Better Than Before
My favorite part of every new year is breaking in a blank (paper) calendar book. I've always loved the idea of a fresh start and the opportunity to plan out the life I desire, day by day and page by page.

I re-read Gretchen Rubin's “Better than Before” (2015) at the beginning of this year. Starting fresh with greater selfawareness and better habits seems like a repeatable, simple way to level up my performance (without adding any stress). Plus, it gives me a good excuse to do more with my new planner right away.

This book outlines Gretchen's “four tendencies” (the way different people react to expectations from themselves and others), along with a wide variety of habit-forming strategies and tendency-specific tips. I especially appreciate the stories that accompany each of her recommended ideas because they equip me with the ability to identify the right choices for myself and those I lead without as much trial and error.

Ultimately, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is curious about how they can motivate themselves and those they lead to complete the little tasks (like getting enough sleep or overcoming procrastination) that make the big changes you really want possible.

Robyn Davis, CPTD, CEM, owner, Exhibitors WINH LLC

The Unforgiving Minute
While not a typical business book, The Unforgiving Minute, by Craig M. Mullaney, forces reflection, humility, and perspective. It tells the true story of U.S. Army Captain Craig Mullaney, from his enlistment in the Army to his time leading an infantry platoon in Afghanistan during the war with al-Qaeda. It also explores the responsibilities, lessons, and ramifications of being a leader and part of a team in an environment that sometimes resembles the business world, but with higher stakes and true servant-leader requirements.

This book adjusted my perspective. I read it before a big show, when responsibility was mounting, stress levels were high, and things sometimes didn't go as planned. I often thought back to this book during that experience. Planning and preparedness are the keys to success. The ability to adapt to changing situations, make decisions and adjust, and be successful despite the unexpected are the skills that we develop through education and experience.

This book helped me see which issues are worth stressing over and which ones are not. My position is important and mistakes can have costly consequences. But I am not making life and death decisions. When things aren't going as planned, it's helpful to remember that.

Chad Stover, CTSM, technical marketing manager, The Conair Group

Leading from the Middle: A Playbook for Managers to Influence Up, Down, and Across the Organization
In this book, Scott Mautz delivers a perfect playbook for anyone who is seeking productive ways to lead. I'm the very definition of a middle manager in my current role. I have a team of five, and being responsible for coaching them and supporting their work and development is an important aspect of my job. But leading across to my managers, peers, and others is just as critical to my success and the success of the work my team does for the company.

The biggest thing I learned from this book is how to be clear with expectations and how to set firm boundaries while being flexible and strategic. You don't need to specialize in everything, but it's important that you be able to ask the right questions.

I know that people in our industry are busy, so if you're going to read only one chapter from this book, it should be Chapter 8: Leading Change. Exhibit managers work hard to incorporate best practices into how their company exhibits at trade shows. And this often can require change. But getting buy-in for change can often be the biggest battle in an organization. This chapter offers an interesting perspective on making change happen.

Jessica Simon, CTSM, manager, marketing support and events, S&C Electric Co.

The Road Back to You — An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
Books like The Road Back to You, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, have done so much to fuel the tremendous personal growth I've experienced over the last few years. The enneagram is a personality test that has given me a deeper understanding of my own personality and how aspects of it that I once saw as weaknesses can be utilized in ways I never considered. Having this deeper understanding of not just my own personality but of the personalities of people closest to me has deepened my connections with others.

This book does have Christian themes, but I found the overall message helpful even though I do not practice Christianity. I think it's a must-read for anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of the people close to them and learning about themselves. Shining a light on your flaws and shortcomings, uncomfortable as it may be, is the only way to truly work on yourself and experience the kind of growth that helps build the self-love that so many of us are searching for. It has been a big tool for me on my own journey toward self-love because my newfound knowledge allows me to give more grace to myself as well as to those around me.

Jessica Iden, CTSM, event marketing professional

THREE RECOMMENDED PODCASTS
Are you a multi-tasker who educates yourself while running on a treadmill or during a commute? Check out these recommended business podcasts.