Lucas Spielfogel
Executive director, Baton Rouge Youth Coalition
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
By Steven R. Covey
I’ve been reading and rereading 7 Habits for the last eight months, and we are even planning on incorporating elements of the book into BRYC’s curriculum. That’s part of what I love about it: It’s helpful for people of all ages in all life contexts. I recommend the book to anyone, but particularly to people who, like me, can be so outcomes-focused that they unintentionally forget to nurture the most important relationships in their professional and personal lives—the relationships on which the outcomes depended in the first place.
Kris Cangelosi
Artistic director, Cangelosi Dance Project
Leadership is an Art
By Max Depree
Leadership is an Art is a highly recommended read for all practices. DePree views leaders as agents, highlighting the importance of structure in relationships. This leadership style is dependent on an understanding of the beliefs and abilities of each person in the organization. It requires a covenant rather than a contract. DePree’s message for leaders is first to have a strong belief system, to define reality and always say thank you.
Kristy Nichols
State Commissioner of Administration
Born to Run
By Christopher McDougall
The message behind Born to Run is simple. Everything worth doing requires strength, patience, cooperation, dedication and persistence. And you have to love it. Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, a runner and writer, tracks the Tarahumara Indians, a remote tribe located in the Copper Canyons of Mexico, who are described as the world’s best ultra-distance runners. Born to Run tells us of the great perseverance of this tribe, their passion and gift for running, while also giving us insight into the pure insanity and hilarity of distance runners.
