Here at MediaFace, we’re all a bunch of bookworms. Here are the latest reads gracing our nightstands.

 

Lisa Bragg, CEO: Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun (O’Reilly)

I’ve just read Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun. He truly has a “confessions” section which I found so refreshing and funny. He has tips for connecting to audiences in person and behind the lens. As a former broadcast journalist, I find connecting to a lens fine, but I found his tips on presenting to a large audience to be really helpful – no one is naked in the audience I prep for – ever. A speaker has to be a storyteller and give great colour and context, otherwise it is a terrible waste of time for the audience. As in so many things we do and talk about at MediaFace, it’s always about the audience.

The universal takeaway – practice, practice, practice then practice some more.

I’m currently reading Radical Candor by Kim Scott. I was quoting the book after only a few pages into the introduction (you know it’s a good book when).

 

Silvana Aceto, Marketing and Communications Manager: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown (Random House)

I’m reading Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead, where she tackles the difficult question; what does it take to be a daring leader?

In her book, Brown shares compelling stories of C-level executives to guide readers, like me, on a journey to the answer. Her honest and practical insights have made me rethink my approach to leadership while challenging me to choose what’s right over what’s fun, fast or easy.

 

 

 

Lauren Perruzza, Marketing Communications Lead: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker (Penguin)

When was the last time you were at a really great meeting? A conference? A wedding? I found myself thinking about these questions a lot while reading facilitator-extraordinaire Priya Parker’s book The Art of Gathering. In it, she challenges the reader to imbue all of their meetings with purpose and meaning, whether it’s a three year-old’s birthday party or quarterly budget review. Her assertion that being “laid-back” as a planner is tantamount to selfishness really resonated with me: I’ve learned to be a better advocate for my guests and fellow meeting-goers, both. And the examples of gatherings done right that she scatters throughout the book are completely engaging (and give you major FOMO).

 

Feature photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash.