The Well Lived Life (McGarey, 2023)

In The Well Lived Life, we meet Gladys McGarey, MD, a 102-year-old physician who has served her fellow man for most of her life and continues to practice her trade as a centenarian. In this book, Dr. McGarey shares with warmth and authenticity her six secrets to living a healthy, happy, and purpose-filled life.

At a young age, Gladys accompanied her physician parents when they cared for for indigent patients in India. What she learned about service carried over into her own journey. She faced many challenges, including not being taken seriously as a female physician at a time when there were few women in medicine. Dr. McGarey pioneered a holistic approach to medicine that encompasses not only the physical, but the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of health and wellness. She went on to become the founder of the American Holistic Association.

McGarey weaves together her philosophy and wisdom with personal anecdotes and practical advice gleaned from years of practicing medicine. She draws on her life experiences working with different cultures and traditions to connect with readers from various backgrounds.

She encourages readers to find their own unique path and passion to pursue a well-lived life. She intersperses her book with thought-provoking reflections and introspective practices and exercises to guide the reader to embark on a journey of growth and self-awareness.

HBR IdeaCast: When Strong Stresses Lead to Big Problems (Episode 918, July 11, 2023: https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/06/when-small-stresses-lead-to-big-problems)

Harvard Business Review's (HBR) podcast, IdeaCast, is a treasure chest of brief but engaging conversations with top thought leaders on a variety of topics related to leadership. Hosted by HBR editor Allison Beard, the July 11th podcast explored the topic of microstress with authors Karen Dillon and Rob Cross who wrote the book The Microstress Effect and the HBR article "The Hidden Toll of Microstress." Although it's easy to see how larger life stressors such as divorce or illness can wreak havoc, the everyday stress that may appear insignificant is cumulative and can have long-term, devastating effects on individuals, teams, and organizations.

From years of research and interviews with high performers, Dillon and Brooks developed a list of the 14 most common microstressors, such as unpredictable authority figures, inefficient communication practices, and misaligned roles and responsibilities. They explain the science behind microstress and discuss how to recognize and manage its sources. One of their fascinating findings is that people are often the cause of microstress in our lives, but they're also part of the solution. There are ways individuals can mitigate the effects and improve personal relationships and well-being, which can have a positive impact on our organizations.

Leading Change (Kotter, 2012)

A must read for healthcare leaders, John Kotter's Leading Change is based on extensive research and personal experiences and provides a road map for navigating the challenges of leading change within organizations. First written in 1996, Leading Change continues to remain relevant as a resource for those leading in today's turbulent healthcare environment.

Kotter affirms that most change initiatives fall flat and don't result in positive results because of a lack of effective leadership and a haphazard approach to effectuating long-lasting change. This book outlines a structured approach that will help leaders combat the inertia that often exists within an organization. Kotter's famous eight-step framework promises to counteract eight fundamental errors that often undermine successful transformation efforts. The framework focuses on creating a shared vision and fostering commitment and buy-in from employees, emphasizing the human side of change.

Kotter's book is easy to read and provides a tried-and-true guide to leading any level of change, whether you're planning a performance improvement initiative or designing the transformation of an organization-wide culture. His real-world examples and case studies illustrate how to put the framework into action. Leading Change provides practical guidance in fostering a culture of adaptability in today's dynamic workplace and should be on the bookshelf of all those involved in making lasting change.