Staff Picks
BOOKS
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ARTICLES
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NEWSLETTERS
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TALKS
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TOOLS
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MOVIES
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Francine's picks
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
As coaches, we often say that "feedback is a gift." This book provides both a rationale and a methodology for providing appropriately challenging feedback in the context of an authentically caring relationship. Drawing on her experience as an employee, a manager, an executive and a trainer, Scott provides numerous examples with transferable lessons and straight-forward guidance and tools for implementing Radical Candor. For an introduction, see this YouTube video or the website.
Reframing Academic Leadership by Lee Bolman and Joan Gallos
Students of leadership may be familiar with Bolman and Deal's "Reframing Organizations" which provided four different perspectives from which organizations can be understood. In "Reframing Academic Leadership," Bolman and Gallos ably customize the earlier work to the unique characteristics of academia. I'd particularly recommend this for leaders moving from corporate environments to higher ed.
Difficult Conversation: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen
Stone, Patton and Heen have taken their work at the Harvard Project on Negotiation and presented insights and lessons on communications in a way that is engaging and immediately applicable. Personally, I find this book resonates with my approach to communications, and builds on the same influences from the field, more than any other book I’ve read.
The Department Chair Primer: What Chairs Need to Know and Do to Make a Difference by Don Chu
A good, basic primer for new academic leaders. Short and to the point with appropriate case studies.
Leadership Agility: Five Levels of Mastery for Anticipating and Initiating Change by Bill Joiner and Stephen Josephs
It was a revelation in graduate school to learn that adults move through developmental stages just like kids! This book does the best of any I know to identify what is most useful to those who wish to apply this work to their own leadership journey.
Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization by Robert Kegan, Lisa Laskow Lahey
Kegan and Lahey have created a process and a tool for getting us “unstuck” when it seems that making real change is impossible.
Chris's picks
Judith's pick
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Anthony Greenwald and & Mahzarin Banaji
A detailed yet easy-to-read description of the sources and effects of the hidden biases that all of us – even us “good people” -- have despite our best intentions and conscious beliefs. Research based on the Implicit Association Test. Includes sample tests.
Kande's picks
A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger
This engaging read explains and explores "question thinking," illustrating how it can open untapped creativity, problem-solving and potential in individuals and organizations.
Your Brain At Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long by David Rock
Through a set of characters living through a typical day at work, Rock illustrates the current findings in neuroscience and what they tell us about how the human brain operates optimally versus when under stress, perceived threat or low on energy. He offers helpful practices to improve focus, decision making, empathy and performance.
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
After many years of studying and teaching how to navigate difficult conversations with more grace, the authors recognized that often the challenge of feedback conversations is on the receiving end. This book offers a mental framework for characterizing all types of feedback from offhand comments to formal critique. It empowers the feedback receiver to ask for what she needs and take it all in with healthy curiosity.
Maritza's pick
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
As someone who identifies as an introvert who learned how to exist in an extroverted world and profession, I found this book both affirming and enlightening, as it validates both Introverts and extroverts, offering insight into how we can better understand each other to exist.
Pam's picks
Finding Your Way in a Wild New World: Reclaim Your True Nature to Create the Life You Want by Martha Beck
This delightful book shows you how to live a life that’s just right – full of magic, vitality, creativity.
In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing by Matthew E. May
I like the story of the Laweiplein, a complicated intersection in a Dutch city where traffic engineers boldly eliminated all signage … and it works! Sometimes too many directions just make things worse.
Getting to Yes with Yourself by William Ury
By the guy who wrote the book many of us know, Getting to Yes. This one is personal and, like the Martha Beck book, is concerned with living a deeply authentic life, even in the midst of complex demands.
Adam's pick
Beyond Reason: Using Emotions as You Negotiate by Roger Fisher and Daniel Shapiro
Getting To Yes was revolutionary for negotiation. Difficult Conversations answered the question, what about when people are the problem? From former colleagues Roger Fisher and Dan Shapiro, Beyond Reason adds a crucial addendum focusing on the emotional dynamics of negotiation. Whether you want to better understand the emotions connected to disagreements in relationship or you want to use the emotional dimension to get what you want, this book is a helpful resource.
