PMI Orange County

Books Read

Books Read Journal

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Welcome to the PMI-OC Book Club! On this page, you will find a wealth of information. First, you will find takeaways (provided by Book Club participants) from books that the Book Club has already read and discussed. Second, you will find rankings of those books. Books are ranked from "1" to "5" where "1" is the worst and "5" is the best. For each book, the initial ranking is a survey of initial thoughts about the book. The final ranking is a post-discussion ranking to discern opinions after discussion in case the opinions have changed. Finally, you will find information for the book to read for the next Book Club meeting.

Books Read

Book Information and TakeawaysInitial RankFinal Rank
Click on the title line to hide/unhide takeaway information.    
"Dare to Lead" by Brene Brown
  • Vulnerability is an asset and not a weakness.
  • The most successful and courageous leaders are risk takers who are not afraid of failing. In fact, failures often lead to creativity and great opportunities.
  • Perfectionism can be unhealthy due to the constant need for approval and fear of criticism and failure. This leads to missed opportunities and mental paralysis, which hinders creativity.
  • Be clear as to what you value and live those values.
  • Be curious about what you don't know.
  • Walk in other persons' shoes before judging.
  • Think empathy in place of shame, even if you fail; don't fear failure. Embrace it as a learning opportunity.
4.45 4.32
"The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni
  • Most people are conflict averse, but conflict is healthy for teams to perform at a higher level.
  • The greatest dysfunction of a team is a lack of trust ‐ without it, the other dysfunctions cannot be managed/corrected and nothing can get accomplished.
4.63 4.71
"Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman
  • EQ (Emotional Intelligence) can be improved.
  • Our emotional health not only affects our interactions with others, but has just as much power over our individual successes and growth potential.
  • With emotions being such a driving force, it behooves us to understand how emotions function physiologically, socially, and directly in our professional lives.
3.8 4

Current Book to Read:

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Synopsis from Amazon

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving ‐ every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits ‐ whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

Editorial Reviews

A special book that will change how you approach your day and live your life.
— Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of "the Obstacle is the Way" and "Ego is the Enemy"

James Clear has spent years honing the art and studying the science of habits. This engaging, hands-on book is the guide you need to break bad routines and make good ones.
— Adam Grant, New York Times best‐selling author of "Originals", "Give and Take", and "Option B" with Sheryl Sandberg