New Year, New Books

You may have had a New Year’s resolution planned since Halloween, or you might not have come to a resolution about what you’ll eat for dinner tonight. Whether you are the first person or the last, professional development books can motivate you for 2021. Here are five books to ring in the New Year.

1. “Individual Development Plan 2.0: Master Your Professional Development in 4 Practical Steps” by Gonzalo Cordova

If you want to start the year by thinking more holistically about your career, this book will be perfect for you. With “Individual Development Plan 2.0,” you will assess what is most important to you and how to use it to enhance your career. By developing long-term goals and creating tangible action items, you will feel more confident in your career trajectory. If you want more information about individual development plans, check out NextGen’s Individual Development Plan Toolkit too.

2. “Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions” by Dr. Tiffany Jana and Dr. Michael D. Baran

Dr. Jana and Dr. Baran want you to throw out the word microaggressions as they introduce the term “subtle acts of exclusion” (SAEs). These acts may include backhanded compliments, unfounded assumptions, exaggerated stereotypes, and any form of treatment that makes one feel marginalized because of their identity. This book will teach you how to identify a subtle act of exclusion and how to have conversations in diverse workplaces about inclusion.

3. “Find Your Zone of Genius: How to Redefine Intelligence, Become an Expert on Yourself, and Make Greatness a Given” by Laura Garnett

Find fulfillment and excel at work with Laura Garnett’s performance improvement guide. You will learn how to define and unleash your genius to energize yourself at work. Garnett explains that there are different kinds of geniuses, and we all are one. Discovering your genius allows you to build confidence and place your best foot forward. If you want to infuse your career with purpose and personality, this book is for you.

4. “How to Listen with Intention: The Foundation of True Connection, Communication, and Relationships” by Patrick King

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

We often exclude listening when discussing communication skills. Strong listening skills can decide whether you build deep relationships or if you come across as a “relationship narcissist.” Make listening skills your best asset in 2021. In doing so, you will create better bonds with your coworkers.

5. “Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World” by David Epstein

Remember all of the times people told you to find what you love and focus on it? You might want to make room for new advice. ProPublica journalist David Epstein looks at the best of the best in every field. Through this, he discovers the potential of being a generalist. Epstein shows that the flexibility generalists possess allows them to thrive when compared with their more fixed peers.

If you want more professional development advice, attend our monthly NextGen webinars and sign up for the 2021 NextGen Government Training Virtual Summit.