John's picks
Your Body is Your Brain by Amanda Blake
There’s a gap between what we know and what we can do to turn that knowledge into action. Blake shows how to move from awareness to action by tapping into what we know, not just in the head, but in our whole selves. Practicing somatic abilities, leaders can see that gap more clearly and be better equipped to act on their best intentions even under stress.
Felicity by Mary Oliver
The poems written by this Pulitzer prize-winner later in life are full of the joy of sensation, relish in present moment, and freedom from struggle – something to aspire to. Many are so simple you’ll wonder, “Is this a poem?”
Living Beautifully by Pema Chodron
This short book is Chodron’s approach to recognizing, appreciating, and living into uncertainty and change. It is a warm introduction to traditional Buddhist teaching from a 21st century Western practitioner. Even if the Buddhism isn’t for you, uncertainty and change is what we experience and struggle with day by day.
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Kande's picks
"How Managers Become Leaders: The Seven Seismic Shifts of Perspective and Responsibility," by Michael D. Watkins
This article offers conventional corporate examples but still translates to higher education. It outlines several ways in which managers need to shift mindset and focus when transitioning from functional area expert to leader across multiple, diverse operations.
"Management Time: Who's Got the Monkey?" by William Oncken, Jr., and Donald L. Wass
While this 1999 article definitely feels dated in its portrayal of workplace roles and culture, its message for leaders is timeless: stop taking on everyone else's issues and instead develop the capacity for decision-making and problem-solving in others.
Maritza's picks
“Accelerate!,” by John P. Kotter
I like this article, as it summarizes what the book by the same name does in greater detail -- it outlines the two organizational operating systems (hierarchy and networks) Kotter believes need to be present in order to stay ahead of the competition and successfully navigate the rapid pace of change.
"What Makes a Leader,” by Daniel Goleman
Goleman reminds us that the qualities we admire most in highly successful leaders are often a departure from the common traits, such as quality decision-making or critical and analytical thinking. In the article, he defines leadership through the lens of emotional intelligence traits: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation and social skill.
John's picks
"Understanding Team Development Processes," by Alexander Caillet and Amy Yeager
Over the years, different approaches have been used to help teams grow and become more capable. In this approach, a team coach brings them together as the team does real work. This article is about how people like me do this work. It may help readers differentiate among approaches that sometimes look or feel similar.
"How Your State of Mind Affects Your Performance" by Alexander Caillet, Jeremy Hirshberg and Stefano Petti
The authors share research among executives who tracked their state of mind – thinking, emotion, feeling – and its effect on them. Two surprises: great excitement or strong positive emotion has a negative impact on performance; asking team members about state of mind can modulate the effect of highs and lows. Learn how the authors applied the research and use it with your team.
"How Managers Become Leaders: The Seven Seismic Shifts of Perspective and Responsibility," by Michael D. Watkins
This article offers conventional corporate examples but still translates to higher education. It outlines several ways in which managers need to shift mindset and focus when transitioning from functional area expert to leader across multiple, diverse operations.
"Management Time: Who's Got the Monkey?" by William Oncken, Jr., and Donald L. Wass
While this 1999 article definitely feels dated in its portrayal of workplace roles and culture, its message for leaders is timeless: stop taking on everyone else's issues and instead develop the capacity for decision-making and problem-solving in others.
Maritza's picks
“Accelerate!,” by John P. Kotter
I like this article, as it summarizes what the book by the same name does in greater detail -- it outlines the two organizational operating systems (hierarchy and networks) Kotter believes need to be present in order to stay ahead of the competition and successfully navigate the rapid pace of change.
"What Makes a Leader,” by Daniel Goleman
Goleman reminds us that the qualities we admire most in highly successful leaders are often a departure from the common traits, such as quality decision-making or critical and analytical thinking. In the article, he defines leadership through the lens of emotional intelligence traits: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation and social skill.
John's picks
"Understanding Team Development Processes," by Alexander Caillet and Amy Yeager
Over the years, different approaches have been used to help teams grow and become more capable. In this approach, a team coach brings them together as the team does real work. This article is about how people like me do this work. It may help readers differentiate among approaches that sometimes look or feel similar.
"How Your State of Mind Affects Your Performance" by Alexander Caillet, Jeremy Hirshberg and Stefano Petti
The authors share research among executives who tracked their state of mind – thinking, emotion, feeling – and its effect on them. Two surprises: great excitement or strong positive emotion has a negative impact on performance; asking team members about state of mind can modulate the effect of highs and lows. Learn how the authors applied the research and use it with your team.
