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January (5)
During Christmas Break 2019, I found myself browsing—as I like to do—in a local Half-Price Book Store. One book, in particular, caught my eye. It was Mary Kay on People Management by Mary Kay Ash. That was one of the best leadership books I’ve read in a while—and it’s one of the few authored by a woman. I thought it was a fitting tribute for my Mom’s birthday in February.
In September 2019, I attended the Connex HR Summit in Rockwall, Texas, where I received Jason Richmond’s book Culture Spark: 5 Steps to Ignite & Sustain Organizational Growth. I read it during the Christmas Break and transcribed my notes on New Year’s Day 2020.
Also on New Year’s Day, I picked up and read Alveda King’s King Rules: Ten Truths for You, Your Family, and Our Nation to Prosper. Then, I summarized the book for MLK Day 2020.
Other Books I read in January included:
- Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family by Rajendra Sisodia, Raj Sisodia (2015) – a book I received through an Amazon promotion on Christmas Eve 2019
- How to Lead in a World of Distraction: Four Simple Habits for Turning Down the Noise by Clay Scroggins (2019)
February (4)
In February, I flew to the Kennedy Space Center for our HR Executive Leadership Team’s retreat. On the trip, I read these three books:
- Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney (2008)
- Great Leaders Have No Rules: Contrarian Leadership Principles to Transform Your Team and Business by Kevin Kruse (2019)
- Who Killed Change? by Kenneth H. Blanchard (2009)
Then, as Tanner’s baseball season started, I had time to read during his practices and finished John Townsend’s People Fuel: Fill Your Tank for Life, Love, and Leadership.
March (2)
For National Optimism Month, I picked up Jon Gordon’s The Positive Dog: A Story About the Power of Positivity and used it in a post about our dog, Minnie.
Then, I was able to purchase Mark Batterson’s Play the Man: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be for 99 cents and read it to round out the month.
April (4)
By April, I adjusted my reading routine and picked up these three books for the “Covid-19 Stay-at-Home Orders”:
- Dare to Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others by Cheryl A. Bachelder (2018)
- The Shark and the Goldfish: Positive Ways to Thrive During Waves of Change by Jon Gordon (2009)
- 21 Leadership Issues in the Bible: Understanding the Critical Issues Faced by the Men and Women of the Bible by John C. Maxwell (July 2019)
Then, I read Rick Searfoss’ Liftoff: An Astronaut Commander’s Countdown for Purpose-Powered Leadership, anticipating a special post for National Astronaut Day (May 5) & National Space Day (May 8).
May (3)
In May, I finally completed a book purchased nearly 3 years earlier! It was a perfect book to summarize on May 20th for National Be a Millionaire Day: Brad Hewitt’s Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money.
I also read Bob Buford’s Drucker & Me: What a Texas Entrepenuer Learned From the Father of Modern Management.
Then, on Memorial Day Weekend during our visit to Corpus Christi, I read John Maxwell’s The Leader’s Greatest Return: Attracting, Developing, and Multiplying Leaders, which served as the basis for my birthday post in November.
Summer (2)
On May 25, 2020, our country was shocked and reeling from the murder of George Floyd, which eclipsed the coronavirus pandemic on America’s headlines. It was the haunting image of 39-year-old Floyd, handcuffed, face down, flanked by police and pleading for his life that pierced the thick wall of complacency that had, in the wake of similar injustices, failed to provoke nationwide outrage.
In June, my successor as JSC’s HR Director recommended Robin DiAngelo’s book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, describing it as “life-changing.” So, I read the book and discussed it with some colleagues.
Then, on August 12, I was scheduled to co-facilitate NASA’s event entitled “Mission to Inclusion: Cultivating an Antiracist Workplace,” featuring Profesor Ibram X. Kendi. To prepare, I picked up and read his book How to Be an Antiracist. As he mentioned during the event, “Part of being antiracist is leaning into the discomfort that we experience as we grow.”
September (2)
After a heavy summer, I read a couple of lighter books:
- The Virtual Assistant Solution: Come up for Air, Offload the Work You Hate, and Focus on What You Do Best by Michael Hyatt (2013)
- Growing Kingdom Wisdom: The Essential Qualities of a Mature Christian Leader by Tom Yeakley (2019)
October (6)
Unfortunately, I had more time to read in October, as I traveled to Lamesa for a week to support my wife and Mother-in-Law, while my Father-in-Law was hospitalized with COVID-19. Then, I returned to Houston to be with the boys, while Jennifer stayed with her Mom.
At his graveside memorial, Pastor Jim Medley recommended Terry Looper’s 2019 book Sacred Pace: Four Steps to Hearing God and Aligning Yourself With His Will. Medley noted how Dr. Wayne Smith emulated a Sacred Pace, so I quickly read that one!
Others I read during the month:
- Instaread’s Summary of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (2016)
- Relationship GRIT: A True Story with Lessons to Stay Together, Grow Together, and Thrive Together by Jon & Kathryn Gordon (2020)
- Shut Up and Listen!: Hard Business Truths that Will Help You Succeed by Tilman Fertitta (2019)
- Character Still Counts: It Is Time to Restore Our Lasting Values by James Merritt (2020)
And, as we prepared for the national election, I especially appreciated David Platt’s insights in his short book Before You Vote: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask.
November (3)
In November, I read three different books, re-reading Andy Stanley’s 2003 book from 12 years ago (since I didn’t record my highlights at the time): The Next Generation Leader: Five Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future.
Then, I picked up and read a book I’d heard a lot about over the years: Mark Sanborn’s The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary.
And, Kindle Prime gave me the opportunity to read John MacArthur Jr.’s Twelve Ordinary Men.
December (5)
To round out the year, I had to read Tod Bosinger’sLeadership for a Time of Pandemic: Practicing Resilience!
And I was intrigued by Jon Gordon’s The Garden: A Spiritual Fable About Ways to Overcome Fear, Anxiety, and Stress.
I turned to Max Lucado’s 2012 book Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear, which seemed to have some great messages for 2020.
Then, as I shift my focus to 2021 and the new year, I read John Stott’s Basic Christianity.
At work, we’re preparing for an increased focus on diversity and inclusion, so I was intrigued by Pamela Newkirk’s 2019 book Diversity, Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion-Dollar Business.
For 2021, I’m expecting a return to spiritual fundamentals personally and a focus on making NASA’s core value of Inclusion real, as we continue to shoot for the stars!