Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts
By Chistopher O. | Strong Female Leaders | Reading Time: Five Minutes

What is self-love? Self-love is a mindset of appreciation and loving yourself. It is developing a healthy and nurturing relationship with yourself in order to hold yourself to higher standards and never having to settle for less than you deserve. Because self-love may mean different things to different people, to find your own self-love, start with reading about it and practicing for it. If you need a place to get started, scroll down and find good books on loving yourself.


Top 5 Servant Leadership Books by Women
1) Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness by Vex King
If you are looking to transform negative emotions into positive ones and find lasting happiness, then this book by Instagram guru, Vex King can be of help. After overcoming personal adversities, King has become a source of hope and inspiration for many people. In the book, King teaches us to practice self-care overcome toxic energy and prioritize wellbeing. Through the book, King aims to change the way we think, feel and act towards ourselves, so that together we can change the world.
2) You Are a Badass®: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
In this number one New York Times best-seller, You Are a Badass gives us an entertaining and no non-sense guide to stop the habit of self-sabotage, start creating a life that you want, and commit to making a positive change.
3) Self-Love Workbook for Women: Release Self-Doubt, Build Self-Compassion, and Embrace Who You Are by Megan Logan MSW LCSW
Unlock the life-changing power of self-love with this workbook for women In this Self-Love workbook for Women, therapist Mega Logan created pages full of witty prompts, quizes and self-love content that will help you nurture compassion and create habits of self-love

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By Nan Nan Liu-Maffetone | Strong Female Leaders | Reading Time: Five Minutes
THINK AGAIN By Adam Grant: in a rapidly changing world, where intelligence is no longer the ability to think and learn but rather the ability to adapt, organizational psychologist and professor at the Wharton schoool of business, Adam Grant, makes a strong case for the cognitive process of unlearning, relearning and rethinking what we have been taught as the truth. By creating controversial ideas and investigating the evidences, Grant presents a sound approach to how we can begin to embrace being wrong, surrender preconceived notions and ingrained beliefs, and adapt to the new world by thinking again. For the full book review, scroll below.


