The Millennial Whisperer: The Practical Profit-Focused Playbook for Working with and Motivating the World's Largest Generation (Tuff, 2019)

In his national bestseller, Chris Tuff begins by debunking millennial myths in such a way that you may never see this generation the same again. Sharing lessons he's learned in memorable stories, he presents well-researched ideas and thought-provoking insights, as well as a quick summary and a "Make It Happen" section at the end of each chapter, all of which make this book a page-turner. An online resource hub with assessments, tools, and templates allow his ideas to be translated easily from business to healthcare.

Tuff's passion for working with millennials and his empathetic, pragmatic, and entertaining writing style are inspiring and educational. There are several "aha moments" in his ideas about recruitment, onboarding, rewards and recognition, maintaining morale, and how to manage "millennial angst." He includes advice for mastering the "art of graceful release" when there's not a good fit and concludes with ways to know when you're on the right track in creating a culture that inspires and retains millennials.

This book not only provides a keener sense of tactics to work more effectively with this generation, it will also make you a better leader. As you finish this book, don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to share copies with colleagues, including your human resources department. With millennials comprising 75% of the workforce by 2030, this book needs to be required reading.

Change is Easy, Transition is Hard (Episode 80) and Navigating the Neutral Zone (Episode 81) (At the Table with Patrick Lencioni, February 2021: http://www.tablegroup.com/at-the-table)

In this two-part discussion of William Bridges' model for understanding the psychological adjustment to change, Patrick Lencioni reviews this timeless mental model involving an ending, a neutral zone, and a new beginning, and its applications both professionally and personally. Too often, we focus on the external change and fail to acknowledge in a meaningful way the internal shifts needed for a successful change. It's as if we're "over-changed and under-transitioned" and as Bridges notes, "Without a transition, we are just rearranging the furniture." The inner work of dealing with change is challenging, and this model offers words to identify these feelings and a roadmap of sorts to help navigate each phase in the process.

By devoting an entire podcast to dealing with the neutral zone-the in-between time characterized by reactivity, low morale, and frustration ("in between trapezes" as Bridges calls it)-Lencioni relates several actionable ideas that provide a sense of support and guidance. Most important, we're reminded that the uncertainty in the neutral zone provides the perfect opportunity for transformation, often drawing out the best in people. Lencioni illustrates Bridges' work in concrete ways, providing a tool kit for managers involved in nonstop change. If you want a change to last, pay attention to transitions.

Driving Fear Out of the Workplace: Creating the High Trust, High Performance Organization, 2nd ed. (Ryan and Oestreich, 1998)

This book should be a bible for all managers because it not only describes how we unknowingly contribute to fostering fear in the workplace and the corrosive nature of fear as a motivator, but it also lays out in practical ways how to build a high-trust workplace. The authors describe the trust-fear continuum to use when assessing of your own organization and ways to see your "blind spots," assumptions and perceptions that can undermine your team-building efforts. Since it was published in 1991, this seminal work has been foundational in defining how to "discuss the undiscussables" (defined as secrets everyone knows but no one is willing to discuss) that feed the "flu of mistrust" pervading so many workplaces, especially postpandemic. As relevant now as it was more than 20 years ago, the authors offer a thoughtful analysis and an action plan that likely will influence both your leadership style and your personal relationships. If you genuinely want to build trust, and you're willing to be self-reflective and coachable, get this classic, one-of-a-kind guide for your bookcase.