This year, while most of my “good reads” were published during 2024, I’ve included a couple that I had missed in previous years but am pleased I caught up on. As usual, I’ve chosen my reads on the basis that they stimulated my thinking, offered an evidential approach, were well written and had practical application in my worlds of interest – coaching, mentoring, leadership and neurodivergence.
Here, in no particular order, are my top reads for 2024. Enjoy.
The Atomic Human
by Neil Lawrence
A well-argued explanation of what sets human intelligence apart from machine / artificial intelligence. At the same time both challenging and reassuring.
Molecular Storms
by Liam Graham
We have got used to the idea that our genes react with our environment to affect everything that happens within us. But strip that down to what happens in the atoms that make up our cells and everything becomes about how natural structures create order out of chaos. And the same basic mechanisms work in the other direction, all the way up to the intricate structure of the universe. Made me feel small!
Good Nature
by Kathy Willis
A detailed exploration of the science behind how the human brain reacts to nature, and the impact of how we experience the natural world on our stress levels, concentration, cognition and general well-being. It has radically altered how I see plants and landscapes and my awareness of colours and shapes – especially fractals.
Relational Team Coaching
by Erik De Haan and Dorothee Stoffels
An eclectic collection of essays on team coaching that provides multiple perspectives on the challenges of this complex role.
The AI Mirror
by Shannon Vallor
The essence is captured by the subtitle: How to reclaim our humanity in an age of machine thinking.
The Life of Dad – The making of the modern father
by Anna Machin
All of my children are now middle-aged, but I’ve long been intrigued by the psychological changes that happen to men when they first become parents. This is a much-neglected area and the author presents compelling evidence for greater attention to this life changing period. Among the implications is that companies need paternity well-being policies.
Right Kind of Wrong: How the Best Teams use Failure to Succeed
by Amy Edmondson
Published towards the end of 2023, it starts with the personal journey of discovery of the world’s leading expert on psychological safety. Again, the subtitle says it all “Why learning to fail can teach us to thrive.”
Chatter: the voice in our head and how to harness it
by Ethan Cross.
Published in 2021, this is a highly insightful exploration of inner conversations and how to manage them. Probably the most useful book to give to anyone suffering from imposter syndrome, or anyone working with them.
Good Bye: Leading change better by attending to endings
by Alison Lucas – Due to be published April 2025.
There’s very little published on good endings in coaching, nor generally. This neat book is a gem!