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Francine's picks
“Tomorrow’s Professor e-newsletter”
A weekly essay or book review on topics relevant to faculty and those who work with them.
“Inside Higher Ed”
A daily news bulletin of topics of interest to those in higher ed, with links to longer articles and related resources.
“Tomorrow’s Professor e-newsletter”
A weekly essay or book review on topics relevant to faculty and those who work with them.
“Inside Higher Ed”
A daily news bulletin of topics of interest to those in higher ed, with links to longer articles and related resources.
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Kande's picks
Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability
This researcher shares how her work led her to understand her own humanity and fear of vulnerability. She shows us how ultimately human connection and a sense of self-worth stem from our willingness to reveal ourselves to others.
Celeste Headlee: 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation
Most of us don't converse very well and yet our jobs depend on it. This radio host shares what she's learned over the years about listening, being curious and staying present with others.
Maritza's picks
Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are
Scientific research and analysis is used to explain how our body language shapes who we are and how we are perceived by others. Cuddy’s analysis defines the associations we and others make between the body postures we adopt and how these non-verbal expressions can affect our beliefs about positions of power (real and perceived) as well as our overall job performance.
Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts
Much like the book, Cain explains how introverts respond differently to social stimulation than extroverts, and its importance in maximizing their value and talents. She shares a personal story to highlight that introverts are most ‘alive’ when their environments are quieter, more low-key, and how important it is for us all to be in a zone of stimulation that is right for us.
Adam's pick
Atul Gawande: Want to get great at something? Get a coach.
"It's not how good you are now; it's how good you're going to be that really matters," - Atul Gawande.
Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability
This researcher shares how her work led her to understand her own humanity and fear of vulnerability. She shows us how ultimately human connection and a sense of self-worth stem from our willingness to reveal ourselves to others.
Celeste Headlee: 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation
Most of us don't converse very well and yet our jobs depend on it. This radio host shares what she's learned over the years about listening, being curious and staying present with others.
Maritza's picks
Amy Cuddy: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are
Scientific research and analysis is used to explain how our body language shapes who we are and how we are perceived by others. Cuddy’s analysis defines the associations we and others make between the body postures we adopt and how these non-verbal expressions can affect our beliefs about positions of power (real and perceived) as well as our overall job performance.
Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts
Much like the book, Cain explains how introverts respond differently to social stimulation than extroverts, and its importance in maximizing their value and talents. She shares a personal story to highlight that introverts are most ‘alive’ when their environments are quieter, more low-key, and how important it is for us all to be in a zone of stimulation that is right for us.
Adam's pick
Atul Gawande: Want to get great at something? Get a coach.
"It's not how good you are now; it's how good you're going to be that really matters," - Atul Gawande.
TOOLS
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Adam's pick
Ladder of Inference
From the brilliant Chris Argyrus and Peter Senge, The Ladder Of Inference explains how we come to believe in our reality and why we can experience the same event as someone else yet come away with a completely different understanding of what happened. Understanding how we and others reach conclusions and communicating about that process can help disentangle disagreement and overcome barriers to working well together.
Ladder of Inference
From the brilliant Chris Argyrus and Peter Senge, The Ladder Of Inference explains how we come to believe in our reality and why we can experience the same event as someone else yet come away with a completely different understanding of what happened. Understanding how we and others reach conclusions and communicating about that process can help disentangle disagreement and overcome barriers to working well together.
MOVIES
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Pam's pick
Groundhog's Day
Over-and-over until we get it right! Very Buddhist.
Chris's pick
Brené Brown: The Call to Courage
This documentary film depicts Brené Brown as she discusses what it takes to choose courage over comfort in today's culture and how bravery can arise from engaging with our deepest vulnerabilities. This documentary continues exploring this topic on which Brown has published multiple TED Talks and books around.
Groundhog's Day
Over-and-over until we get it right! Very Buddhist.
Chris's pick
Brené Brown: The Call to Courage
This documentary film depicts Brené Brown as she discusses what it takes to choose courage over comfort in today's culture and how bravery can arise from engaging with our deepest vulnerabilities. This documentary continues exploring this topic on which Brown has published multiple TED Talks and books around.
