HR Book Recommendations for Winter Break

HR Book Recommendations for Winter Break

by Julie Burrell | December 4, 2024

The holiday break is a perfect time for leveling up your knowledge, igniting your HR spark, and collecting wisdom to share with your team. These book recommendations have been hand-picked by CUPA-HR colleagues for their insights into topics like change management, inclusion and belonging, and daring leadership. They make great team book club reads, too!

Grab a warm beverage and cozy up with one of these HR reads.

For bold leaders…

Vulnerability might not spring to mind as the most important trait in a leader, but in Dare to Lead, Brené Brown encourages leaders to tune into their hearts as much as their minds.

For the everyday superstar…

In Hidden Potential, Adam Grant, a Wharton School of Business professor, says that we all have the ability to improve. You don’t have to be a prodigy or work yourself to the point of burnout, but instead be willing to learn and develop your character.

For the inventor…   

If you’ve ever pondered creative ways to do more with less, check out A Beautiful Constraint by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden. Jay Stephens, vice president of people and culture at the University of Montana, says “it’s a great book for higher ed, where we tend to live with a scarcity mindset.”

For the team leader who’s always learning…

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni is a perennially popular book. Written in the form of a fable, it addresses some common team issues, like lack of trust, fear of conflict, and avoidance of accountability.

For those looking to stress less…

Jennifer Moss, a keynote speaker at the 2024 CUPA-HR Annual Conference and Expo, is a leading voice in fighting burnout. The Burnout Epidemic argues that organizations must take the lead in developing an anti-burnout strategy that moves beyond apps, wellness programs, and perks.

For out-of-the-box thinkers…

Miranda Arjona, assistant director of HR at Rollins College, encourages embracing the qualities that make children special (and that we tend to forget when we’re all grown up). Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss “encourages readers to embrace new experiences, face obstacles with courage, and keep moving forward,” while Curious George by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey “emphasizes the importance of curiosity, exploration, and learning from one’s mistakes.” Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne “offers insights into the importance of enjoying the present moment, valuing simple pleasures, and appreciating the quirks of those around us.”

Bonus tips for the book club leader (no required reading!)…

As the content specialist in training and development, Corrie Grint hosts two different book clubs at the University of Utah. Here are her tips for success.

  • Vary book choices. Grint chooses a mix of classic leadership books, new and popular books, and untraditional books.
  • Build in flexible participation. Grint bases her questions on the general principles of books like Atomic Habits, “so anyone can participate, even if they haven’t read the book.”
  • Structure clubs inclusively. Participation is virtual and capped at one hour.
  • Offer pre-session and during-session support. A week before, Grant emails out other options to supplement or replace the reading, such as a book summary PDF or YouTube video. She also provides questions similar to the ones they’ll discuss. During the meeting, she provides a summary of the principles taught, along with quotes, and asks questions along the way.

 

Here’s the full list of recommendations, chosen by CUPA-HR colleagues:

An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything by Chris Hadfield

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear

A Beautiful Constraint: How To Transform Your Limitations Into Advantages, and Why It’s Everyone’s Business by Adam Morgan and Mark Barden

Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay by Liz Fosslien and Molly West Duffy

The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It by Jennifer Moss

Career Self-Care: Find Your Happiness, Success, and Fulfillment at Work by Minda Zetlin

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Joseph Grenny and others

Curious George by H.A. and Margaret Rey

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

Do Better: Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy by Rachel Ricketts

The Dream Manager: The Secret to Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Talent by Matthew Kelly

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves

Endurance: A Year in Space and a Lifetime of Discovery by Scott Kelly

The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy by Jon Gordon

First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham

Fish!: A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results by Lundin, Christensen, and Paul

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni

The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People by Gary Chapman and Paul White

Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

The Guide to Good Leading series by Ari Weinzweig

Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant

HR on Purpose: Developing Deliberate People Passion by Steve Browne

I’m No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us by Kristen Chenoweth

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Leadership and Self-Deception, Fourth Edition: The Secret to Transforming Relationships and Unleashing Results by The Arbinger Institute

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo

The Long-Distance Teammate: Stay Engaged and Connected While Working Anywhere by Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel

Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change by William Bridges

No Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results by Cy Wakeman

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves by The Arbinger Institute

Own Your Own Work Journey! The Path to Meaningful Work and Happiness in the Age of Smart Technology and Radical Change by Edward D. Hess

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei and others

Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg

Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara

When Everyone Leads: How The Toughest Challenges Get Seen and Solved by Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne



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