Last week an exclusive group of executives and consultants gathered at EXcelerating HR to discuss next level topics, such as Big Ideas, Coaching and Leadership Development, Staying Relevant During Economic Downturns, The Future of Work and HR, Innovation and Digital Disruption, Design Thinking, Growth, and Innovation, and Women Leaders in the Workplace. Recommendations for books inevitably emerged through our discussion. Some were ahead of their times and more revealing than ever today. Others are newer entrants shaping our path forward. Everyone inside and outside that large hall could benefit from all this thought leadership--leaders most of all. Here is the running list (so far) below, in alphabetical order:

An Everyone Culture: Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organization
Black Holes and White Spaces: Reimagining the Future of Work & HR
​Bullseye! Hitting Your Strategic Targets Through High-Impact Measurement
Culture  Your Culture:  Innovating Experiences @ Work (my book!)
Evolve Yourself: Conscious Personal Evolution
​Focus: Creating Career + Brand Clarity
​Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change
​Principles: Life and Work
Safe Enough to Soar: Accelerating Trust, Inclusion, and Collaboration in the Workplace
​Self as Coach, Self as Leader
​The Art of the Long View: Planning for the Future in an Uncertain World
​The Character of a Corporation: How Your Company's Culture Can Make or Break
The Dip: A Little Book that Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace
The Lessons of Experience: How Successful Executives Develop on the Job
​The Whole Brain Business Book : Unlocking the Power of Whole Brain Thinking
​Three: The Human Resources Emerging Executive
​Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And How to Fix It)

Since it's likely I inadvertently left some out, I will continue to add to this list as I hear from colleagues. 

*Please note the links above are affiliate links*

As I said, it's been busy. Check out the just released newsletter below as a summary of the last few months. If you like what you see, subscribe!

As you can see, it's been busy! I'm pleased to share 3 podcasts that launched over the spring and summer season, all in the Customer Experience (CX) space. It's been a joy to be embraced by this community, starting with Adrian Swinscoe and Ricardo Saltz Gulko of eglobalis. You'll find that each of these, like my other podcast interviews, are all very different from one another. Enjoy by clicking each of the images above and let me know what you think! 

It was a privilege to be a guest on Carolyn Kiel's Beyond 6 Seconds podcast recently, and not just because it was a personal milestone (my 20th podcast!).  Experience showed me how truly different every conversation can be, even if the premise is to talk about about my favorite topic of company culture. Between her wonderful radio voice, curious mind, engaging questions and our easy rapport with one another, we talked well beyond our scheduled time. We covered so much territory that it necessitated a second bonus episode about Culture Your Culture's journey to publication. My hope is that our fun translates to your enjoyment as listeners. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

I've always had a variety of people in my professional and social circles--it reflects my own diverse interests and experiences. Everyone is spread out geographically, but it would be one heck of a party if I had them all in one place to watch all the worlds colliding.  

That being said, every once in a while I am reminded of the limitations within my network, which in turn speaks to the challenges of  business norms in general.  When I asked on occasion whether I know someone that fits x, y, z, conditions, I usually have at least some tangential connection. Recently however, I could not find enough executive women of color in my circles for a special invitation-only gathering. I lamented this to a colleague and friend (also an executive woman of color now consultant), who said, "there aren't any." She really meant "there's not enough." So true, so true. There's much work to be done, but thankfully some organizations are trying. People need to know, and be motivated to do the same. 

This is why it was so wonderful to add my $.02 on this article in Fast Company, "These Companies are Making Sure More Women Get Promoted to Management," which showcases what's being done and provides for some starting points. I highly recommend you read the whole article and share it broadly. Here's a preview:

If you aren't familiar with MindTools, it is "one of the world’s most popular digital, on-demand career and management learning solutions, helping more than 24 million people each year." I have been a distant admirer for years (they've been online since 1996!) and recently had the opportunity to talk with them about Culture Your Culture and Design of Work Experience, which resulted in a great article and podcast. The latter resides in their members-only area, but thanks to their generosity you can listen right here.  

As you know, I joined the Consortium 4 Change (C4C) of the Business InSITE Group (BiG), an invitation-only network of thought leaders partnering together. That gives me access (and therefore you) to even more leadership development opportunities. Earlier this month I told you about inFRONT Leaders taking place April 16-18, 2019 in Manhattan Beach, California. The program is designed for any operating leader who can benefit from better understanding the future of work, unleashing their leadership potential and developing their own and their team’s innovative spirit. 
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I'm pleased to also share with you the BiG Coaching Differentiator, a whole network of expert coaches for your organizational needs. I shared my perspective on coaching programs previously in my post, "First Things First: Fundamentals for an Executive Coaching Program." Find out  10 compelling ways BiG brings significant value to coaching relationships and let me know if you are interested in either of these programs.

Culture Your Culture appeared on Small Biz Daily's Business Books for the Holidays List! I always felt the red on my book's cover was festive. 

Makes for a great Christmas gift or birthday, or anytime gift for that matter! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season. I'll see you in the New Year!