Author Archives

Jeff Brown

The Read to Lead Podcast is hosted by 26-year radio industry veteran Jeff Brown. Jeff is a voracious reader with a passion for non-fiction, specifically personal development, leadership, business, marketing and entrepreneurship.

Jeff has seen from personal experience how intentional and consistent reading can play an integral part in honing one's leadership skills and aide greatly in advancing one's personal growth. Jeff is also a firm believer in the mantra, "Leaders Read and Readers Lead."

Finally, this podcast would not be possible without the inspiration and encouragement of Dan Miller, Michael Hyatt, Jon Acuff and John Lee Dumas.

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508: The 9 Books I’m Most Looking Forward To In 2024

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Like any other year before, there are literally tens of thousands of books set to be released this year. Needless to say, it can be hard whittling down what to pay attention to and what to ignore.

I’ve attempted to take some of the guesswork out of it for you by selecting nine books I’m really looking forward to reading this year.

Here they are in order of their release date.

Note that my first selection is actually a book that came out last week—making it, technically, a 2023 release. But it makes the cut as, well, I was a little busy this past week and am just getting around to diving in.

Trust me when I say you’ll be glad I’m including it here.

1. Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal (December 26, 2023) 

Note: I’ll be interviewing Ali later this month and releasing our conversation in early February.

2. Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters by Brian Klass (January 23, 2024). 

3. The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder by Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao (January 30, 2024)

Note: My interview with coauthor Huggy Rao releases on January 30 to coincide with the book’s release.

4.  Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture Is Bad for Business—and How to Fix It by Malissa Clark (February 6, 2024) 

5. Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being by Sue Varma MD (February 20, 2024)

6. Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg (February 20, 2024) 

7. Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport (March 5, 2024) 

8. Microskills: Small Actions, Big Impact by Adaira Landry and Resa E. Lewiss (April 16, 2024) 

9. Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work by Mithu Storoni (September 17, 2024) 

In addition to the two authors and books on this list I’m already set to feature on the show, I’ll be working to invite as many of the other seven as I can. 

For more detail about each book, listen to the episode

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Finally, thanks for listening and remember, “Leaders read and readers lead.”

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507: Creating a More Human Future in the Era of AI with Brian Evergreen

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These days, like you perhaps, I read just about everything I can get my hands on pertaining to artificial intelligence. Books on this topic a still few, but that’s beginning to change one year removed from the buzz that was the launch of ChatGPT.

brian evergreen

That’s why I was excited to learn about Autonomous Transformation, the new book by Brian Evergreen.

We are in the midst, Brian says, of an unprecedented degree of technology-driven change at the same time that society faces challenges more complex than our organizations and we as individuals have been prepared to handle.

We have all borne witness to the changes, for better and for worse, that technology has had on society, our nations, cities, the nature of work, and the human experience—but technology is neither the hero nor the villain of this story.

Brian’s book is for leaders who want to create a better future within this context of change and supplies a balance of historical and theoretical context with practical frameworks for beginning to create a more human future today.

The book provides a blueprint for leaders and managers who have aspired or attempted to harness artificial intelligence and its adjacent technologies for the betterment of their organization and the world, weaving strategy, management thinking, economics, systemic design, and philosophy into actionable steps with accompanying frameworks to create and sustain Profitable Good.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Brian and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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506: Leading With Questions with Bob Tiede

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Easily the highlight of my career was the 13+ years I spent with WAY-FM Media Group from 2000 to 2013. My time there included having Dusty Rhodes as a colleague.

bob tiede

Dusty recently reached out and introduced me to author Bob Tiede. Bob is the man behind the blog Leading With Questions, inspired by the book we’re featuring today.

That book is indeed called Leading With Questions: How Leaders Discover Powerful Answers by Knowing How and What to Ask, written with Dr. Michael J. Marquardt.

In this newly revised third edition, Bob and Michael describe how to ask powerful questions that generate short-term and long-term results and success. They show you how effective leaders use questions to encourage participation and teamwork, foster creative thinking, empower others, create relationships with customers, and solve problems.

And, they offer step-by-step guidance on the process of learning the art of questioning and techniques―like active listening and follow-ups – you can use in myriad situations with individuals, teams, and entire organizations.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Bob and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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505: The Family First Entrepreneur with Steve Chou

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Years ago, I remember coming across a podcast and blog called My Wife Quit Her Job. I had no idea then that, one day, the creator of this content would one day appear on my podcast.

steve chou

But then, he wrote a book. And our mutual friend, Jeff Goins, suggested an introduction. I’m glad he did.

Steve and his wife’s story, is a fascinating one, and one I can’t wait for you to learn more about in this episode.

His new book is all about how to create the life you’ve always wanted, without sacrificing your relationships—as so many often do—in the process. It’s called The Family First Entrepreneur: How to Achieve Financial Freedom Without Sacrificing What Matters Most.

We all want a comfortable life with plenty of time for family and friends. This vision is what inspired Steve to strike out on his own over a decade ago. But what he found was a nonstop schedule of never-ending work that wore him and his family down.

The hallmarks of modern business are making people miserable, Steve, says, and preventing them from enjoying life’s greatest gifts. Business owners get stuck on the hamster wheel of hustle only to end up burned out and looking for a better way.

For fifteen years, Steve has run two successful seven-figure businesses in twenty hours a week or fewer, leaving plenty of time for family, friends, and leisure. In the book, he shares profound insights and practical advice on business and life, demonstrating that you can, in fact, pursue your dream without sacrificing what matters most.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Steve and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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504: Speak Up or Stay Stuck with Pam Marmon

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Today’s guest is making her second appearance on the podcast. Her first was back in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. That book, called No One’s Listening and It’s Your Fault was geared to leaders.

pam marmon

Her new book is intended for managers and employees. It’s all about navigating the inevitable periods of change within an organization. It’s called Speak Up or Stay Stuck: Get Your Voice Heard When Fast and Forced Change Happens In the Workplace.

Your company is changing, Pam says, whether you like it or not. As a manager, you are expected to make that transformation happen, yet you feel voiceless, unseen, and unrepresented.

Change is not the enemy. It’s inevitable and it could be the key to your success. In Speak Up or Stay Stuck, Pam unpacks a practical framework for implementing organizational change while ensuring your voice is heard. Finally: the key to amplifying your message without jeopardizing your job.

You’ll discover how to communicate with senior leaders while effectively advocating for yourself and your team. Reclaim control and ownership of your work, grow your organizational change resilience, and find new ways to thrive when fast and forced change hits your workplace.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Pam and her work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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