“…a mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone. That’s why I read so much, Jon Snow.” – Tyrion Lannister
Reading is a gateway to wisdom. Harry Truman was quoted as saying, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
Whether you’re leading a multiunit HR team, or leading an HR department of one, reading is a must for every HR professional. Without reading and thinking, the mind – much like the body without exercise – becomes withered and useless. I encourage everyone seeking to be a leader, or a better version of themselves (often the two are not mutually exclusive), that reading opens the pathway to many abilities some consider to be marketable!
But HR professionals should not stick to HR books only. We can find wisdom, encouragement, solutions, and so much more in books that expand beyond our normal horizonal interests. Be open to different sources. Challenge yourself and grow.
So, in that spirit, I wanted to share my top five favorite reads of 2023! Not all of these books came out in 2023, but I read them for the first time in 2023. They challenged me, inspired me, made me think completely differently. These are not the only books I read in this year, but they’re the ones that have left a huge mark.
I hope you give these a chance and add them to your 2024 list!
Manifesto for a Moral Revolution: Practices to build a Better World by Jacqueline Novogratz
This past year I’ve spent a considerable amount of time considering morality and what is just and right. It sounds easy to define until one must define it. Manifesto for a Moral Revolution is a great read for those working in the nonprofit or for-profit spaces. It tells the story of how Jacqueline Novogratz built her nonprofit success to address real change in a moral and just way.
Key passage: “ ’Everyone does it’ cannot be society’s or any organization’s standard for decision making. But doing the right thing can be soul crushing and frustratingly lonely when peers or colleagues would rather you ‘won’ according to the rules of the status quo.” (pg. 135)
Why We’re Polarized by Ezra Klein
To say that the world is divided may seem basic. We need to be more unified, the saying goes. Well, at one time in US history, pundits said that America needed more polarization! Imagine that being said today! Erza Klein wanted to know more about American polarization, and he does what good journalists do – investigate the reasons behind why things are they way they are. He presents some interesting data to show how the American fringes have become more influential on both sides of the isle over the past four decades leading to what pundits at one time wanted – a more polarized America.
Key passage: “I get asked often whether I’m optimistic of pessimistic about American politics. I think I’m an optimist, but that’s because I try to hold to realism about our past. For all our problems, we have been a worse and uglier country at almost every other point in our history.” (pg. 276)
Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond
I work in the Community Action space, which is a unique nonprofit designation dedicated to the eradication of poverty. This is a special arena not for the weak of heart. It’s tough, grueling work – taking on America’s prevalent poverty. And for all our hard work, it seems to never end, which is why Matthew Desmond’s book spoke to me. America could end poverty if we truly wanted to. The US spends more on military than every other developed nation – combined! Yet, we have the more poverty per capita than all other developed nations. Poverty is instability and crushing, yet America has a long way to go unfortunately if we are to become “poverty abolitionists.” Oh, an if you’re wondering how HR can be an abolitionist in this fight, I have some thoughts here.
Key passage: “…poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere.” (pg. 181)
Be Useful: Sevel Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger
I’ve written before that Arnold Schwarzenegger is a personal hero of mine. His life is rather unlikely if you think about it… said here rather humorously by Bill Burr – warning NSFW! This is why I was thrilled to get his book, Be Useful, which is advice his father gave him when he was young and poor in rural Austria. The advice he gives in the book is not revolutionary – dream big, listen more than you talk, give back – but it is simple, timeless, and works! Also, interesting piece of Jeopardy trivia, Sargent Shriver, Arnold’s father-in-law, was the first director of the Federal government Office of Economic Opportunity, which oversaw the Community Action movement of which I am a part. Just interesting to me!
Key passage: Commenting on when people called him a “self-made man”…
“I knew it was a compliment, but I still thought, What were these people talking about? What about my parents? They literally made me. What about Joe Weider? He brought me to America and made my earliest dreams a reality. What about Steve Reeves and Reg Park? They made I possible for me to dream about going form bodybuilding to movies in a realistic way. What about John Milius? He made me Conan the Barbarian.” (pg. 229)
The 48 laws of Power by Robert Greene
This was the hardest book I’ve ever read. Not because it’s a difficult read. It’s written very simply and well. It was difficult to read because the theme is one that I don’t want to believe. That power is “civilized war.” Advice like “never outshine the master,” “when asking for help, appeal to people’s self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitude,” “pose as a friend, work as a spy,” and “crush your enemies totally” are so foreign to my own nature of kindness, justice, and transparency. This advice is Machiavellian, and it has been used by liars, con artists, and dictators. But I am happy I read it for Robert Greene taught me an important lesson. You cannot work in the world you want. You have to work in the world that is. These tactics have been used by many people to take advantage of others, and having learned them will give me the opportunity to unmask them when they are potentially (or inevitably) used against me. Greene helped peal back some of my natural naivete, and I am thankful for the lesson. And, not all the advice is so harsh and underhanded. Some advice is excellent for advancing goodness in the world like “recreate yourself,” “enter action with boldness,” “master the art of timing, ” and “assume formlessness.”
Key passage: “To be a master player you must also be a master psychologist. You must recognize motivations and see through the cloud of dust with which people surround their actions.” (pg. xxii)
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Hopefully, you’ve found one or two or five books you wish to add to your reading list. If so, happy reading! Never stop growing your mind. This is done by continually sharpening it against the whetstone of words, thoughts, and ideas.
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