Summer is a great time to catch up on your reading, whether that be the latest Dan Brown novel or a hot new biography. If you’d like to take advantage of your downtime to get up to date on the latest trends in human resources, we talked to HR professionals to ask them what their favorite books are.
If you’re looking for a good summer read, consider these books to inspire and educate HR professionals:
Not Your Average Joe: Profiles of Military Core Values and Why They Matter in the Private Sector
By Dennis Davis
From: Dennis Davis, Chief Translation Officer, Metafrazo, Minneapolis, MN
Sure this is recommended by the author himself, but it covers topics many HR professionals don’t know how to handle or just want to avoid. It’s a must read.
What you will learn: Veteran unemployment rates are at or near all time highs. Pending defense cuts will only make this worse as more exit the military and seek jobs in the private sector. While most companies seek to hire veterans, they have no idea of where to start. This book is a wonderful tool not only for the veteran to better understand how they can leverage their values into a meaningful employment opportunity but also for employers to understand both the value and values veterans bring to almost any employer. A must read for those who seek to effectively attract, hire and retain veterans in their organization.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
By Charles Duhigg
From: Kent Johnson, Talent Acquisition at Land O’ Lakes, Arden Hills, MN
What you learned: Really compelling book about how habits shape and mold our life, and what we can do to break those habits. We’re all creatures of habit and most are formed unconsciously and thus determine our activities. The author, Charles Duhigg, does a wonderful job of explaining our mindsets through analysis and through anecdotes to make this book a wickedly compelling read. And these habits permeate our work and personal life. Think about it; when you drive into work, do you park in virtually the same spot every time? Do you get a coffee or soda first thing in the morning, like clockwork? Sure, we all do. The same applies to our work habits and habits we’ve formed in our personal life. Many times these habits, like eating, smoking or exercising determine how we live our life. By the end of the book, you’ll find yourself examining facets of your life you previously ignored or took for granted.
The First 90 Days
By Michael Watkins
From: Lisa Panarello, President and Founder, Careers Advance, Greater New York City, New York
What you learned: While it was written with employees in mind (as a guide to assimilating oneself effectively into a new leadership role), it can easily be read from an employer’s perspective. This book offers valuable insights and strategies for hiring smart, aligning structures, systems and cultures, building teams, accelerating learning curves, evaluating performance and negotiating win-win situations. After hiring managers and recruiters read the book, every new hire should too!
100 Ways to Motivate Others
By Steve Chandler
From: Lisa Panarello, President and Founder, Careers Advance, Greater New York City, New York
What you learned: This user-friendly guide offers short takes from major corporations and reveals breakthrough concepts for rewarding performance on a daily basis – and when year-end financial compensation is not an option.
Maximizing Performance
By John Seymour and Martin Shervington
From: Lisa Panarello, President and Founder, Careers Advance, Greater New York City, New York
What you learned: This 72-page gem is a quick reference tool with real-world power tips for building and empowering staff. It’s a quick read and can be easily incorporated into daily coaching practices and structured training programs.
Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em: Getting Good People to Stay, fifth edition
By Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans
From: Stacey Stratton, President, True Talent Group, Minneapolis, MN
What you learned: It covers over twenty strategies for employee engagement. With some reports suggesting that over 70% of employees are disengaged right now this time-tested book is a must-have for every manager. It has checklists and quizzes that keep the book an easy read and great reference.
Create Your Future the Peter Drucker Way: Developing and Applying a Forward-Focused Mindset
By Bruce Rosenstein
What you will learn: One-third of all Americans are dissatisfied with the future facing themselves and their families, according to a recent Gallup survey. And even among those who are satisfied, their optimism about the future is the lowest it’s been in 40 years. Now Bruce Rosenstein, a celebrated writer, speaker, and educator specializing in the life and work of management icon Peter Drucker, is here with hope and help. You can create your own future, says Rosenstein. Better yet, you can do it simply and systematically as part of your everyday life. In his new book he offers a treasure trove of timely tips and tools, many inspired by Drucker and all imagined by Rosenstein for today’s uneasy times.
