My spring reading list 2024

With spring upon us, it’s a good time to re-energize the body, mind and soul. In my case it is about running, the outdoors and reading. Here’s what’s on the top of my reading list:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey 

I haven’t read many books about effectiveness, management or leadership. I prefer history or biography books to learn about leadership. This one is an exception. I read it twenty-five years ago and it really shaped how I operate. I just finished it for a second time. It remains very relevant and stood the test of time in my view. If you feel overwhelmed and feel that you don’t get the big things done, this book can help.  

Effectiveness is something I’ve been focusing on this year not only for myself but also for the whole firm – given we have grown by 70% in the past 3 years. We must remain agile, make decisions faster, reduce meetings and keep customers as our main focus.  

Covey offers seven principles that provoke some self-reflection. While they all provide some good learnings, there is one that I find holds the most impact – seek first to understand, then to be understood. Across society, and in both business and interpersonal relationships, I think this is key. It can strengthen dialogue, improve trust and speed up decision making.  

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion 

Didion is one of the greatest writers I’ve discovered recently. She is known as the “writer’s writer”. I really enjoy her style. A prolific author, she was deliberate with every word. Her style is extraordinarily lucid and incisive. Very thought provoking and always going to the essence of things.  

The book explores Didion’s experience with grief. Her self-awareness during this painful and emotional journey is what stands out for me. It makes you question whether we are not a bit too numb going through life.  Very grounding.  

Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life by Dr. Mark Hyman 

Many of you know running is a hobby of mine. After a while, running is not enough… Given I have been at my current (fun and intense) role for 17 years and involved in building Intact for more than 30 years, I need to step up my health routine.  

So, I’m exploring this book by Dr. Hyman – who doesn’t want to stay forever young! I’ve quickly incorporated a number of suggestions on diet and meditation. Although I struggle with devoting time with the latter. Overall, I appreciated Dr. Hyman’s holistic but more importantly pragmatic strategies to live healthier.    

The Peace: A Warrior’s Journey by General Roméo Dallaire  

I just started this book by my friend General Roméo Dallaire. His writing always comes from the heart. He is an engaging writer.  

In this book, he brings us back to the atrocity of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda where he served as the force commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission and describes how he found his peace afterward. He then navigates through post-modern conflict toward a vision of lasting peace. I don’t expect this to be an easy read, but I think it is an important one given the current geopolitical context.  

On Grand Strategy by John Lewis Gaddis 

This book is a recommendation from my daughter Emmanuelle. I bought it at her school when I last visited in February. I am two thirds of the way through.  

It’s a masterclass in strategy and leadership. And it’s rooted in historic battles and revolution and describes some of the choices made and strategies pursued. It is dense at times, but I don’t find many books where in three hundred pages you can learn so much about history, philosophy and leadership. My favourite book this year.

I haven’t read this one just yet, but the daughter of Lastenia on my team just published her first novel, The Afterpains by Anna Julia Stainsby. It is worth a look!   

This list is a good reflection of what I read in a year - a wide range of subjects. While I’m looking forward to reading more, I hope to make the most of the outdoors in the months ahead. Let me know what’s on your reading list, or if like me, you plan to enjoy the outdoors this season.