Books That Move You: Leadership Lessons from Three Powerful Reads

Aug 26

The right book can change the way you think, work and lead. During WIFI’s latest Power Hour, Books That Move You, three industry leaders shared the books that have influenced their leadership journeys, shaped their careers and helped them get to where they are today.

For Power Hour host Joanna Cantrell, customer experience manager at Shaw Industries, the inspiration for the session grew from WIFI’s first book club. Those discussions went beyond what participants enjoyed about the book to what they learned and how they were applying its lessons.

Danielle Hunsicker, COO of Diverzify, shared The Power of Communication by Helio Fred Garcia; Whitney Welch, founder of Whitney Welch Consulting, chose The AI-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods; and Kimberly Narducci, vice president of relationship management at Synchrony, shared Playing Big by Tara Mohr.

Attendees then joined breakout conversations centered on each book, exploring the ideas that resonated with the speakers and how those lessons have influenced their approach to work and leadership.

The Power of Communication: Lead With Intention

In Hunsicker’s breakout room, ideas from The Power of Communication sparked a conversation about leadership and the impact of everyday communication.

One participant shared that although she does not have a team or co-workers, she interacts with customers and others every day and can still apply the book’s communication tools in those relationships.

The group discussed speaking with intention, meeting people where they are and considering the reaction you want your message to create. Two ideas especially stood out: listen to learn and start with the end in mind.

The conversation reinforced one of the group’s biggest takeaways: you don’t need a team to be a leader.

Playing Big: Confidence Is Not a Prerequisite

In Narducci’s breakout room, Playing Big guided a conversation about the inner critic, confidence, fear and the concept of an inner mentor.

One idea that resonated was that the inner critic is not the truth. The group also discussed how confidence does not have to come before action. As one participant shared, you can be brave when you need to be, and confidence can come with time.

The group closed by reflecting on a question from the book: “If I were to be more loyal to my calling than to my fear, what would I do?”

For one participant, the answer was to give herself more grace.

The AI-Driven Leader: Use AI as a Strategic Thought Partner

In Welch’s breakout room, The AI-Driven Leader prompted attendees to think about how they currently use AI and how they could approach it differently.

The group discussed moving beyond using AI as a Google replacement or email proofreader and instead treating it as a strategic thought partner. Participants also compared platforms, discussed privacy and shared how they are currently using AI at work.

The conversation also raised the question: Can you use AI too much? The group agreed that you can.

“We still have to have that human element,” Welch said. “AI does not have a gut, we do.”

The takeaway was to continue exploring AI while holding on to the human judgment and instincts that technology cannot provide.

A Great Book is Worth Sharing

A great book doesn’t end on the last page. The ideas shape the way we think, influence the way we lead and give us something worth sharing with others. Books That Move You brought that idea to life as three leaders shared the books that have made an impact on their journeys.

As Cantrell shared, one of her favorite quotes about reading captures the spirit of the session: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” — Dr. Seuss

WIFI thanks Danielle Hunsicker, Whitney Welch and Kimberly Narducci for sharing the books and lessons that have stayed with them. Keep the conversation going! Share this blog with some one else to pass along the knowledge.

Join Us at These Upcoming Events

The Multiplier Mindset Power Hour | Sept. 18 | Noon ET | Virtual
Speaker: Nicole Harding, vice president, CCA Global University
Register Here

WIFI Book Club: The Art of Gathering | Kickoff: Oct. 22 | Noon ET | Virtual
Hosts: Renee Littleton, Kährs, and Carlene Blanding, Shaw Industries
Register Here

Andrea Blackbourn