I still think I'll be able to catch up these posts (and finish my 100 books) before the end of the year!
Continuing on with the books I read in August.
Freedom's Forge - Arthur Herman
Why I read this: This was another book that I had added to my list based on seeing it recommended by Dan Goldin on LinkedIn - I've also reached that age in a man's life where I have to choose between an obsession with smoking meat or World War 2 history. I have chosen both. But I digress. The book seemed interesting enough so I figured I'd give it a read.
Reflection: This book was fascinating - and sort of accidentally relevant to my overall growth as well. There might not exist a better case study for emergence in complex systems. This story is about building a distributed system and trusting it to get the job done - the outcome being the most productive economy and the most effective military supply chain in human history. If in the course of my career I can be half as effective as the likes of William Knudsen or Henry Kaiser - I will consider my career an astounding success.
An Everyone Culture - Robert Kegan
Why I read this: As I've discussed in my other posts - a big part of my efforts aren't just learning for my own benefit; but also learning how to teach and distribute what I've learned to others. This book offers a framework and some case studies on how to build 'deliberately developmental organizations' - which in many ways is the kind of outcome I am seeking.
Reflection: I enjoyed this book and found the underlying message incredibly valuable - but it was not well suited as an audiobook and I think I failed to properly retain as much content because of it. The primary thesis - that making individual development a core part of your organization is a worthy investment - is a strong one. It stands to reason that the whole can't grow sustainably if the parts aren't given proper care and feeding. I was lucky enough to be able to almost immediately share some of the learning I gained from this book while participating in an ideation team focused on improving developmental opportunities at my company. I will likely give this book another read sometime in the not distant future to try and codify more of its content to memory.
Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success - John Wooden
Why I read this: In late 2023, my wife was in her third trimester with my daughter Evelyn and we decided to take a 'babymoon' to Myrtle Beach. While we were there - we watched the ENTIRETY of Ted Lasso. 3 full seasons in like 3 days. I have been obsessed with it ever since. As a result of watching that show - I developed an interest in John Wooden. I found this book at a book sale and had to pick it up.
Reflection: If I was put in charge of an organization and could use only one artifact as a cornerstone for establishing a framework - John Wooden's Pyramid of Success would be it. It is both remarkably simple and astoundingly deep. There is absolutely no question that it works. I think there are some who might not see how easily it can be applied outside of athletics - but there is absolutely no question in my mind that the pyramid is domain agnostic. The core principle - "success is the peace of mind which is a
direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to
become the best that you are capable of becoming" is a universal truth that we would all be better off accepting. This particular book is not the strongest resource for learning about/understanding - but it's a good entry point for those with a curiosity about how Wooden's faith guided his thinking.
Great Leader's Grow - Kenneth Blanchard
Why I read this: I bought this at a library book-sale ($5 to fill up a bag). Didn't know anything about the book or Blanchard - but it seemed like my kind of vibe and I had plenty of room in my bag. I ended up bringing it to our vacation in Maine because it was good size to travel with.
Reflection: This book was fine. One of many cheesy allegories out there designed to impart business wisdom. This one was particularly cheesy and probably not really worth the time invested.
The Gifts of Imperfection - Brene Brown
Why I read this: This was another book sale find that was well sized for the trip to Maine - and I'm a simple man. I see Brene Brown, I pick it up and read it. The primary villains of Brown's writing - shame, fear, embarrassment, etc - are all constant visitors in my life and work. So I never pass up the opportunity to consume every drop of what she has to say.
Reflection: At the time I was reading this - I was beginning to plan a talk at my alma mater about how to manage uncertainty as students move through college and enter the workforce. This book ended up influencing a lot of the content of that talk. The lessons of this book are much like those in Brown's other books - vulnerability, authenticity, and resilience are the medicine she prescribes in the face of shame and doubt. Her message to embrace your own imperfection and accepting that you are inherently worthy is one that I always need to hear.
Thinking In Systems - Donella Meadows
Why I read this: This is the ultimate intro to systems thinking - which as a discipline is not specifically a pillar of my development plan; but is a consistent member of the supporting cast. This book was a part of my core curriculum and I read it in direct support of my development.
Reflection: My reflections on this book deserve their own post - but I will attempt to distill my thoughts to fit here. Reading this book sparked a real hunger for more systems thinking knowledge - and I'll admit had me briefly considering altering my plans to focus more directly on this discipline. The concepts of stocks and flows, interconnections, leverage, reinforcing vs balancing loops are all deeply intuitive and obvious to me - but prior to reading this book I'm not sure I was as attuned to seeing them in the world around me. The systems thinking thread is one that I will definitely be continuing to pull.
Enough - John Bogle
Why I read this: Familiar story. Book sale. Well sized for travel. Was generally familiar with Bogle and his financial philosophy but figured this book would be an interesting read.
Reflection: This book feels increasingly relevant. The punchline that underscores the book comes from the writing of Kurt Vonnegut:
True story, Word of Honor:
Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer
now dead,
and I were at a party given by a billionaire
on Shelter Island.
I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel
to know that our host only yesterday
may have made more money
than your novel ‘Catch-22’
has earned in its entire history?”
And Joe said, “I’ve got something he can never have.”
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”
And Joe said, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.”
Not bad! Rest in peace!”
— Kurt Vonnegut
I won't pretend to be an expert on macroeconomics or financial markets - nor do I have any desire to wade into the political. I will leave my reflections with the fear that the world my daughter will inherit is at the mercy of those without the knowledge that they have enough.
Broken Angels - Richard K Morgan
Why I read this: This is the sequel to Altered Carbon (read previously this year). I read this one just for fun.
Reflection: This is probably my favorite book in the Takeshi Kovacs series - I wish that Netflix had faithfully adapted it for the second season instead of writing the absolute dogwater nonsense sequel that was released. I suppose I couldn't really claim to be a real science fiction fan if I didn't shake my fist and grumble at TV/Film adaptations of science fiction novels I like.
