Recommended Reading List
It can be easy to get caught in the details. As leaders, it’s important to keep up with current trends and research. These articles include the best and brightest in our field.
—Heather Kaye
Recommended TED talks
Recommendations
from EC Leaders
Hannah Arendt: The Life of the Mind, Eichmann in Jerusalem
Joanna Barsh: Centered Leadership; How Remarkable Women Lead
Janine Benyus: Biomimicry in Action TED Talk
Juana Bordas: Salsa, Soul and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age
Rachel Carson: Silent Spring
Sheila Wellington: Advancing Women in Business — The Catalyst Guide: Best Practices from Corporate Leaders
Amy Cuddy: Presence
Amy Edmondson: Building the Future: Big Teaming for Audacious Innovation
Mary Parker Follett: The Essentials of Leadership
Erica Ariel Fox: Winning From Within
Julia Galef: TED Talk on Why You think You’re Right — Even if You’re Wrong
Mary Gentile: Giving Voice to Values: How to Speak Your Mind When You Know What’s Right
Judith Glaser: The DNA of Leadership
Tracy Goss, The Last Word on Power
Sunil Govinnage: Washington Post article: I read books by only minority authors for a year. It showed me just how white our reading world is.
Sally Helgesen: The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership
Herminia Ibarra: Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader
Van Jones: Rebuild the Dream
Rosabeth Moss Kanter: The Change Masters; When Giants Learn to Dance
Phyllis Korki: The Big Thing
Anne Lamott: Bird by Bird
Kathy Lubar, Leadership Presence
Nelson Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom
Kelly McGonigal: The Science of Compassion; The Willpower Instinct
Donelli Meadows, Thinking in Systems
Fred Miller: Opening Doors to Teamwork and Collaboration
Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch: Leading From the Front- No Excuse Leadership Tactics for Women
Virginia O’Brien: Success on Our Own Terms: Tales of Extraordinary Business Women
Queen Elizabeth I’s Speech to the Troops at Tilbury and The Golden Speech
Lynn Sharp Paine: Value Shift
Brute Regine, Iron Butterflies
Jeannine Sandstrom and Lee Smith: Legacy Leadership
Karlin Sloan: Smarter, Faster, Better
Diana Smith: The Elephant in the Room: How Relationships Make or Break the Success of Leaders and Organizations
Amy Jen Su: Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence
Chade-Meng Tan: Search Inside Yourself
David Thomas: Breaking Through
Rosalinda Torres TED Talk on What it Takes to be a Great Leader
Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman
Barbara Waugh: The Soul in the Computer: The Story of a Corporate Revolutionary
Fields Wicker-Miurin: TED Talk on Learning From Leadership’s Missing Manual
Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle, by Brené with Emily and Amelia Nagoski, Spotify, March 22, 2021
Christine Runyan — What’s Happening in Our Nervous Systems?, by Krista Tippett, On Being—Apple Podcast, March 18, 2021
The New Rules of Leadership, by Brene Brown and Abby Wambach, Dare to Lead—Spotify Podcast, March 17, 2021
Four Reasons You’re Tired of Zoom Calls — and What To Do About It, by Paulina Firozi and Allyson Chiu, Washington Post, March 3, 2021
Leading From Anywhere: Coaching Leaders of Remote Teams, by David Burkus, Institute of Coaching on Venmo, February 25, 2021
CoachX Conversations: Paul Zak on the Neuroscience of Connection, by Jeff Hull and Paul Zak, Institute of Coaching on Venmo, February 17, 2021
How to Stay Optimistic (When Everything Is Awful), by Paulina Firozi and Allyson Chiu, Harvard Business Review, February 25, 2021
Stanford Researchers Identify Four Causes for ‘Zoom fatigue’ and their Simple Fixes, by Bill Taylor, Stanford, February 23, 2021
Brené with Kevin Oakes on Cultural Renovation, by Kevin Oakes and Brené Brown, Brené Brown’s Website, January 11, 2021
7 Steps for Mindful Performance Reviews, by Bridgette Morehouse, Mindful Leader, December 8, 2020
What Inclusive Leaders Sound Like, by Noah Zandan and Lisa Shalett, Harvard Business Review, November 19, 2020
Self-Compassion Will Make You a Better Leader, by Rich Fernandez and Steph Stern, Harvard Business Review, November 9, 2020
Anyone Can Learn to Be a Better Leader, by Monique Valcour, Harvard Business Review, November 4, 2020
Maintaining Organizational Soul While Onboarding In A Remote World, by Rajshree Agarwal, Forbes, September 8, 2020
Ending Racism: How to Change the World in One Generation, by Justin Michael Williams, Justin Michael Williams Blog, August 28, 2020
