2026 Q1 Reading List is Here
Some New-to-Me. Some Re-Reads. Here’s My Q1 Reading List.
One of my favorite quarterly activities is taking stock of what’s on my reading list. Some books are brand new—fresh ideas, new language, new tools. Others are trusted companions I come back to when I need grounding, clarity, or a reminder of what good looks like in leadership, facilitation, and human connection.
This Q1 list is a mix of both. Every book below has (or I hope will) influence(d) how I think about teams, culture, conversations, and experience design.
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Gamestorming 2.0: An Updated Playbook for Innovators, Rule Breakers, and Changemakers
Dave Gray & Sunny Brown
This one is new to me, and I’m genuinely excited to work my way through it. Gamestorming has long been a staple in the world of facilitation, and this updated edition promises even more practical tools for unlocking creativity, participation, and momentum in groups.
I’m especially interested in how this version builds on modern team dynamic with hybrid work, shorter attention spans, and the need to get to clarity faster. Expect to see ideas from this book show up in workshops, team sessions, and experience design conversations this year. I’m already flagging pages for inspiration.
Broadcasting Happiness: The Science of Igniting and Sustaining Positive Change
Michelle Gielan
This is a favorite and a re-read. It was recommended to me by a coach early in my career, and it fundamentally shaped how I think about energy, presence, and leadership.
This might be my third copy. It’s a go-to loan to colleagues, and I’m not even mad when I don’t get it back. The core idea is simple but powerful: the emotional tone you bring into a room matters more than you think. If you lead people, facilitate groups, or influence culture in any way, this book is a quiet but potent reminder that how you show up is part of the work.
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups
Daniel Coyle
Culture is one of those things everyone talks about, but few can clearly articulate. While it I haven’t read it yet, I know it’s been around awhile. The Culture Code does a great job of breaking down the behaviors, signals, and patterns that actually create strong cultures.
I hope to lean into this book when teams are asking big questions like: Why doesn’t this feel the way we want it to feel? or Why do our values look good on paper but not in practice? It tous a practical lens on trust, belonging, and shared norms, which are especially useful for leaders who want to move beyond slogans into action. We spend a lot of time on culture with teams and onboarding programs, (happy to bring my approach to your team) so I am eager to strengthen my growth in this space.
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
Priya Parker
Get the book: The Se
This is one of those books that quietly rewires how you think. I’m writing this only a few pages in, but I can feel it.
Whether you’re planning a meeting, a workshop, a retreat, or even a dinner with friends, The Art of Gathering challenges you to be more intentional about why people are coming together and what you want them to experience.
I already know this will be a new recommendation for leaders and facilitators who want their meetings to feel less transactional and more meaningful. If you care about experience—employee, customer, or human—this book belongs on your shelf.
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More, and Change the Way You Lead Forever
Michael Bungay Stainer
This is a classic for a reason. A re-read because I saw it recirclating the interweb and was reminded about it on my shelf.
The Coaching Habit is one of the most accessible, practical books on building better leadership conversations. It reinforces a lesson many leaders learn the hard way: you don’t need to have all the answers—you need to ask better questions.
I revisit this one when I notice myself slipping into problem-solving mode too quickly. It’s a great reset for leaders who want to empower others, not create dependence.
Fierce Conversations: Achieveing Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time
Susan Scott
Work, life, and everything in between—Susan Scott outlines this beautifully.
This book was a saving grace early in my HR career. It helped me get more comfortable with the uncomfortable and gave me language, structure, and confidence to step into conversations I might otherwise have avoided.
If you’re leading people, navigating tension, or trying to address what’s really going on beneath the surface, this book is a powerful companion. Avoidance is expensive. This book helps you choose courage instead.
Final Thought
Every one of these books, whether new or well-worn, reinforces something I believe deeply: leadership is less about titles and tools, and more about presence, curiosity, and intention. and ultiamtely shaped and driven by the lived experiences of work every day.
If you’ve read any of these (or think I should add something to a future list) I’d love to hear what’s shaped your thinking lately.
Happy reading.
