All Leaders are Readers: Month 4 Review of Episodes 28-35 with Jonathan Bowman-Perks MBE

“All Leaders are Readers but not all Readers are Leaders”
In my experience I have met many talented inspiring leaders who read widely deeply and listen to audiobooks and podcasts. Indeed for some people their ability to escape from the disadvantaged or poverty they found ourselves in as children came from the significant amount of reading that they did such as Kevin Roberts in Episode 108.

Here is my latest collection of what I have listened to as Audiobooks / or read as Books –
1. Stand Up Straight – Major General Paul Nanson.  An excellent short book by Paul and his colleagues at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as to why military leadership is so important and significant in the way it works to develop teams and individuals and the values by which they defend the country.

2. Gut reactions – Justin & Erica Sonnenberg  This was a fascinating book about our micro biome and how we need to look after our gastro intestinal tract to enhance our immune system our health our well-being our cancer fighting properties our mood and our mental health.

3. Lifespan – Dr David Sinclair  Another excellent book about why we age and why we don’t have to again linked to health well-being fitness and our ability to fight cancer.

4. The End of Alzheimer’s – Dale Bredesen  Tragically we probably all know somebody who has died of Alzheimer’s disease or currently has it. This book is an early wakeup call and it’s time for us all to do something now to reduce our risks. Having seen my mother-in-law die with such a debilitating disease, it is not something I wish on myself, friends or my close family. Not anyone.

5. GCHQ – Richard Aldrich  I really enjoyed this book and found it brimming with stories and insights about the world of spying that now makes sense on reflection. In my role in 14 (Electronic Warfare) signal regiment I found myself as part of the GCHQ intelligence gathering machine and I’ve been fascinated by it ever since.

6. Talking to strangers – Malcolm Gladwell Why do we so often get other people wrong? Why is it so hard to detect a lie, read a face or judge a stranger’s motives? Some great stories to challenge the judgements and assumptions we make on other people.

7. Rebel ideas: The power of diverse thinking – Mathew Syed  Diversity matters-beware of surrounding yourself with an echo chamber of people just like you.

8. Thinking outside the in Box – Roger Steare  Good refreshingly stimulating thoughts

9. Peter the Great – Robert Massie  Superb History

10. A short History of Germany -James Hawes  A thoroughly engaging short read

My summary of these interviews:

1. Alderman Sir Peter Estlin -The Late Lord Mayor of London

2. Catherine Baird – SVP Emirates Cabin Crew Training

3. Chris Wakerley – KPMG Partner & Business Owner Ex Army CO 2 Sig Regt

4. Nousheh Paris -VP American Express

5. Lieutenant General Sir James Bashall CB CBE – Former Comd Home Command & Sailor

6.Mike Still – Chairman YPO Scotland & many NED roles

7. The Lord Mayor of London William Russell

8. Stefan Barden portfolio NED & former CEO