Reading

I enjoy expanding my understanding of personal and professional areas of interest. I’m quite ol’ skool in much preferring a physical book in my hand as opposed to a kindle or audio book. There’s so many forms of data these days but a traditional book is still for me the best out there. A quick glance at someone’s home library can reveal so much about a person; their focus, interests and maybe even whole outlook and approach to life.

My favourite books are those that blur the lines between my professional and personal interests - typically sport, business and more recently history & politics but mostly just an understanding of people in whatever form that may be.

The most powerful book I have read is a biography about Robert Enke - A Life Too Short by Ronald Reng. Robert Enke was a professional footballer at the top of the game but despite this had many personal demons and tragically took his own life at the age of 32. It showcases the hidden demons even the most successful people suffer with and the devastating impact of these. Its a fabulous read despite the fact that it was meant to be Robert Enke telling his own story and not being told on his behalf.

From a professional standpoint I have had many books recommended to me over the years but ‘Will it Make the Boat Go Faster’ by Ben Hunt-Davis & Harriet Beveridge is a simple yet effective way of demonstrating how the GB Olympic Rowing Team focused their mind to achieve success and how this logic can be applied by anyone within their chosen field of work.

Next up on my list to read is ‘ No Rules Rules - Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention’ which details out some of the philosophies that have helped shape the business today.