Reimagining the office and work life after COVID-19, by Brodie Boland, Aaron De Smet, Rob Palter, and Aditya Sanghvi, McKinsey & Company, June 8, 2020
17 Ways to Boost Employee Morale During COVID-19 That Aren’t Happy Hours, by Lucy Leonard, Namely Blog, April 27, 2020
COVID-19 Recovery: Preparing Your Organization and Volunteer Program, by Galaxy Digital, April 15, 2020
Planning For A Post-COVID Environment, by David Levin, Chief Executive, April 1, 2020
Welcome! Onboarding New Employees Is Key to Hiring Success, by Emily Heaslip, US Chamber of Commerce, February 6, 2020
The Intersectionality Wars, by Jane Coaston, Vox, May 28, 2019
Why Opening Up at Work Is Harder for Minorities, by Katherine Phillips, Harvard Business Review, August 7, 2018
How Meditation Changes Your Brain — and Your Life, by Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson, Lion’s Roar, May 7, 2018
How to use subliminal messaging to your advantage in business and in life, by Jeff Stibel, USA Today, March 27, 2018
The 4 Underlying Principles Of Changing Your Brain, by Tara Swart, Forbes, March 27, 2018
How showing vulnerability helps build a stronger team, by Daniel Coyle, TED.ITEAS, February 20, 2018
Yes, It’s Hard to be a Man in the #MeToo #TimesUp Era. And it Should Be., by Tom Krattenmaker, USA Today, January 17 – 2018
How to Employers Accountable During the #TimesUp and #Metoo Movement, by Melissa Jun Rowley, Forbes, January 29 – 2018
Why Some Women Can’t Get Behind #MeToo—But Wouldn’t Dare Admit It, by Paula Fernandes, Chatelaine , January 9, 2018
Why sexual harassment training doesn’t stop harassment, by Jena McGregor, The Washington Post—On Leadership, November 17, 2017
4 Steps to Clearer Communications, by The Chronicle of Philanthropy – October 10, 2017
15 New Fundraising Ideas That Worked, by The Chronicle of Philanthropy – August 1, 2017
Is Your Nonprofit Built for Sustained Innovation?, by Standford Social Innovation Review – August 1, 2017
How to Do Less and Live More, by Kris Carr – June 2017
The Gratitude of Leaders, by The Coach Initiative – July 16, 2017
5 Smart Fundraising Tips From Wealthy Donors, by Maria Di Mento, The Chronicles of Philanthropy – September 7, 2017
Superwealthy Donors Say Fundraisers Who Do Their Homework Get the Big Gifts, by Maria Di Mento, The Chronicles of Philanthropy – June 22, 2017
The Most Charitable Cities in America, by Ben Paynter, Fast Company – June 6, 2017
What Sets Successful CEOs Apart?, by Elena Lytkina Botelho, Kim Rosenkoetter Powell, Stephen Kincaid, Dina Wan, Harvard Business Review – May/June Issue, 2017
What makes a CEO ‘exceptional?’, by Michael Birshan, Thomas Meakin, and Kurt Strovink, McKinsey & Company – April 2017
How to Overcome Executive Isolation, by Ron Ashkenas, Harvard Business Review – February 2, 2017
Advice for Nonprofit Leaders: How to Navigate an Unpredictable Political Landscape., by Peter Fissinger, Nonprofit News – January 30, 2017
Battle Lines Being Drawn Between Trump, Rest Of GOP, On Tax Reform: Where Do They Stand?, by Tony Nitti , Forbes – January 19, 2017
Nonprofit Workplace Challenges Predicted for 2017, Nonprofit Times – January 6, 2017
Nonprofits Need to Stand Together to Push for Smart Public Policies, by Tim Delaney and David L. Thompson, The Chronicle of Philanthropy – January 4, 2017
Nonprofits and Trump’s First 100 Days, by Andy Segedin , Nonprofit Times – January 3, 2017
5 Fundraising Topics You’ll Need to Master in 2017, The Chronicle of Philanthropy – January 3, 2017
National Council of Nonprofits’ 2017 Public Policy Agenda, National Council of Nonprofits – January, 2017
Uncertainty: D.C.-area nonprofits gear up for a Trump administration, by Carolyn M. Proctor, Washington Business Journal – December 16, 2016
10 ways the nonprofit sector must adapt to the new reality, by Vu Le, Nonprofit with Balls – November, 2016
Pausing to Acknowledge: Is There Election-Related Trauma in Your Workplace?, by Ruth McCambridge, Nonprofit Quarterly – November 10, 2016
Heeding the Voice of the Woman Donor, by Andrea Pactor, LinkedIn – November 3, 2016
Women Power and That Thing We Do, by Terrie Lupburger, The Huffington Post – October 10, 2016
Stop touting the crazy hours you work. It helps no one., by Jena McGregor, The Washington Post, On Leadership – September 1, 2016
Working more than 55 hours a week is bad for you–in many ways, by Jena McGregor, The Washington Post, On Leadership – August 24, 2016
