Summer Reading (Part One)
One of my favorite things to do is go to Half Price Books in Castleton and find a good book from the “staff picks” section. Then I usually find 3 books, 2 CDs, and an LP and wonder where all my money went (that’s why I’m paying close attention to our current message series at Grace). Anyway, you may not know this, but the staff members on the Outreach and Leadership Development team are voracious readers. I asked members of our team what they’re reading. They’re reading so much, I will have to split this into two posts today. Here is part one of our staff picks:
Dana Huckstep: Soul Searching, by Mindy Caliguire
This little gem of a book will take you through “the process of maintaining or recovering the life and health of your soul, that essential personhood created by God as you.”
Mindy walks you through a series of four experiences. Designed with those who journal in mind, you can dive in to each experience from that perspective or use the parts as daily readings. A fifth section can be used as a discussion starter with you and a friend or as part of a small group study.
Whatever your approach, Mindy’s biblical insights in to the search for and refreshment of your soul are well worth the work of self-examination and the opportunity to let the Holy Spirit act as your guide.
Kathleen Bloxsome: A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age, by Daniel Pink
Each summer, I make a list of books that I want to read. Some are leadership books and others are just for fun. This summer I began with a leadership book, A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age by Daniel H. Pink. As I read through each chapter it was fascinating to learn about the functions of the brain, the new job economy for left and right brainers, the three forces that are changing the future and the six key right brain skills/abilities that will help us thrive in the “new economy” of the conceptual age. Whether you are a business leader, a life coach, a non-profit leader, a student, a lifelong learner, or simply considering a career change this book will guide you through the movement of the information age to the conceptual age. It’s a great read that I hope makes it to the top of your summer reading list. By the way, if you liked it and want more of Daniel H. Pink, then plan to attend the 2010 Willow Creek Leadership Summit as he will be one of the featured speakers.
Curtis Honeycutt: Jack: Straight from the Gut, by Jack Welch
One day I heard a short version of Jack Welch’s leadership story. He started working at GE in his twenties and ended up being one of the most successful and impactful CEOs of the twentieth century. What really engaged me about this book was the ongoing theme of creating, challenging, and changing culture in an organization. Welch was a wizard when it came to casting vision and carrying it out in order to take GE to the next level in areas like product quality, competition, and globalization. It is a huge task to change the methods of a large organization, and in this book you get a behind-the-scenes look at how it all happened. Jack: Straight from the Gut is for anyone with an ounce of leadership…and if you’re reading this, that means you. Welch is also one of the faculty for this year’s Leadership Summit. Don’t miss it!
Later today we’ll share the rest of our staff picks. What are some good books you’ve been reading lately? Leave us a comment and let us know.