Think Again by Adam Grant Book Review
About the Book
Think Again is a fast-paced organizational psychology book by the bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals, and Wharton School of Business professor, Adam Grant. In the book, Grant advocates for the cognitive process known as "rethinking," explained as the procedure of unlearning and relearning by questioning our own beliefs, contradicting our own opinions, and positioning ourselves as humble students again.
In a rapidly changing world, where adaptibility has emerged as the new definition of intelligence, leaders can no longer afford to clinch onto old ways of thinking. Instead, they must get comfortable with being wrong, challenge their thought processes, and welcome new ideas and alternative versions of the truth.
Backed by evidence and investigation, Grant supports his idea with both academic research and personal experiences. Furthermore, he adopts rethinking as one of his own life principles, thus giving himself credibility and at the same time building trust with the audience. Conveyed in an unpretentous and often humorous manner, Grant proves that in our fast-paced world, if we detach ourselves from "how it's always been done" and THINK AGAN, we will not only survive but also thrive.
What I loved about the book?
1) Adam Grant, the author.
Despite being a Harvard graduate, a top-rated professor at the Wharton school of business and the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers, Grant shows zero elitist demeanor. In fact, he acts quite oppositely. In the book, and on other platforms too, his tone carries confident yet likable humility. He laughes with his audience, makes fun of himself at times, and sprinkles personal stories throughout the book to relate better with readers. He supports his points with facts and data to establish trust, and then re-connects with the audience with comedic anecdotes. Exuding both command and likability isn't an easy task, but Grant masters it.
The book is presented like a well-oiled machine, each part crafted to serve a specific purpose and executed with precision. In the end, I, the reader, not only understand and believe in the idea of thinking again, but also feel connected with the author himself. Since finishing the book, I started following Grant on social media, and have been enjoying his daily tips on thought leadership every morning.
2) The message to "think again."
By profession, Grant is an educator. Personality-wise, he is a leader, and not the old-fashioned, hierarchical, title-heavy corporate mangement, but a real leader. He is forward-thinking, self-affacing, and open to new ideas. To be able to successfully "think again," one must let go of his own ego, and release all pre-emptive cognitive commitments. Easier said than done, especially for those of us who were educated in a certain way, highly regarded and compensated for the way we think, and are well respected by peers.
3) The self help factor.
Though Grant uses plenty of academic research and handfuls of jargons in the book, he certainly delivers them in a personal way. He also touches readers in a personal way too, and once in a while adds a self help factor. The book isn't all about organizational psychology, but also about how to improve our daily lives, relationships and the more important things in life. In other words, we don't need to have fancy titles to take full advantage of the book. We just need to be open-minded.
Personally, I feel enlightened, stimulated, and am already practicing the "think again" process. In the past two weeks, I have improved as a team member at work, a spouse, a community leader, and as a parent. The best part is not quite about myself but the way I have influenced others to question their own pre-conceived cognitive commitments.
How can the book be better?
As much as I love the idea of thinking again, it is not new. In fact, many people have touched base on it, but only Grant dedicated an entire book to the topic. He did credit some of the early innovators who advocated for the idea, but I feel that he could have provided more examples to show appreciation to the originators of thinking again.
Also, I would like to see more success stories. Think again is an easily applicable concept, and may be more easily adoptable if we see more examples of it. Overall, though, the book is certainly worth the time and effort to read.
Why should you read the book?
Thinking again is by no means an easy task to accomplish. It takes a very motivated person to want to undergo this level of self-de-construction. In many cases, this type of motivation is initiated by life-changing events such as becoming a parent, a job loss, or a promotion to a position of great influence. If you are ready for the change, you will know. In fact, you will start searching for books like Think Again, and start connecting with thought leaders like Grant.
Thought leadership is more like self leadership. If you are the self-starter type and looking to connect with other thought leaders, you will enjoy the book very much.

1) Get the book at BOOK THINK AGAIN by Adam Grant
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By Nan Nan Liu-Maffetone | Strong Female Leaders | Reading Time: Five Minutes
What are greenlights? In context of the book, Greenlights, by Oscar-winning actor, humanitarian and now author, Matthew Mcconaughey, greenlights represent the wins in life. The book includes McConaughey's personal stories of conquering the entertainment industry, staying on the top, and turning the "redlights" to "greenlights" in every situation. Like the author himself, the book carries a charming and down-to-earth tone; and if you ever thought of Mcconaughey as just a pretty face, think again! He is quite the philosopher, and is much more than meets the eye. To read the full review on Greenlights, please scroll down.


Matthew Mcconaughey Green Lights Review
About the Book
Is it a biography? No. Is it a memoir? No. "It's a love letter. To life." Says McConaughey himeslf. "It’s also a guide to catching more greenlights—and to realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green too," adds the author.
From a pimply-faced teenager, to a budding actor, to an award winning movie star, McConaughey's life is filled with successes, failures, joys, sadnesses and surprises, just like yours and mine. Unlike yours and mine, however, his life is also filled with a whole lot more yellow- and redlights. Somehow, he always finds a way to turn those yellows and reds to greens, and failures to wins.

