Reviewed Literature
The Compass of a Love Affair with Reading
Books have always been more than just stories or advice to me—they’re mirrors and guides. Reading allows me to step into other people’s experiences, see leadership and human behavior from new angles, and reflect. Combined with years of traveling to different countries and playing sports, these experiences have shown me how people respond under pressure, navigate challenges, and collaborate across diverse cultures.
Reading is also a powerful exercise in imagination. When I'm lost in a book, I'm not just a passive observer—I'm an active participant. I'm building entire worlds in my mind, creating vivid images of characters, settings, and events based on an author's words. This process doesn't just entertain; it actively trains my brain to think with creativity and see possibilities everywhere.
It's this blend of experience and imagination that helps me notice patterns in human behavior, understand what really drives people, and figure out how to create spaces—whether in teams, workplaces, or communities—where people feel supported, motivated, and able to grow. Reading gives me a chance to process those experiences and think about how I show up in the world, making me a more compassionate and creative leader.
Below are some books that have been memorable along the way:
Legacy by James Kerr
Legacy is a masterclass in understanding how culture drives performance and shapes behavior. Through the lens of the All Blacks, Kerr explores leadership principles that are deeply rooted in emotional intelligence—self-awareness, accountability, and trust. Every chapter reinforces how human behavior, when guided by values and clear cultural norms, can transform not just teams, but entire organizations.
What I love most: this book doesn’t just teach “what to do” — it teaches why it matters, showing how intentional culture-building creates sustainable success and legacy.
Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
This book isn’t just about labeling people; it’s about understanding them. Erikson introduces a color-coded system—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—to decode human behavior, helping you communicate more effectively and empathize with different personalities.
What struck me most was how it reinforces what I coach every day: differing behaviors aren’t obstacles—they’re signals. They show how to adapt your approach, strengthen relationships, and lead with emotional intelligence.
Surrounded by Bad Bosses and Lazy Employees by Thomas Erikson
Erikson doesn’t just point fingers; he dives into the root causes of workplace dysfunction and gives practical strategies to manage it. His insights show how behavior patterns, when misunderstood, can derail performance—but when recognized, they become opportunities to improve collaboration and decision-making.
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is the Way is more than a guide to overcoming challenges—it’s a masterclass in turning adversity into advantage. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, Holiday shows that setbacks are not roadblocks but opportunities to grow, adapt, and lead with resilience. The book isn’t just about enduring hardship—it’s about cultivating the mindset and emotional discipline to respond strategically when circumstances test you most.
For leaders, this resonates deeply with the work I do in coaching Emotional Intelligence, understanding human behavior, and shaping high-performing cultures. Every obstacle is a moment to practice self-awareness, regulate emotional reactions, and influence outcomes with clarity and empathy. Holiday’s framework aligns with how leaders can transform friction points—team conflicts, cultural misalignment, or organizational change—into catalysts for stronger collaboration, trust, and engagement.
In essence, The Obstacle Is the Way isn’t just motivational—it’s actionable. It reminds leaders that how we respond to challenges sets the tone for our teams and shapes the culture we create. By applying these principles, leaders not only navigate adversity—they inspire it as a source of growth, innovation, and human connection.
Emotional Intelligence Habits by Travis Bradberry
Travis Bradberry’s Emotional Intelligence Habits is a practical guide for anyone looking to understand themselves and others better. What I love most about it is how it shows that EQ isn’t fixed—it’s something we can develop every day through small, intentional habits.
For leaders, this is especially powerful. The book highlights how building self-awareness, managing emotions, reading social cues, and nurturing relationships directly impacts team trust, collaboration, and culture. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about strategy or results—it’s about human behavior, and the choices we make in how we respond and connect.
The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
Robin Sharma’s The 5 AM Club shows how starting your day with intention—through exercise, reflection, and learning—can dramatically improve focus, resilience, and personal growth. It’s not just about waking up early; it’s about building habits that strengthen self-awareness, emotional regulation, and disciplined decision-making.
For leaders, these habits directly impact how they respond to challenges, influence team behavior, and shape organizational culture. By starting the day grounded and purposeful, leaders model emotional intelligence, foster a positive work environment, and create a culture where focus, accountability, and collaboration thrive.
In short, the book is a practical reminder that how we manage ourselves sets the tone for how our teams engage, perform, and grow.
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory is a guide to shifting focus from trying to control others to mastering how we respond—emotionally and strategically. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t about micromanaging behaviors; it’s about self-awareness, emotional regulation, and choosing how we show up in every interaction.
For leaders and teams, this mindset has a direct impact on culture. By focusing on responses rather than control, leaders can foster trust, encourage autonomy, and build environments where people feel respected and motivated. It’s a practical approach to applying emotional intelligence and understanding human behavior in ways that drive engagement, collaboration, and sustainable results.
Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins’ Awaken the Giant Within is a powerful guide to taking control of your emotions, behaviors, and decisions. Robbins shows that the way we manage our inner world—our beliefs, habits, and emotional triggers—directly shapes the results we create in life and work.
For leaders, this is deeply relevant to emotional intelligence and organizational culture. By understanding human behavior and mastering self-awareness, leaders can influence their teams positively, build trust, and create a culture where people are motivated, resilient, and aligned around shared goals. The book reinforces that personal mastery isn’t just about individual success—it’s about shaping the environment and relationships that drive collective performance.
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last struck me deeply because it reminded me of what truly matters in leadership: people. Reading it, I felt emotional realizing how often talent, trust, and potential are lost in environments where leaders don’t prioritize empathy or connection. The stories of leaders who put their teams first were both inspiring and sobering—it’s a call to lead with heart, not just strategy.
For my coaching work, it reinforced why emotional intelligence, understanding human behavior, and shaping culture are non-negotiable. Leadership isn’t just about decisions or results—it’s about creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and motivated to do their best work. That emotional awareness transforms not only teams but entire organizations
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Reading Extreme Ownership reinforced something I see every day in leadership— when things go wrong, many leaders instinctively look outward instead of inward. What this book reminded me is that true leadership starts with owning everything within your control. That level of accountability takes courage, but it also takes emotional intelligence: the ability to manage your own ego, read human behavior, and build trust instead of blame.
It made me reflect on the cultures I work with—when leaders embrace ownership, teams stop playing defense and start collaborating. Accountability becomes contagious. That shift doesn’t just improve performance, it transforms how people feel at work. For me, this book was a powerful reminder that leadership is about modeling the behavior you want to see in others.