If you’re like me, you’re exposed to a fire hose of content to read on a daily basis.  What I choose to absorb—and how I make those decisions—is an interesting topic for another moment.  Whether in the form of Blogs; Ted Talks; Essays or Professional Articles; Books; or even Tweets ~ I’ve taken in a tremendous amount of information this past year.
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Considering the Books slice of the content pie, here are my top 5 picks that influenced me in 2015, listed in random order.  What are yours?

Considering the Books slice of the content pie, here are my top 5 picks that influenced me in 2015, listed in random order.  What are yours?

1. The Whole Brain Business Book, by Ned Herrmann & Ann Herrmann-Nehdi ~ This is an easy read that I reference almost daily.  It articulates the theory and practical applications behind Ned Herrmann’s Whole Brain® Thinking.  Herrmann’s scientifically grounded model provides the organizing framework for the leadership coaching and organizational development work I do.
2. Shadows in the Sun: Healing from Depression and Finding the Light Within, by Gayathri Ramprasad ~ Like any good story, this one took me on a journey that provoked all of my senses.  Along the way, I experienced Gayathri’s odyssey most eloquently in my heart. In recounting her experience with depression, her memoir is for anyone affected by depression themselves, for their loved ones, and for professionals seeking to help them. With 450 million suffering from mental disorders worldwide and 350 million struggling with depression, Gayathri’s story of hope is one that the world needs to hear right now.
3. Younger Next Year, by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D. ~ This is another easy read that also acts like a reference book.  It’s a useful guide for living with vitality and grace, providing practical and scientifically based recommendations for thriving physically and mentally.  The books’ influence has come with my application of many of those recommendations.
4. Falling Upward, by Richard Rohr ~ Tremendously inspiring, one comment on the jacket of my edition summarizes it well: With rare insight, Rohr takes us on a journey to give us an understanding of how the heartbreaks, disappointments, and first loves of life are actually stepping stones to the spiritual joys that the second half of life has in store for us.  If it’s true that we’re really spiritual beings having a human experience, this book provides rich and fundamental nourishment for our core.
5. Start With Why, by Simon Senik ~Senik’s simple and powerful framing of the most important question any individual or business can ask–Why do you do what you do?—has provided me with the inspiration and proper lens through which to envision and launch my business.  It also affirms many of the leadership concepts I hold as guiding principles in my work.

What were your most influential reads this year?  Meantime, my best wishes to you, and the people dear to you, for an abundant and joy-filled 2016!

Mike Pelfini of Michael Pelfini Consulting provides leadership coaching and training for CEOs, senior leaders and executive teams.  Mike guides individuals and organizations across thresholds onto paths leading to deeper purpose, rediscovered relevance and greater sustainability…to maximum achievement.

Contact Mike for a free consultation!
mike@michaelpelfini.com
(415) 250-4139
www.michaelpelfini.com