In the book, you will find that colossal success has had minimal impact on the all-American Texan. At the end of the day, he prides himself on being a father, husband, brother, son, and other humbler roles in life. The greenlights that he had obscured has little to do with his good looks or superstar status, but everything to do with his outlook on life.
What I loved about the book?
There are three things that I absolutely loved about the book:
1) Humor.
Goodness gracious! Mcconaughey is hilarious. Sure, he was funny in romantic comedies like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Failure to Launch. In real life, he is even funnier, especially when he was telling lighthearted stories about his past.
One the best moments in the book was when his mom applied skincare cream that was made for grown women on his face, hoping to clear his pimples. Unfortunately, it only subjected his skin to suffer in the most huminiating way, and he laughed it off. However simple the story, it shows that this dstinguished Oscar winning actor is so down-to-earth that he isn't afraid to make fun of himself. He uses his talent of storytelling to bring laughter to others, and always at his own expense.
Some people become famous, and they stop being relatable. They feel pressured to live up to a far-fetched persona. Mcconaughey doesn't seem to care about having a different public image. He is comfortable in his own skin, and wants to make others feel the same. I love that the book allows him to make this type of impact at a greater scale.
2) Humility.
Speaking of being comfortable in his own skin: Mcconaughey isn't afraid to expose his middle class upbringing.
One of the most profound stories from the book is when he was deciding between an expensive private school versus a state school when applying to colleges. His original plan was to attend the private school. When he learned that his father had lost his job and was unable to afford the tuition, he willingly gave up his school of choice and settled for the public university. His act of letting go of his own aspirations for the benefit of others speaks volumes about his character.
When people become famous, they forget about their humble beginnings. Some are even embarrassed by them. Mcconaughey is proud of where he came from, and often visits his grounded past. Being so genuine makes his stories interesting and the book fun to read.
3) Mentorship.
Growing up, mentors offered me this advice: surround yourself with the people you aspire to be. At mid-career and middle age, I aspire to be like thought leaders like Matthew McConaughey, and some of them are only accessible through media and books. Mcconaughey's humor, humility and drive are qualities that I seek in a Mentor. Reading the book gave me an insight to who he is and how he thinks. While I appreciate Mcconaughey's masterful storytelling, the life lessons that he teaches are truly priceless.
How can the book be better?
As relatable as McConaughey is, he is still a celebrity. Even from a young age, he was always handsome, popular and charming. Though he took bodacious opportunities, earned his successes, and inspired many poeople, to inspire the female audience, he still lacks adversity and may not resonate with everyone.
Why should you read the book?
If you are looking for a breazy read that is also inspiring, then Greenlights is a good choice. Mcconaughey's cleverness, practicality, and warmth brought charm, fun and uniqueness to the book. If he writes a sequal, I'd get it. In fact, I may just read Greenlights one more time.

Thanks for visiting.

1) Get the book at Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

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By Freelance Contributor | Strong Female Leaders | Reading Time: Five Minutes

To achieve success, you have to learn from successful people. To become good leaders, you have to learn from great leaders. In today's article, you will find the top five inspiring leadership books by great women leaders.


Top 5 Servant Leadership Books by Women
1) In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice From Over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs by Grace Bonney
The six-figure woman is no longer a rarity. From corporate executives to entrepreneurs to freelancers and even part-timers, women now are creating considerable success and money. This book offers advice from 100 of the most accomplished women around the world, accompanied by photos and inspirational quotes, in order to give you ideas, build leadership skills, and keep you inspired.
2) Drop the Ball: Achieving More By Doing Less by Tiffany Dufu
In this inspiring memoir and manifesto for women leaders everywhere, founder and CEO of Cru, Tiffany Dufu, shares her struggles to balance motherhood and career, and her solution to let it go. In Drop the Ball, Dufu recounts how she learned to reprioritize, accept failures, and create the space she needed to truly thrive.

Women leaders are often burdened with responsibilities at work and home, and have little bandwidth to develop their own careers beyond the mid-level. In Drop the Ball, Dufu offers a new perspective for success, and urges other women leaders to let go of what others expect of them, and focus on what's really important.
3) Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown
To be brave at the workplace, women must move beyond their fears and be able to face challenges. In this inspirational book, renowned speaker, Brene Brown, advises women to step up and take the lead, care for others, and create a better culture for everyone.
4) Expect to Win: 10 Proven Strategies for Thriving in the Workplace by Carla Harris
In this New York Times Best Seller, successful business woman, Carla Harris, offers advice on achieving both fulfillment and success. Using her own experiences as examples, Harris crafts a list of tips and strategies that real women can use, and encourages women to expect to win despite the odds against them.
5) Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington
Women leaders experience a lot of stresses and often suffer from burnout. This is exactly what happened to the Huffington Post president and editor-in-chief, Arianna Huffington, a few years ago. In her book, Thrive, Arianna Huffington urges women to redefine success in today's world. Using personal experience of burnout, Huffington urges women to realize that to be successful, one must stop being "on" all the time and be able to unplug, let go, and defy traditional values, in order to truly thrive.

