otherwise, everything else is good. These little mistakes do not take away from the experience. They do not drop a chip off the gem.
Are you ready to succeed? Are you ready to get out of your own way? Are you ready to be the best that you can be? This book is for you. It will not lecture, it will coach. It will mentor. It will nurture.
Pages: 154 | ASIN: B07DDN1P2F
Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions
![Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions by [Graffius, Scott M.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51BP2RybPKL.jpg)
Proper project management is essential in a business. The many moving parts need to be well oiled for a smooth ride. One therefore needs to be able to adapt to unpredictable changes in business. The traditional methodology of project management is sequential and focuses on predicting issues and having set ways to deal with them. The other project methodology is agile, which is a flexible, collaborative, and incremental process.
This book is about an agile framework called scrum. The idea is to focus on making the team adaptive to change. The framework appreciates requirement volatility. This is the prevalence of customer wants and preferences to change. Scrum instills an understanding that changes cannot be fully understood or foreseen. Rather than try to predict and understand the changes, this framework prepares the team to appropriately deal with such changes.
Agile scrum is more widely used in Software development but the author does a good job of generalizing it. Making it the go to framework for every project manager regardless of industry. The book highlights the versatility of scrum beautifully.
The subject matter is a bit complex. However, Scott M. Graffius breaks it down into little chewable bits before delving deep into each, taking it apart grain by grain. This method is greatly useful as it makes a daunting ideology easy to take in and implement. With this book, one can expertly introduce scrum into their business environment and confidently tackle any hurdle. It outlines all the basics in simple language and prose. The book is also greatly useful for people who are already using scrum. It makes for an excellent reference material for those that are already scrum certified or are preparing to be.
Using visual aids in addition to text greatly enhances the material. It makes for a more interactive and engaging experience. It makes the process of understanding the subject matter smoother for everyone whether beginner or veteran. Agile Scrum: Your Quick Start Guide with Step by Step Instructions offers a myriad of supplemental resources. Materials that one can use in addition to the book to better understand and use the scrum framework. It walks one through every step from vision to team formation to creating the product narrative up to release.
Unlike other books on the market, this one offers an informal look at scrum without losing its practicality. The tone is conversational thus does not feel like a textbook, and provides numerous examples and insight into real world implementation of scrum. I would recommended this to anyone looking to change their project management framework or work out knots in their current system. Scott M. Graffius delivers an in depth understanding of the subject matter and instills the same in the reader.
Pages: 156 | ASIN: B01FZ0JIIY
Evolve like a Butterfly: A Metamorphic Approach to Leadership
Evolve Like A Butterfly – A Metamorphic Approach to Leadership by Mayur Ramgir covers a broad spectrum of areas relevant to the task of a leader. Supported by illustrations and quotes, advice is given on risk taking, adapting to change, accepting feedback and good communication. It also looks at the conditions in which innovation, incubation and prototyping can occur. Ramgir reveals the secrets to motivating others whilst continuing on a path of self-development, and shares tips on creating a legacy through leadership succession.
The book can be read cover to cover or dipped into as a reference guide for specific advice.
The author engages the reader with a warm and welcoming tone from the start. He then describes his mother’s own leadership journey and invites us to consider the definition of a leader before we move on to more complex considerations. It is a useful resource for anyone starting out in leadership or those wishing to transition to a more ethical approach.
The butterfly metaphor is used initially to good effect, although it is not evenly referenced throughout, it is revived at later points and thus not lost entirely.
Hidden in the book are useful nuggets of advice which may not be found in your average book on leadership in business from a mainstream perspective. Ramgir emphasizes the importance of remaining connected empathetically to the work force so that there is less chance that this bond is severed in times of change or difficulty. He also looks at what areas of self development might be needed for a good leader; and points out how important it is to learn from one’s own failures whilst forging an individual path.
The author suggests that ‘character’ is vital in order to lead an organisation or team through crises and adversity. However, he does not really flesh out what he means by the term which readers may understand in slightly different ways, in particular across cultural divides. Perhaps ‘tenacity’ or ‘staying power’ would be suitable descriptors of the qualities he intends to present.
Ramgir does not shy away from offering solutions to challenging issues such as the potential pitfalls of moving from being a member of a peer group to leading those peers; or managing the ups and downs of different points in the business cycle and consideration of the timing of risk taking.
While some sections seem to repeat themes such as communication and motivation, the additional detail reiterates the importance of these key skills in different contexts.
This is a useful reader for students and established leaders in business as well as those concerned with social good; it is relevant across the private, third and public sectors.
This book is an inspiring read and goes far in providing sound advice to current and emerging leaders. It is a recommended read for anyone passionate about safeguarding the future of the organisation and people with whom they work.
Pages: 250 | ISBN: 154428585X
LITERARY TITAN 