Kit Prendergast, pcc
Kit brings you a wealth of experience and expertise as well as a wonderful spirit, tremendous energy, and a gift for inspiring others to create the life they truly want to have.First Monday Newsletter
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Build Your Own Brand
Build Your Own Brand, by Doug Dvorak, 2010.
The wonderful cartoon on this brand new book caught my eye! Dvorak writes in a simple “cut to the chase” style that captures the essence of building, designing and then maintaining a brand for you as a professional.
He takes us through the steps on building your personal brand and then how to maximize the Internet and social media to promote your brand. Dvorak even has an excellent chapter on promoting your brand during tough economic times – very timely. But my personal favorite is how to add humor to your brand.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff at Work
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff at Work: Simple Ways to Minimize Stress and Conflict While Bringing Out the Best in Yourself and Others, by Richard Carlson, Ph.D., 1998.
Many of us have read this book because it is truly one of the best books on stress management ever! It’s been around for years along with Richard Carlson’s first book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff . . . And It’s All Small Stuff.
Both books deliver a wealth of simple, practical and “easy to do” tips on how to reduce stress and conflict in our lives every single day. Carlson is a master at teaching us how to reframe our thoughts, our perceptions and our behavior to achieve a more harmonious and healthy life style. Pick it up again for the new year – and a few copies for friends as well!
That Used to Be Us
That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back, 2011, Thomas Friedman & Michael Mandelbaum.
This brand new book was recommended to me by a coaching colleague, Priscilla Binder. As our year winds down, I’ve been reading more of these books that address our country’s economic situation -because of the ripple effect on people’s lives and careers.
Friedman’s book is probably the best I’ve read. It’s not a quick read because there is so much there – it is filled with powerful insights backed up with a wealth of research and statistics – but you will walk away thinking and possibly shifting some of your own career plans for 2012.
Accelerating Out of the Great Recession
Accelerating Out of the Great Recession: How to Win in a Slow-Growth Economy, 2010, by David Rhodes and Daniel Stelter, The Boston Consulting Group
This is an excellent book for all of us that want to understand what has happened in our global economy and what we, as small business owners, can do to ensure that our businesses grow in the new year.
It’s not a quick read but rather one that requires your full attention. I enjoyed the historical perspective, particularly learning why certain companies thrived in the Great Depression. The authors go on to provide a clear assessment of what our new economic realities are and what this means for business overall.
There is a great section on “Leadership During a Crisis” with six very practical, concrete actions leaders, managers, business owners etc. should take each day during this turbulent time to ensure that the company and the employees are thriving in our new work world.
The Introvert Advantage
The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World, by Marti Olsen-Laney, Psy.D. 2002.
This is a great book! Olsen-Laney is an introvert herself and she writes this book to help other introverts understand and appreciate themselves – the gifts and talents they bring everyday to their work places, their families and their communities.
I especially liked her chapter on introverts at work which is filled with concrete, practical tips on how to excel at work without changing who you are – a proud Introvert! And the flip side of each tip are excellent suggestions for the managers and leaders in an organization who want to know their introverts a bit better.