Practicing Connection, Leadership, and Solidarity: Favorite Books of 2024
Since I learned about speed reading a few years ago, I’ve been reading more books than ever. With new AI tools, it’s easier for me to gather highlights, delve into content, and spark creative ideas. This year, in a world that often encourages disconnection and blame, I turned to books on communication, connection, and leadership. Books have inspired my passions, guided my path, and motivated my actions more than ever this year. I’m thankful for the books that came my way in 2024, and you can see my eight most favorites below.
8. How to Know A Person by David Brooks
How to Know a Person examines ways to recognize others' humanity for deeper connection and understanding, especially in conflict. The author presents the “illuminator” concept—those who seek to identity and amplify the best parts of people instead of disconnecting during challenges. It offers insights on tough conversations, the power of storytelling, and the importance of listening and curiosity. A poignant chapter on the author's friend grappling with depression provided a profound glimpse into the experience of deep sadness, alongside other valuable lessons in the book.
7. Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
Supercommunicators explores why we struggle to connect, suggesting that conflict and bad conversations arise from misaligned kinds of conversations with differing expectations and needs. I appreciated the referenced research and the modern approach to identifying conversation with the goal of greater understanding and connection. In my opinion, one component reinterprets some of Marshall Rosenberg’s non-violent communication framework in a more accessible way. I’ve had success trying out some of the practices in this one and will absolutely be using some of the learnings in my future work.
6. Ask by Jeff Wetzler
The concept of curiosity and striving for understanding has been a core element of 2024. While Ask did not feel like “new” material for me, I loved the deep dive on how simply asking the right kinds of questions and the right time, along with creating environments where people feel comfortable in being open, can help us unlock the collective wisdom of humanity. I would recommend this one to anyone who wants to be a better leader or simply have better conversations anywhere.
5. The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Recognizing this year that it is something that I love, I studied a lot about facilitation and running groups while at the same time growing and creating some groups of my own. The Art of Gathering had countless moments that had me saying “Yes!” and taking a note for use in planning my next event. When you think about it, we spend much of our time meeting with people, whether at home, work, or in our community. So, why not put some intention into our gatherings to make them the best they can be; where you have people leaving inspired and excited from the interaction? This book gives you lots of suggestions on how to do just that.
4. The Art and Science of Connection by Kasley Killam, MD
This book spoke to me around the loneliness crisis, and the why and how we can live healthier and better lives through having strong social connections. Studies have shown that having little to no deep connections with others can be as bad for you as smoking! If you’re a person who loves statistics and data, you’ll love the wealth of scientific info and referenced studies in this one. After setting the stage, the author lays out her suggestions for identifying what kind of connection type you may have before offering suggestions on how to start, grow, and maintain connection and community in your life, no matter your means or schedule.
3. The Age of Insecurity by Astra Taylor
I’ve been thinking about The Age of Insecurity a lot since I read it early in the year. It put words to many thoughts I’ve had about American culture these days. The book discusses “manufactured insecurity” which creates a society of fear, individualism, and consumerism. Research posits that we buy more “stuff” when they’re feeling less secure. We also are less likely to speak up against injustices when we fear things like losing our jobs or public ridicule. This book has me thinking that not only do we have manufactured insecurity, but also manufactured disconnection, in our society. I highly recommend this book. I appreciate the authors way with words while weaving historical context, explaining how we got here, and what we can do about the problem.
2. The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
The Creative Act was popular in 2023. I had been meaning to read it for some time, it was worth the wait. As someone with an art background, I appreciate exploring creativity, and this book by a seasoned music producer and mindfulness advocate Rick Rubin deeply inspired me. I loved the perspectives and ideas in this book, especially that we can create “art” in any moment. You don't need formal training to express creativity; it can happen in conversations, meetings, gatherings, and in almost any moment. We all have a unique perspective and way of being in the world which is a form of creation itself. This book motivated me to embrace creativity and build in many ways in 2024, and I am truly grateful for it.
1. The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
This book, combined with The Creative Act was a powerful combination for my personal and professional work this year. I could not put it down. There were so many moments that spoke to me as a resounding “hell yes!”, as I read through. While The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership was released around 2015, I believe that this framework was ahead of its time. As referenced in The Creative Act, we all have our own unique perspective of the world. Thus, we all have a unique way of modeling leadership. We can practice leadership in our own way, in all walks of life, whether that is at the office, at home, or in community. To me, conscious leadership is leadership that builds and strengthens relationships, and therefore can foster better collaboration and innovation, no matter what your “work” happens to be. This book inspired me to create my own thriving leadership group at work, while also contributing to me being able to speak at two public conferences this year. In a time where people in traditional leadership positions are failing us, I believe it is up to us to practice and model the leadership we want to see in the world. The 15 Commitments provides a roadmap and ways to practice what I see as transformational leadership. I cannot recommend this one enough.
Thanks so much for reading! What were your favorite books of the year? I’d love to hear your thoughts on these and anything else. If you liked this, you can sign up for my newsletter, connect with me via the social links at the bottom of the page, or contact me directly.
