Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

The idea of change is not new, not revolutionary, and is not complex. The people required to to execute said change however, are sometimes new, sometimes revolutionary and almost alway complex. The Heath brothers, Dan and Chip explore the the application of change and the intricacies that make individual or organizational redirection complicated. Switch is a quick and easy read that offers everyone, regardless of their positional authority a process by which to think about change.

Switch navigates change through three avenues

• The Rational Rider

• The Emotional Elephant

• Shaping the Path

Each avenue is relatable and somewhat of a no brainer but in the context of successful application and enduring success these obvious courses require subtle and yet deliberate action.

Guests of the Ayatollah: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam

Mark Bowden’s book, “Guest of the Ayatollah” is a unique perspective of the Iran hostage crisis that spanned 444 days and directly impacted the lives of hundreds and engrossed the millions within both nations. What appears to be a new experience to some cultures today, is not new in scope or time of world events. This book is a detailed reminder of existing political, social and cultural differences and how easy this differences when ignored can ignite into an event that develops a life of its own.

This text is a reminder to us all to how easy it is to forget our own history and experiences and stumble through current events as though they were new and undiscovered. A detailed account of the events that directly effected the initial 66, then 52 hostages as they endeavored to survive a situation that appeared to have no end.

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Nobel laureate, Daniel Kahneman’s 2011 book, Thinking, Fast and Slow is a complex investigation into our personal actions, reactions, instinctual problem solving applications, and so much more. Decades of Dr. Kahneman’s and Dr. Tversky’s research and writing is brought forth in this text with an attempt to explain the why and how we apply two separate sides of our brain to every action and thought. Depending on the framing and complexity of the thoughts and actions may not play as significant a role on what side of the brain will answer first and more importantly, answer definitively.

The book uses a two system explanation of how our minds work. System 1 is described as the part of the brain that thinks fast, with emotion and reacts to instinct. System 2 is the slow portion of the brain. With system 2 we see logic and deliberate thought applied to problem solving. Both systems combined lead to interesting conversations and logic trails all regarding ones own ability for proper judgement.

While not an overnight read, here is one book, which will cause you to think about thinking.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

This is author and journalist, Malcolm Gladwell’s first of five thought provoking books. His other titles, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Outliers: The Story of Success, What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures, a collection of his journalism, and David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants all reached the New York Times top 100. This sociological, psychological and research centric exploration of why some ideas, fads, concepts and movements tip beyond a local phenomenon and become nationally or world renowned in contrast to other, arguably, equally as important events.

In the beginning of the book Malcolm explores the need for connectors, mavens and salesmen as essential to creating a social epidemic. He then moves on to discuss what he calls”the stickiness factor” or how do social constructs and ideas bind themselves to the larger audience. Finally, Malcolm explores the idea of social context (perspective) and its role on society.

While some of Gladwell’s ideas appear too simple or basic for true effectiveness, and some of his original ideas have fallen under criticism for the overt generality of certain complex issues, his overall premise remains compelling and even if not agreed upon, at least worth the exploration in an attempt to broaden ones own possibilities. The Tipping Point is worth ones investment of time.

When the Poor Boys Dance

In this odyssey of a young marine, we place ourselves in the shoes of one who is struggling to overcome the adversity of mind and body. Based on a true story, G.F. Borden tries to bring you along on one man's search for meaning and what it truly means to overcome the obstacles placed before you.  "When the Poor Boys Dance" is not your typical soldiering story.  Whether looking for some individual perspective or searching for a text to engage others in a professional development discussion, this book is perfect for the newly enlisted, the freshly commissioned or the recently retired.  Age has no bounds when it comes to understanding humanity's struggle to overcome challenges placed before them.