The favorite book from....
The current period also lends itself well to reading a new book. As inspiration for a possible next book, each of our team shares his or her favorite book. and explains why you should read it.
Discover your strengths 2.0 - Tom Rath
What it's about:
Everyone pays attention to what they are doing wrong. Teams are built with talent. This book is going to make you see how to do that forever.
Why exactly this book:
It's a book I came home to. Too many times in my life I have been judged for mistakes and then heard what I couldn't do... And I know, that's quite a lot. But I also have a lot of things that I can do and very well! Talent so... Developing talent gives me pride, pleasure, self-confidence and my environment needs me more than ever. This book has really influenced my life and insight into people's behavior more than any other book. It is so fundamental and so in retrospect would have been very good for any teacher to know. My talent I could have explored even further from a young age....
The new bicycle - Dirk Jan Roeleven
What it's about:
An Italian bicycle maker repairs the road bike of a stranded Dutchman for free. This cyclist then solemnly promises that one day he will return to buy a new (handmade) Cucchietti bicycle. And that he will then ride home across the Alps on this new bike. Solo.
Twelve years later, he is fulfilling that promise.
Why exactly this book:
On his journey across the Alps, he encounters himself. Mentally and physically. The book is about perseverance but also how to deal with disappointments in your life. The author reflects on his life so far and also processes the early death of his father. For me, the book is a wonderful form of identification. I know the author personally and, like him, have a great fondness for (good) music, sports and romance. The little boy in the man ...
Humor, sometimes swallowing and lots of recognition....
(ps. just this spring Dirk Jan was on DWDD along with Stef Bos praising the book to the skies. It earned him a huge reprint)
Origins - Dan Brown
What it's about:
Robert Langdon (main character) is invited to the unveiling an important scientific discovery. A flamboyant billionaire has organized the evening to make his discovery known to the world, but when the evening ends in chaos, his discovery is in danger of being lost forever. In a race against time, the protagonist must find the billionaire's discovery before their dangerous adversary with powerful friends beats them to it.
Why exactly this book:
The book is based on historical and scientific facts interwoven with an exciting fictional story. This very book translates to what energizes me in both my work and private life. Based on my experience, and knowledge gained, developing new strategies (business) or hobbies (private) that provide a dose of good excitement.
My Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
What it's about:
Student meets his favorite, terminally ill professor of Sociology again after 16 years and together they discuss life with all its facets: Marriage, Family, Death, Aging, Talking about emotions, etc.
Why exactly this book:
This book takes me out of my daily, fast-paced life and puts it back into perspective vab what really matters in life. Author/Student Mitch Albom is a very successful sportscaster in America and with each visit to his ailing professor he becomes more humane, calmer and as he writes himself "a more pleasant person. Incredibly beautiful book, which I have given more than 75x as gifts to friends, participants, former colleagues.
Black Box Thinking - Matthew Syed
What it's about:
A great book (in English) comparing how certain industries learn from mistakes or try to keep mistakes out of the spotlight. With sometimes dire consequences! The most interesting part is yet to come. There appears to be a very human psychological (defense) mechanism behind it. That insight is going to lead you to a lot of aha moments, even on a smaller scale!
Why exactly this book:
From the beginning of my professional career, human behavior has fascinated me. Why does one do what one does, where does that behavior come from? How do I recognize patterns? In my leadership roles, as a consultant and in my role as a trainer, I have tremendous opportunities to observe on a daily basis. This book beautifully demonstrates how, also at the meta- and meso-level, psychological mechanisms have a huge impact on our thinking, actions and thus on society.
The chimp paradox - Dr. Steve Peters
What it's about:
The book explains in a very understandable and accessible way how our brains work and why we do what we do, both positively and negatively.
Why exactly this book:
From my training as a counselor and my interest in psychology, I find people's brains and behavior fascinating. Why do people do what they do or don't do and why is that? This book explains precisely and accessibly what happens in your head using a powerful metaphor. It also contains tools and tips that can help you with issues you encounter with yourself or others. Everyone should at least know the basics and recognize them in themselves. That alone will create peace and space for yourself (and others). So read the book and get to know your chimpanzee, your human and your computer.
Most people are virtuous - Rutger Bregman
For the past two years, I have discovered audiobooks through the library app. What an invention! This way I can walk or do chores and listen to books at the same time. There are lots of great books I have listened to recently but this is the one I still think about very often.
What it's about:
The book is about humanity and whether people tend to do the good or the bad. In light of our courses Thinking in possibilities or in problems super interesting. From 1900 onwards, there have been studies that have been used for the analysis of humanity time and time again. World famous studies that I had all heard of. From those studies conclusions have been drawn and humanity has often been judged with them. And news it is only when shocking results can be communicated.
Why exactly this book:
What's super interesting is that Rutger revisits the studies and puts the results in a completely different light. And what turns out? Human beings aren't so bad. Most people are all right! What we are all inclined to do is dwell on the anomaly and draw conclusions from it. And I immediately recognize this in my daily behavior. I say nothing about the fact that my two adolescent children cooked wonderfully but spontaneously mention that the kitchen is a huge mess. What a missed opportunity to compliment. I say; this book is highly recommended!
The smart body; How our senses influence our choices - Thalma Lobel
What it's about:
What our senses perceive influences us in everything we do. Color, temperature and smell but also weight, contrast, texture - all physical stimuli affect us every day. This book makes scientific research on embodied cognition accessible. Much of the world we register very consciously through our senses. But we are also unconsciously influenced in all sorts of mind-boggling ways by the physical experiences our senses transmit. This book shows you the effects of sensory influence and gives you tips on how to use them in your daily life.
Why exactly this book:
That we consciously and unconsciously influence each other, I obviously already knew that as a behavioral trainer. Both in my work and in my private life, I am committed to using this knowledge to make a difference. The goal is to let people grow in communication and contact. The Smart Body is unprecedented when talking about unconscious influence. All conclusions are based on repeated scientific research and translated in such a way that you can use them practically. Many of the sensory stimuli last only a short time. However, the effects or decisions triggered can have long-lasting consequences. They affect our behavior at a (business) appointment and can play a role in our effectiveness during a meeting. After reading this book, you will never just hand a glass of ice-cold water to a client, sit yourself down on a soft chair during a negotiation or send that important quotation on 80 gram A4 paper.
The Taste of the Wadden - Annette van Ruitenburg & Ruth de Ruwe
What it's about:
The writers tour the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and its islands and they met many people who have a story to tell, about nature, adventure, culture and history and they tasted special Wadden products with which the restaurants prepare delicious dishes.
Why exactly this book:
It is a wonderful book with beautiful impressive photos and many special facts about each island specifically (Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog and Rottum). Also the special recipes of the chefs who use the Wadden Sea and the island as food. When we go on vacation with our sailing boat to the Wadden Islands, I grab the book again for a touch of the Wadden and a taste of what awaits me, ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.