“…a mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone. That’s why I read so much, Jon Snow.” – Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones
Reading is a gateway to wisdom. Harry Truman was quoted as saying, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
Is this limited to books? NO! Read articles, journal entries, news pieces, or a blog from someone you trust and find value in.
This quote, however, is captive of Truman’s era. There was no such thing as audio books, no such thing as podcasts, no such thing as the digital era! “Reading” doesn’t have to be visual in a modern era. Truman was challenging us to consume wisdom. However you do that, make deliberate haste!
HR leaders should hold themselves to no different standard. If we are not challenging our brain, the synopses wither and crumble. What good is this?
Whether you’re leading a multiunit HR team, or leading an HR department of one, consuming wisdom 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!
Challenge yourself and grow. How did I challenge myself this year? By reading A LOT! Here are the books that impacted me the most in 2024. (Note, not all of them were published in 2024).
The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
HR professionals deal with one of the most complex aspects of any organization: People. Robert Greene’s The Laws of Human Nature is a comprehensive exploration of why humans behave the way they do, making it an invaluable resource for anyone in HR. By blending psychology, history, and philosophy, The Laws of Human Nature offers a unique perspective on what makes people tick. For HR professionals striving to build better teams, resolve conflicts, and lead organizational culture, it’s both a practical guide and a thought-provoking read.
Key Passage:
“People are rarely what they seem. They wear masks that suit the circumstances, concealing their true feelings and intentions. … Learning to read people requires looking beyond their words and actions to discern their deeper motives and vulnerabilities. This requires observation, patience, and detachment.”
Soul Boom by Rainn Wilson
Rainn Wilson’s Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution explores the intersection of personal growth, societal transformation, and spiritual renewal in a way that is deeply relevant to HR professionals. The book is presented in a way that is inclusive and overarching. While Wilson makes no bones about his Baháʼí Faith, he is not preachy, or trying to win converts. He simply wants people to find their greater connectivity to humanity through human centric leadership, addressing disconnection and burnout, and reimagining our purpose as humans. By blending humor, spirituality, and a call to action for a more connected world, Soul Boom provides HR professionals with a fresh perspective on their role as change agents, not just within organizations but in society at large. It’s an invitation to rethink how we engage with work, purpose, and humanity.
Key Passage:
“The world needs more than just incremental fixes—we need a transformation of how we see ourselves and each other. A spiritual revolution doesn’t mean religion or dogma; it means rediscovering the values that make us human: kindness, compassion, and a commitment to the greater good.”
The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
The Courage to Be Disliked is a transformative book that explores the principles of Adlerian psychology, focusing on personal freedom, interpersonal relationships, and the courage to live authentically. For HR professionals, this book offers profound insights into human behavior, communication, and leadership. The book has lessons that can help us master interpersonal dynamics, foster empowerment over control, and build resilience against criticism. The Courage to Be Disliked is a guide for HR professionals striving to build meaningful workplaces, foster authentic relationships, and approach their roles with integrity and courage. It’s not just a book about psychology – it’s a philosophy that can reshape how HR leaders approach their work and impact organizational culture.
Key Passage:
“Freedom is being disliked by other people. It is proof that you are living according to your own principles and not the expectations of others. Without this courage, you cannot live freely.”
Holy Shift by Dan Michelson
Holy Shift by Dan Michelson is probably the most traditional “business” book on this list, but its message is anything but traditional. Michelson explores what many are calling “HR 3.0” or “modern HR” (though he doesn’t call it this). Its theme is about the power of shifting one’s perspective to achieve greater clarity, purpose, and effectiveness. He charts out that modern business is built on a 100+ year old industrial model that doesn’t fit how we do work today. For HR professionals, who face complex, people-centered challenges, this book provides a practical framework to rethink how they approach work, leadership, and organizational culture. That’s what drew me to it. Michelson not only lays out the issue, but he offers his roadmap to building a modern, truly people-centric organization – not just one that offers lip service only.