The weird thing that happens when you put more women in the boardroom, by Danielle Paquette, The Washington Post, Wonkblog – May 24, 2016
Hey foundation trustees, come get a beer with us, by Vu Le, Nonprofits with Balls – May 31, 2016
The Elements of Uncomfortable Work Conversations, HRB Video – May 20, 2016
The Work Conversations We Dread the Most, According to Research, by Kerry Jones, Harvard Business Review – April 11, 2016
Dear Business People, Please Stop Bizplaining Things to Us Nonprofit Folks, Nonprofit with Balls – March 21, 2016
Want to be a better leader? Observe more and react less, by Manish Chopra, McKinsey Report – February, 2016
To Be an Authentic Leader, Practice Every Day, by Bruce Jones, Harvard Business Review – February 16, 2016
Viewpoint: Greater Washington nonprofits can’t keep working in isolation, by Lisa Helfert, The Washington Business Journal – February 12, 2016
The Art and Science of Well Being at Work by Lucia Rahilly, McKinsey&Company – February 2016
10 Steps for Success as a Nonprofit CEO, by Atul Tandon, The Chronicle of Philanthropy – February 11, 2016
How People Learn to become Resilient, by Maria Konnikova, The New Yorker – February 11, 2016
To Better Copy with Stress Listen To Your Body, by Gretchen Reynolds, New York Times – January 13, 2016
Empowered Women Are Changing Philanthropy. These Experts Explain How, by Kiersten Marek, Inside Philanthropy – January 13, 2016
Research Based Ways to Win at Work, by Sarah Green Carmichael, Harvard Business Review – December 28, 2105
Nine Leadership Books to Watch out for in 2016, by Jena McGregor, The Washington Post – December 28, 2015
Your grandmother was right. Slouching is bad for you–and maybe your career, by Jena McGregor, The Washington Post – December 16, 2015
What Amazing Bosses Do Differently, by Sydney Finkelstein, Harvard Business Review – November 27, 2015
Can Nonprofits Switch from Scarcity to Abundance Mindsets When It Comes to Self Care?, by Beth Kanter- November 27, 2015
5 Habits of Truly Disruptive Leaders, by Faisal Hoque, Fast Company – November 9, 2015
What Generous People’s Brains Do Differently by Nicole Torres, Harvard Business Review – October 1, 2015
From Anguish to Balance, Standfords Social Innovation Review – September 1, 2015
Scientists to Charities: You’re doing it all Wrong, by Michael Anft, The Chronicle of Philanthropy – March 30, 2015
What Science Says About Fundraising, The Chronicle of Philanthropy – March 30, 2015
Better than Before, by Gretchen Rubin | March 2015
Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice, by Principles for Good – January 2015
Before the Law, by Jennifer Gonnerman | The New Yorker – 6 October 2014
Why I Hope to Die at 75, by Ezekiel J. Emanuel | The Atlantic – October 2014
The Many, Many, Many Things You Should Say “No” to at Work, by David Zax | Fast Company – 10 October 2014
Be Nice. Fund Results. Minimize Hassle. Help Out, by Kevin Starr | The New York Times – 27 October 2014
How to Practice Self-compassion, by Emma Seppala | Spirituality & Health – 28 October 2014
Cultural Coaching: Knowing When to Shut Up, by Erin Meyer | Harvard Business Review — January 2014
A Big Heart Open to God: A Conversation with Pope Francis, by Antonio Spadaro | America: The National Catholic Review – 30 September 2013
Triple-Strength Leadership, by Nick Lovegrove and Matthew Thomas | Harvard Business Review – September 2013
Jonathan Klein of Getty Images, on Useful Critiques, by Adam Bryant | The New York Times – 28 September 2013
Six Ways to Grow Your Job, by Herminia Ibarra | HBR Blog Network – 25 September 2013
NOBODY’S LOOKING AT YOU: Eileen Fisher and the art of understatement, by Janet Malcolm | The New Yorker – 23 September 2013
Four Areas Where Leaders Should Focus, by Peter Bregman | HBR Blog Network – 3 September 2013
Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?, by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic | HBR Blog Network – 22 August 2013
It’s Time to Cut Through the Hype of Impact Investing, by William Burckart | The Chronicle of Philanthropy – 19 August 2013
Unease at the Clinton Foundation Over Finances and Ambitions, by Nicholas Confessore and Amy Chozick | The New York Times – 13 August 2013
The Most Successful Leaders Do 15 Things Automatically, Every Day, by Glenn Llopis | Forbes.com – 18 February 2013
Hanh LeGroupon’s CEO writes the best resignation letter ever, by Brad Plumer | The Washington Post WonkBlog – 1 March 2013
Leadership Renewal: From Good to Great, by Susan Collin Marks | Skoll World Forum and Forbes – 9 April 2013