Contributors to the January 2024 issue of TD magazine offer their book recommendations.

Karyn Edwards

Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It

by Ethan Kross

The book delves into the nature of our inner voice, its impact on our lives, and strategies to manage it effectively. It examines both the psychological and neurological research that explains how chatter can both help and hurt us. From an interpersonal work relationship point of view, I see huge opportunities to avoid assumptions. Work relationships matter, and our inner voice can sometimes lead us to manage those ineffectively.

Alaina Szlachta

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't

by Jim Collins

This book reveals how average-performing organizations have risen to and stayed at the top of high-performing organizations lists. It offers essential background information to help learning leaders advocate for good employee support and leadership development initiatives.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t

By Jim Collins

I believe all L&D pros need more business acumen if they want to ensure their learning programs are the most helpful for leadership development and human performance improvement. This book reveals how average-performing organizations have risen and stayed at the top of high-performance organizations lists. This book offers an essential background to help learning leaders advocate for good employee support and leadership development initiatives.

Emily Cosgrove

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

by Robin Wall Kimmerer

This is a profound book for everyone at this moment in time, offering a reminder that we are an integral part of, not separate from, something bigger. From indigenous myths and stories to scientific research and evidence, there is so much on which to learn, absorb, and reflect. The main message I received is the importance and wonder of reciprocity.

Sara Hope

The Discomfort Zone: How to Get What You Want by Living Fearlessly

By Farrah Storr

It’s a great read—not too theoretical, practical, packed with brilliant stories, and a reassuring reminder that we can all experience that uncomfortable feeling when things get harder and we’re out of our depth. Fear and anxiety are human emotions that can stop us from taking risks or saying “yes” to things that feel scary. The Discomfort Zone is a great reminder of the power of embracing challenges. It’s not about making the world a fearless place. But it is about having strategies to help ourselves be more fearless.

Matt Pierce

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

By Chip Heath and Dan Heath

When making videos, presentations, or with any message, it’s critical to make sure your ideas connect and stay with individuals. Made to Stick presents six core characteristics for making ideas sticky.

Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences

By Nancy Duarte

Another great book that focuses on crafting messages that will connect with your audience. Nancy Duarte breaks down a few famous presentations and explains why they are memorable, evocative, and emotive. Another great look at ways to create more effective and powerful presentations and videos.