Key Passage:
“But any strength can also be a weakness. If you only see things as they are, it limits your ability to see things for what they can be.”
Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator by Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday’s Trust Me, I’m Lying reveals the dark side of modern media and its impact on public perception, reputation, and decision-making. While it’s primarily about media manipulation, the lessons it offers are incredibly relevant for HR professionals, especially in an age where information – and misinformation – travels rapidly. The themes of reputation management, digital communication, crisis management and damage control, and bias in information cut across all departments and professions. Trust Me, I’m Lying is a provocative read that equips HR professionals with a deeper understanding of media dynamics, reputation management, and strategic communication. It’s also a challenging read because there are several times where I go… “uhhh, they got me” proving no one is immune to media manipulation and propaganda. Perception often shapes reality, so this book offers invaluable lessons on navigating the intersection of truth, storytelling, and influence—skills every HR leader needs in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
Key Passage:
“We live in a world where clickbait rules and facts are optional.” (Originally published in 2012, by the way).
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
I adore Simon Sinek. His TED Talk on “purpose” in work is as epic and legendary as any ever recorded. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action explores the fundamental role of purpose in leadership and decision-making. For HR professionals, this book provides a roadmap for creating meaningful work environments, driving employee engagement, and aligning organizational goals with individual aspirations. I have the privilege of working most of my career in the nonprofit space. Having purpose is easy (most of the time) in nonprofit and mission driven organizations. But for those in the profit space, it’s maybe more challenging. Start with Why provides HR professionals with actionable insights to inspire employees, develop effective leaders, and build purpose-driven cultures. By starting with the “why,” HR leaders can create workplaces where people are motivated, fulfilled, and aligned with the organization’s mission—transforming not just work but lives.
Key Passage:
“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.”
Bonus Key Passage:
“There are only two ways to influence human behavior: you can manipulate it, or you can inspire it.” (Linking this to the last book’s main theme).
Right Thing, Right Now: Good Values. Good Character. Good Deeds. By Ryan Holiday
This was my favorite read of the year, which is why I will spend a little more time on it. Anyone who has followed me knows I am deeply influenced by Holiday’s philosophy, work, and ideas. After almost a decade of horrific situations (widening gap between haves and have nots, a pandemic, racial unrest, continued ignoring climate change, two Trump administrations, and so many more injustices), a book on justice is a much needed elixir for the soul.
Ryan Holiday delves into the Stoic virtue of justice, emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior and moral integrity in both personal and professional settings. For HR professionals, this book offers valuable insights into fostering a fair and principled workplace culture. Here’s why it’s a beneficial read:
1. Reinforcing Ethical Leadership: Holiday underscores that true leadership is rooted in justice and moral character. For HR professionals, embodying and promoting ethical leadership is crucial in setting standards and guiding organizational behavior.
2. Cultivating a Culture of Integrity: The book emphasizes the significance of good values and deeds. HR professionals can draw from these principles to develop programs and policies that encourage integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct among employees.
3. Navigating Complex Workplace Decisions: Holiday’s exploration of justice provides a framework for making fair and principled decisions, a daily necessity for HR professionals handling employee relations, conflicts, and organizational policies.
4. Enhancing Employee Relations: By focusing on good character and deeds, HR professionals can better understand the importance of empathy, fairness, and respect in building strong employee relationships and a cohesive work environment.
5. Aligning Organizational Practices with Core Values: The book encourages reflection on whether actions align with stated values. HR professionals can use this perspective to ensure that organizational practices and policies are consistent with the company’s core values, fostering trust and credibility.
Incorporating the lessons from Right Thing, Right Now can aid HR professionals, and everyone, in creating a workplace that not only values ethical behavior but also actively practices it, leading to a more just and harmonious organizational culture.
Key Passage:
“It’s not virtue signaling to push back against cruelty and indifference. It doesn’t make you a ‘social justice warrior’ to speak out for kindness and fairness and inalienable rights. But even if it was, is anything better to be a warrior for than justice and or anything better to signal than virtue? What has happened to your brain to be opposed to those things?”
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