The Learning Library
One of the ways that I “Help Leaders Blossom” is to read. I love books that are well researched, well presented and have a practical orientation. This section of my website is designed to support your leadership journey by helping to choose your next good read, and grow your leadership capacity.
I read (and listen to) books on leadership, organization development, strategy formation, change … the list goes on, so I’ve organized the books into categories that make sense to me, and I have added brief comments with some of my thoughts. I’ve also added links to short video clips that may peak your interest. My goal was to read a book a week for a year (starting Oct 2018) and the tally came in at 59 books.
The Inner Game of Work: Focus, Learning, Pleasure and Mobility in the Workplace
2000, by Timothy Gallwey I was first introduced to this book in 2006 when I begin my coach training. Gallway’s work provides a framework and insight about high performance internal states as compared with lower performance inner experience. He...
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead
2012, by Brene Brown First, I’m going to say that listening to Brown’s books back-to-back a year after your spouse passes away may be too much, too soon. I’m just saying … hind sight is a great teacher. This was a...
Toxic Workplace! Managing Toxic Personalities and Their Systems of Power
2009 by Michell Kusy and Elizabeth Holloway I use this book extensively when I am working with leaders who are faced with toxic behaviors by employees in the workplace. Kusy and Halloway’s research focuses on how toxicity is systemically reinforced and...
Switch: How to Change Things when Change is Hard
2010, Chip and Dan Heath This is an exciting new addition to my library and I am delighted that there is still more to learn about how to lead system change. It draws from various researchers, and incorporates powerful metaphors and images that ground the...
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
2000, by Malcolm Gladwell This book Gladwell examines principles of social contagion and how to bring about movements in human systems. Gladwell is a brilliant story-teller who weaves real-life examples that illustrate successful changes that have reached ...
Assessment Tools
The Iris Group is experiences in the use and integration of the following assessment tools. All are available as online instruments.
Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI©)
Based on the research of Quinn and Cameron, two leading experts on organizational culture, the OCAI has been validated across hundreds of organizations. It is based on the competing values framework and provides insights into current and preferred cultures. We have found it particularly helpful in the early stages of mergers and acquisitions.
Visit the OCAI website
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI©)
Marion Howell is a certified MBTI assessor and facilitator. The MBTI is the most validated psychometric tool in use today. It provides powerful insights into personality preferences which are helpful in both personal anf team development.
StrengthFinder©
This Gallup instrument is based on extensive research by Marcus Buckingham and others. It allows individuals to identify their top five strengths across five domains.
Values in Action (VIA Survey)
Research tells us that individuals who use their character strengths lead happier, more satisfying lives. The VIA Survey is a validated instrument that guides individuals to know their 24 character strengths and provides an in-depth VIA Character Reports.
Reflected Best Self
Based on the work of Laura Morgan Roberts in the area of positive organizational studies, this assessment approach invites perspectives from different people on ways in which an individual has had a positive impact.