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By Freelance Contributor | Strong Female Leaders
Reading Time: Approx. 5 minutes
Target Audience: Professional Women, Entrepreneurial Women

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About Jordan Peterson and the 12 Rules for Life
Too much chaos in your life? Canadian Psychologist and Professor, Jordan B. Peterson, can help with that. In his bestseller, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, Peterson offers life advice through essays, prolific writing, and personal experiences. Though criticised for the unorthodox style of writing, 12 Rules for Life has sold over three million copies worldwide since its debut in 2018. The book's success also elevated Peterson's popularity from a respected professor in acedemia to a household name in pop culture. Now Peterson travels the world to promote his book, give speeches, and promote himself as a brand. Not bad for an academic who lived his own advice and took a shot at doing something new.
The idea for writing 12 Rules for Life grew out of Peterson's experience on a website named Quora. One day he ran into a rather peculiar question that asked: "what are the most valuable things everyone should know?" From his original answer that listed 42 rules, Peterson reduced to 12 rules, and then developed them into the following chapters in the book:
1) "Stand up straight with your shoulders back"
2) "Treat yourself like you are someone you are responsible for helping"
3) "Make friends with people who want the best for you"
4) "Compare yourself with who you were yesterday, not with who someone else is today"
5) "Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them"
6) "Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world"
7) "Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)"
8) "Tell the truth — or, at least, don’t lie"
9) "Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t"
10) "Be precise in your speech"
11) "Do not bother children when they are skate-boarding"
12) "Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street"

What we loved?
You must be rolling your eyes by now. Who does this guy think he is, preaching to people about how to live their lives? Be surprised, though, to learn that Peterson is far from the average preacher. In fact, what makes this book most interesting is Peterson's unique teaching style and filter-free communication, which may have been derived from his clinical experiences from treating psychologically damaged patients. For example, instead of seeking happiness, as so many of us who are accostumed to the "Facebook" version of happiness are used to hearing, Peterson asks us to seek meaning instead. And he does so by painting, ever so vividly, this picture of the world of chaos and order that we are stuck in, and highlights the fact that all human beings have this dark impulse that manifest only under certain circumstance. But, we also have a light, and we turn it on when we seek for the right things in life.
That is brutal honesty, and some people appreciate it.

Another interesting factor about the 12 Rules for Life is how Peterson challenges us in the most intrinsic way. Of course, his intention is to surface the underlying lesson to strive for personal responsibility. Because at the end of the day, good or evil, light or dark, we make our own choices. From contributing positively to the world to disciplining our children to choosing our friends wisely, who we are right now is built upon the small choices that we make everyday. And from these small-scale personal choices, we then build outwardly our communities, societies and the world.
His advice is "have some humility...If you cannot bring peace to your own household, how dare you try to rule a city?” Instead of a polite and glossy advice, he dares us, and does so bluntly, intending to jolt us out of the constant elation. For those of us who can take that type of criticism, it is actually good advice.
What can the book could improve on?
The book has more than a handful of critics, and they dubbed Peterson as neurotic, baroque and scolding. If you prefer a softer approach to the self-help genre, then 12 Rules for Life probably won't resonate with you. However, if you enjoy a more forthright and borderline controversial writing style, with a sprinkle of intellectualism and practical life lessons, then this book for you.
Parting Thoughts
We recommend this book because it tells the same life lessons that we hear everywhere else in a differently and perhaps more effective tone. Because of Peterson's academic background and experiences working with real patients, he does bring more genuine perspective. Peterson may have accumulated wealth and a following from publishing the If you do try it, be open minded and get ready to be entertained.


12 Rules for Life



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