It won’t surprise you to learn that I LOVE to recommend a book or two. It happens quite naturally in many of my conversations. When I’m working with clients, once I establish they also like to read, the recommendations come thick and fast, often based on the topics we are coaching around.
If you’re new to the blog, every month I publish a review of a book that’s great for personal development. They are drawn from a range of sectors, but all are non-fiction. Some, whilst I review, I don’t recommend – I will still share the overview, but it will be clear from my approach what I think of them. However, I try as much as possible to pull together still a few lessons learned, what I call “Clara Cliff Notes”
So, when this month’s Ask Me Anything question came through, I knew I had some great titles to share. Now, you may assume that I will be sharing lots of books that have confidence somewhere in the title. The reality is, looking through my previous reviews, I haven’t read any! However, what I do lean towards, and encourage my clients to, is titles that promote the best version of who we are. To get comfortable with how our brain and nervous system work, our definition of confidence is, and work with that. The following titles, I feel, do that and more!
If you are committed to making positive change in your life and want to understand why the tools and techniques coaches like me offer, then this is the book for you. It does an excellent job of empowering people to take science-based actions, in ways that feel possible, and sustainable, without ignoring the real pressures that exist in the world.
As we are reminded throughout the book “Remember, neurons that fire together, wire together.” So, what one thing will you do differently today?
The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking by Susan Cain
So, what does “Quiet” mean when it discusses introversion and extroversion? Cain shares that Introverts are characterised by a preference for less stimulating environments, needing solitude to recharge, and often being more reflective. Extroverts thrive on social interaction and external stimulation. Whilst the definitions of introversion and extroversion continue to be debated and researched, this way of presentation makes the concepts easy to understand and identify with throughout. The book itself is packed to the brim with a range of interesting psychological theories, research, reflection, historical context and social commentary, delving into areas including education, work and relationships.
It’s not often that I finish something as fundamentally impactful as “Quiet”. For anyone who has ever spent any time with me, you will probably describe me as an extrovert. Before I read this book, I would have agreed! Now, on reflection, I wonder how much of that has been influenced by the world I grew up in and the messages the systems around me have sent me. I also think I have been complicit, especially in my work in recruitment and as a manager, in continuing the concept of the “Extrovert Ideal’. My work as a coach has helped me rally against these expectations, and this book is a perfect complement to challenging these stereotypes.
There is a positive shift in conversations about the complexities of the human brain. I’m so glad to see this across all areas, including the importance of being neuro-inclusive in the workplace. There are regular awareness weeks, where people within the community who have lived experiences are challenging the status quo and assumptions and sharing insight and tools and techniques that work! One of these is Ellie Middleton following an adult diagnosis of autism and ADHD (often referred to as AuDHD) created the “(un)masked community and published their book “Unmasked: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence”* in October 2023.
No Hard Feeling by Liz Fosslien & Mollie West Duffy
Covering key topics including Health, Decision Making, Teams, Culture and Motivation, this book seems to be pitched more are those in a leadership position. So, it may assume that it’s only for Managers. I would argue that this is suited for anyone that wants to understand how they can influence the culture of a team or organisation they work within. It helps you take a step back and consider how your emotional tendencies, combined with those of your colleagues, can make or break a team dynamic. They add some extra resources at the end of the book to help you unpick an insight into your emotional tendencies in areas including psychological safety and your sense of belonging. If you want to go into this further, I highly recommend you have a look at the authors’ website.
Peak: How we all of us can achieve extraordinary things by A.Ericsson & Robert Pool
This is something that has already been presented to us as part of “book club”, most recently with Grit. However, Peak takes it to another level. As the book “blub” tells us “You don’t have to be a genius to achieve extraordinary things”. Based on over three decades of research, Ericsson (a professor and world-renowned expert on expertise) and Pool (a science writer) have pulled together an accessible and practical book to show you not only why you don’t have to be innately “talented” but how YOU can achieve extraordinary things.
I hope that these titles can give you what you need. I’d love to know what you would recommend. Feel free to come over to Creating Careers to Enjoy to share your top tips and find out the next title. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBalanceCollectivewithClaraWilcox
P.S You may not necessarily see the following titles and think “confidence”, but “The gifts of imperfection”, Joy at work, The comparison cure and How to fail, have some great lessons, which I shared in this article.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
