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.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
1936, by Dale Carnegie Reading this book is like a rite of passage for all emerging leaders. Carnegie began writing about emotional intelligent ways to lead long before we understood the brain science of why his approaches work. As I review his 12...
Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ
1995, by Daniel Goleman This is another foundational reading if you want to understand the importance of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and leadership. When this book was published in 1995, it broke through the misconception that reason guides our self-direction and...
Getting to Maybe
2006, Francis Westley, Brenda Zimmerman, and Michael Quinn Patton “Getting to Maybe” takes a descriptive approach to social innovation, with wisdom, insights and suggestions woven into the narrative. This book captures the lived reality of being a social innovator...
Becoming Michelle Obama
2018, by Michelle Obama This was a welcome addition to my reading list this year. I have always been fascinated by the Obamas yet I didn’t follow US politics closely when they were in office, which meant that many of the events recounted were new to me. I found...
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.