Reach Partners is fortunate to share office space with a voracious reader. To nobody’s surprise, none of us hesitated to start an interoffice book club when Rachel suggested we read a book together. The three of us are now on our second book. We don’t have a hard schedule. We jointly determine how much to read for our next discussion, and I find an hour on our calendars that works well with other work obligations. We are reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. Two of us have read it before, but reading it again is not only helpful but insightful. I find this true of so many personal development books. As much as reading, I enjoy the discussion that happens after I’m done with the book. This likely explains why I belong to a book club that has met once a month for the last 20+ years. It also sheds light on why I sought out someone at the Kindred basketball game when I finished a book she recommended. I had to know what she thought: which two characters might have been sisters?
Since I had read Big Magic before, I looked at what I wrote in the margins and the phrases I had underlined. I reflected on whether I had new perspectives or thoughts. I couldn’t wait to hear how my office mates interpreted Gilbert’s ideas and how her observations might relate to a past challenge within a work project. We are not the only ones gathering for a book study. I recently listened to the L&D Must Change podcast’s episode, The Simple Power of Book Discussions with Jeannine Lanoux. I know the host, Jess Almlie, and I enjoy her insights even if I’m not directly involved in the learning and development world. Jess and Jeannine agreed that book discussions are low-cost and effective ways for teams to learn about each other, create community, and build psychological safety. (They also said a podcast or article could be exchanged for a book. Good news for those who aren’t readers or have limited time!) Jeannine suggested in many ways that the book selection should match the goals of the book discussion or the reasons for gathering. Are you looking for leadership tips? Choose books that support that. My office mates chose our book selections out of curiosity. We were looking for something that would serve as a springboard for deeper conversations. Fostering connections and encouraging vulnerability with others has significant benefits. A book study gives you a prompt for sharing ideas and experiences. It’s not complicated to start a book study with co-workers. Gather a small group; no more than eight is ideal. Choose a book and then encourage people to share through language and stories. Watch the magic happen when you make these connections. – Anita
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1/21/2025 02:10:15 pm
I have loved this book group we have at the office! It reminds me not only how much I love to read with others, but how fortunate I am to have others with whom to read and share insights and challenges. Thank you, Office Mates!
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