539: Why You Need to Read Multiple Books at the Same Time

Have you ever found yourself stuck with a book that just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere? You pick it up, hoping to power through, but instead, it feels like you’re wading through molasses. We’ve all been there, and it can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you have a pile of unread books waiting for you. But what if I told you that there’s a way to keep your reading momentum going without abandoning books altogether?

That’s where the idea of interleaving books comes in. It’s a concept that suggests reading multiple books at the same time—say, three to five—and switching between them regularly to keep things fresh and exciting. This isn’t about multitasking; it’s about maximizing engagement and motivation. So, let’s explore how this works and why it might be just what you need to reignite your love for reading.

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538: Efficiency Unleashed: Harnessing AI in the Workplace with Jeff Frownfelter

Today marks a first ever and a second ever. Let’s take the second, first.

Today’s episode marks only the second time in the history of Read to Lead where the guest is not promoting a book but is, rather, here simply because of their expertise in a specific area.

Jeff Brown

And the “first” is that it’s the first time I’ve ever invited on a guest that I attended high school with!

That was a long time ago. In fact, we graduated 40 years ago this year.

My guest is Jeff Frownfelter. Jeff has spent virtually his entire career in IT, even before they were calling it that. He is also someone who, because of his coding expertise, has taken quite naturally to using AI in his every day life.

Jeff is well ahead of his IT peers when it comes to his AI use. This gives him an advantage. One that you, too, need to consider for the sake of your work.

AI won’t likely replace you and your job in the future. But it’s quite likely that someone using AI will.

I felt who better than my long-time friend and fellow graduate, Jeff, to help us better understand why we should be using AI in our every day work, and how to actually go about it.

Keep scrolling for more on this episode, or click the play button to listen to the episode now.

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537: The Mastery Blueprint: 3 Steps to Becoming the Best You

Mastery is considered by some to be an illusive concept. I hope to dispel that rumor once and for all with this short, concise, and easy-to-follow episode, all about mastery and self-improvement (our theme this month inside the Read to Lead Community).

To join us for future AMAs and Guest Expert sessions, or to peruse our entire library free for two weeks, go here.

Okay, let’s dive right in!

Whether it’s a professional skill or a personal hobby, the journey to mastery is something we all can embark on. Let’s explore what it takes to achieve it.

To guide us on this journey, we’ll be drawing from the wisdom of great minds like Richard Feynman, Scott H. Young, and other experts who have devoted their lives to understanding learning and mastery.

So, grab your notebook and let’s get started.

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536: Celebrating 11 Years: The Most Influential Books of the Read to Lead Podcast

Welcome, welcome, welcome! You’re listening to the Read to Lead Podcast, and I’m your host, Jeff Brown. Today is an incredibly special day because we’re celebrating 11 years of this podcast! 🎉

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of speaking with some of the brightest minds and discussing some of the most transformative books out there.

So, in honor of our 11th anniversary, I thought it would be fitting to look back at 11 of the most influential books I’ve read since starting this journey. Each of these books has left a lasting impact on me and, I hope, on you too.

Let’s dive right in, shall we? For a complete list of the books, just scroll down.

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535: Negotiating Tips From a Former FBI Negotiator and a TOP DC Publicist

Adele Gambardella, a celebrated PR strategist and crisis management consultant, has worked with major clients like Facebook and President Joe Biden, and has been honored as a “Woman Who Means Business” by the Washington Business Journal.

adele and chipo

Chip Massey, a former FBI hostage negotiator, brings his expertise from 20+ years in law enforcement to the business world, teaching sophisticated negotiation techniques to leaders at companies like Goldman Sachs and Samsung.

Together, they combine their unique backgrounds to offer unparalleled insights into negotiation and communication strategies.

From CEOs communicating with board members to managers negotiating salary increases and entrepreneurs looking to raise capital, it’s impossible to overstate the role of persuasion in making your personal and professional goals a reality, say Adele and Chip.

The ability to convince others―respectfully and effectively―is one of the most important skills you can master, whatever your profession.

In Convince Me, you’ll find eye-opening, behind-the-scenes details revealing how some of the best in the business ply their trade.

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

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