Make it your business to learn something new this fall. Get organized and reach your full potential with this guide from Julia Klein, Chairwoman and CEO of C. H. Briggs Company, an industry leader and business book enthusiast. Klein’s picks will benefit you both personally and professionally.
1 Dynamic Duo.
Focus on solutions. Brothers Chip and Dan Heath combine psychological insight and anecdotes to demonstrate ways to accomplish compelling change. Look for small successes already happening. Create a specific action plan. When the rational and the emotional parts of the brain work together, they make a powerful team. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, Chip Heath and Dan Heath, Crowne Business, 2010, $18.94. booksamillion.com
2 Break Through.
Sheryl Sandberg’s inspiring words are important for women and men. Mentor and encourage ambitious women to become leaders. Take risks and embrace challenges. Choose a supportive partner. She offers wisdom and experience to guide readers to examine their professional environments. Working together, we can attain gender equality in the workplace. Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg, Knopf, 2013, $18.71, Firefly Bookstore, 271 W. Main St., Kutztown, 484.648.2712. fireflybookstore.com
3 New Horizons.
See the world with fresh eyes. Lighten up and approach problems with curiosity. These lessons are part of Klein’s everyday life. She often shares this book and encourages others to join her in this realm of possibility. Change your frame of reference, stop measuring and watch difficulties disappear. The Art of Possibility, Rosamund Stone Zander and Ben Zander, Penguin Books, 2002, $16, Barnes & Noble, 2751 Paper Mill Rd., Wyomissing, 610.236.0100. barnesandnoble.com
4 Classic Cornerstone.
Take a lesson from the pioneer in leadership, Warren Bennis. Leaders are made, not born. The path to leadership lies in self-discovery and invention. To emerge from the crucible of leadership, you must transcend boundaries, seek out your passions, and become more of your own best self. On Becoming a Leader, 4th Ed., Warren Bennis, Basic Books, 2009, $9.89. amazon.com
5 Make It Happen.
Achieve clarity, banish distractions, and free your mind to be creative. David Allen provides a manual for getting organized and a handy one-page flowchart to keep it in perspective. Whether you’re using the “Two-Minute Rule” for quick tasks or moving larger projects to completion, you’ll increase productivity and decrease stress. Getting Things Done, David Allen, Penguin Books, 2015, $10.45, Barnes & Noble, 2751 Paper Mill Rd., Wyomissing, 610.236.0100. barnesandnoble.com
