Curated recommendations, worth returning to.

Book

Executive Presence, Redefined

by Sylvia Ann Hewlett

I've watched exceptional people plateau not because their work was thin, but because the room couldn't yet see them as the person for the harder job. This book is the clearest map I've found for closing that gap deliberately, without becoming someone you're not.

Book

Never Split the Difference

by Chris Voss

Most compensation left on the table is left there quietly, in the last ten minutes of an offer call. This book teaches you how to slow that moment down — mirror, label, calibrate — without becoming the person nobody wants to work with. Underrated as career technology.

Assessment

Career Alignment Assessment

If you're going to read only one thing on your career this month, it should be your own data. This assessment is the honest starting point I recommend before any coaching engagement.

Book

Executive Presence, Redefined

by Sylvia Ann Hewlett

I've watched exceptional people plateau not because their work was thin, but because the room couldn't yet see them as the person for the harder job. This book is the clearest map I've found for closing that gap deliberately, without becoming someone you're not.

Book

Never Split the Difference

by Chris Voss

Most compensation left on the table is left there quietly, in the last ten minutes of an offer call. This book teaches you how to slow that moment down — mirror, label, calibrate — without becoming the person nobody wants to work with. Underrated as career technology.

Assessment

Career Alignment Assessment

If you're going to read only one thing on your career this month, it should be your own data. This assessment is the honest starting point I recommend before any coaching engagement.

Article

The 5 Best Ways to Avoid Ghosting in a Job Search

The best essays are the ones you find yourself quoting a week later. This is one of those.

Article

Level 5 Leadership

by Jim Collins (HBR)

Most leadership articles focus on what leaders do. Jim Collins focuses on who leaders become. Level 5 Leadership challenged one of the biggest assumptions in business—that the best leaders are always the loudest, most charismatic, or most visible. Collins' research found something far more compelling: the leaders who built enduring organizations combined deep personal humility with unwavering professional resolve. That idea has shaped how I think about leadership throughout my career. The strongest leaders I've worked with rarely sought the spotlight. They listened carefully, made difficult decisions when necessary, invested in developing others, and cared more about building something that would last than building their own reputation. For professionals who want to grow into greater influence, this article offers an important reminder: leadership isn't about projecting confidence every moment of the day. It's about earning trust through consistency, integrity, and a relentless commitment to the mission. In a workplace that often rewards visibility, Level 5 Leadership reminds us that lasting impact comes from character. It's one of those pieces I return to regularly because it changes not only how you lead others—but how you measure your own success.

Resource

Memory Foam Replacement Ear Tips for AirPods Pro 3 (5-Size)-Black | 5 Pairs Soft Noise Cancelling Replacement Earplugs with Portable Storage Case Box&Cleaning kit

I've used AirPods for years, but one thing always bothered me: the standard silicone ear tips. After 30–60 minutes, my ears would start to ache, and I'd find myself constantly adjusting them. These memory foam replacement tips completely changed that experience. The foam gently conforms to the shape of your ear, creating a more secure fit without the pressure points that silicone can cause. For me, that means I can comfortably wear my AirPods for hours while working, traveling, taking calls, or listening to audiobooks. An added bonus is the improved seal. Because they fit more snugly, they can enhance passive noise isolation and often improve bass response, making music and podcasts sound richer without changing any settings. They're inexpensive, take only a minute to install, and have been one of the highest-value upgrades I've made to my AirPods. If the stock Apple tips leave your ears sore—or you find your AirPods slipping out—these are well worth trying.

Book

The First 90 Days

by Michael Watkins

Nobody plans a first 90 days. Which is exactly why most people spend them reactive, gathering context they should already have. This book turns that first quarter into a deliberate campaign — learn, secure early wins, negotiate for the resources you need, and build a coalition. If you're preparing for a promotion, read it before the offer, not after.

Book

Designing Your Life

by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans

If you're at the 'what should I do next' stage, most self-help will make you feel worse. This book won't. It insists you stop looking for the answer and start prototyping — small, cheap experiments that give you real data about what a different life actually feels like. I've handed it to more people mid-reset than any other title.

Book

Man's Search for Meaning

by Viktor Frankl

Every professional coaching conversation eventually gets to the same question: what is this all for? Frankl's answer — that meaning is chosen, not found — is the most durable one I've read. It's short. Read it slowly. And read it again when the work feels flat.

Book

The Obstacle Is the Way

by Ryan Holiday

We all encounter obstacles. A failed interview. A difficult manager. A layoff. A health diagnosis. A project that doesn't go as planned. The question isn't whether we'll face adversity—it's what we'll do with it. That's why I recommend The Obstacle Is the Way. Ryan Holiday takes timeless Stoic principles and makes them remarkably practical for modern professionals. His central idea—that what seems to block your progress can actually become the path forward—is both simple and transformative. Drawing on the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius and the experiences of leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators throughout history, Holiday shows that resilience isn't about avoiding hardship. It's about learning to use it. This message resonates deeply with me. Throughout my career—and especially while navigating life with Osteogenesis Imperfecta—I've learned that the moments we would never choose often become the moments that shape us most. Some of the greatest growth in my own life has come not despite the obstacles, but because of them. That's also why this book aligns so closely with the mission of Unbreakable One. We don't become unbreakable by living easy lives. We become unbreakable by developing the mindset, discipline, and character to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan. Whether you're navigating a career transition, leading through uncertainty, rebuilding after a setback, or simply trying to become a stronger professional, this book offers a framework you'll return to again and again. Because sometimes the thing standing in your way isn't stopping your progress. It's showing you where your growth begins.

Book

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

by Héctor García, Francesc Miralles

Amazon.com: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life: 9780143130727: García, Héctor, Miralles, Francesc: Books