2026 Reading List (and a few surprises) by Thayer Faculty

CREATING A LIFE OF PURPOSE AND FULFILLMENT

‘Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life’ by Héctor García & Francesc Miralles – Recommended by COL (Ret.) Pat Sweeney, Ph.D.

After studying a Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, the authors of this book reveal how daily habits—like diet, movement, work, and strong community ties—contribute to a long, fulfilling life.

• Leadership Topics: Purpose-Driven Leadership, Personal Discipline, Servant Leadership, Continuous Learning, Work-Life Integration
• Leader Questions: How aligned is my daily work with what I find meaningful? How can I better align my team members’ strengths with their roles? What habits support—or undermine—my long-term effectiveness? In what ways do I invest in relationships beyond transactional work? How am I contributing to something bigger than myself or my role?

‘Work is Love Made Visible: A Collection of Essays About the Power of Finding Your Purpose From the World’s Greatest Thought Leaders’ by Frances Hesselbein, Marshall Goldsmith, and Sarah McArthur – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Robert Ivany, Ph.D.

A collection of essays from global thought leaders exploring how discovering and pursuing purpose shapes meaningful work, leadership, and life. It offers diverse perspectives and practical insights on aligning values, overcoming challenges, and contributing to a greater good

• Leadership Topics: Values-Based Leadership, Compassionate Leadership, Vision & Alignment, Resilience & Adaptability
• Leader Questions: If my work is a reflection of what I value, what does it currently say about me? How do I demonstrate care and empathy in my leadership style? What am I doing to motivate others beyond tasks and outcomes? How can I strengthen collaboration across teams or functions?

‘Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy: The Simple Art of Taking Back Your Life’ by Matthew Kelly – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Robert Ivany, Ph.D.

Challenging the constant busyness of modern life, this book offers that true fulfillment comes from living with intention, creating space for what matters most, and prioritizing relationships, rest, and gratitude. It offers practical insights for reclaiming joy by slowing down, simplifying, and aligning daily life with deeper value.

• Leadership Topics: Values-Based Leadership, Compassionate Leadership, Vision & Alignment, Resilience & Adaptability
• Thoughts by MG Ivany: “As the author of more than 40 books on balancing life, family, and work, he tackles one of today’s most pressing leadership challenges: managing the stress that comes with leadership. This book addresses that challenge in a readable and straightforward format.”

DEFINING YOUR CHARACTER AND CORE VALUES

‘My Life in Leadership: The Journey and Lessons Learned Along the Way’ by Frances Hesselbein – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Robert Ivany, Ph.D.

Through personal stories and practical insights, this globally recognized thought leader offers guidance in a popular book on leading with purpose and applying lessons in daily life. Drawing on her rise from Girl Scouts CEO to leading major organizations—and her role as the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at West Point—she shares hard-earned leadership wisdom.

• Leadership Topics: Leadership Development, Purpose-Driven Service, Character & Values, Communication & Listening, Collaboration & Governance, Developing Future-Ready Leaders
• Leader Questions: What core values guide my decisions—and do my actions consistently reflect them? What kind of leader do I want to be remembered as? What defining moments have shaped my leadership—and what did I learn from them? How do I approach leading transformation within my organization? Do I actively create an environment where all voices are heard and valued? Do I empower others with opportunities to lead and learn?

‘Self-Leadership: The Definitive Guide to Personal Excellence’ by Christopher P. Neck, Jeffery D. Houghton, and Charles C. Manz – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Keith Thurgood, Ph.D.

A research-based guide to personal excellence, this book uncovers how mastering self-motivation, mindset, and behavior is the foundation for effectively leading others. It provides practical strategies for improving personal effectiveness, overcoming obstacles, and taking ownership of one’s growth and performance.

• Leadership Topics: Personal Accountability, Goal Setting & Building Habits, Overcoming Obstacles, Continuous Improvement
• Thoughts by MG Thurgood: “The central message of the book is simple but powerful: before you can effectively lead others, you must first learn to lead yourself.”

CREATING EXCEPTIONAL CULTURES

‘Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney’ by Lee Cockerell – Recommended by BG (Ret.) Rich Gross, J.D.

Drawing on his experience leading operations at Walt Disney World, the author shares ten practical leadership strategies that emphasize putting people first, building strong cultures, and creating exceptional customer experiences. Through real-world stories, he shows how common-sense leadership principles can drive employee engagement, service excellence, and lasting organizational success.

• Leadership Topics: People-First Leadership, Building Culture, Service Excellence, Clear Communication, Training & Development, Change & Adaptability
• Leader Questions: What kind of culture am I actively creating—and is it intentional? How clearly do I connect my team’s work to the customer experience? Are my expectations clear, simple, and consistently communicated? Am I investing time in developing my people’s skills and confidence? Are my systems and processes aligned with the outcomes we want? Am I modeling the behaviors I expect from others every day?

‘Culture Design: How to Build a High-Performing, Resilient Organization with Purpose’ by James D. White and Krista White – Recommended by The Honorable Michael Montelongo

A practical, design‑thinking–based framework for leaders to build resilient, high‑performing workplaces with purpose. The authors combine seasoned executive insights with modern workforce perspectives to show how culture design is a critical driver of long‑term organizational success.

• Leadership Topics: Culture Building, Leading Through Change, Resiliency
• Thoughts by HON Montelongo: “A must-read. This book highlights how anchoring leadership in firm principles, empathy, and inclusive practices can yield both massive cultural and financial returns. The authors use this and other corporate case studies to illustrate how operational strategy is driven by intentional cultural values.”

PLOT TWIST (NOT BOOKS!) – DISTINCTIVE VOICES IN LEADERSHIP

Eric Reveno (Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach and General Manager at Stanford University) – Recommended by Alison Levine

With more than 30 seasons in Division I Men’s Basketball, Eric has built a strong track record across the Pac-12, WCC, and ACC. His commitment to excellence (also one of Thayer’s Values) has been recognized with honors like WCC Coach of the Year—making him only the second coach in program history to earn it and the first in 30 years.

• Leadership Areas: Culture Building, Transformational Leadership, Values-Based Leadership, Leader Development, Change Leadership, Resiliency, Talent Management
• Thoughts by Alison Levine: “He really focuses on character development, which is not always the case in sports! He is my favorite person to follow on LinkedIn.

Eric Church (American Country Singer-Songwriter) – Recommended by COL (Ret.) David Moore

An artist known for fusing country, rock, and blues with an outlaw spirit, he rose to prominence after his 2006 debut and has earned major awards, 11 Grammy nominations, and multiple hit songs. He’s established himself as one of country music’s top live performers.

• Leadership Areas: Authenticity, Values, Perseverance, Purpose-Driven Leadership, People Always Approach, Self Awareness
• Thoughts by COL Moore: “He uses his guitar as a metaphor for navigating life, offering insights that resonate across all ages alongside memorable, thought‑provoking quotes. It ultimately feels like a broader message about whole‑life wellness—especially relevant in a world so heavily shaped by social media.”

Michael Toebe (“Communication Intelligence” channel on Substack) – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Robert Mixon, Jr.

An experienced journalist and communications expert who produces interviews, analysis, and commentary, while contributing to major industry publications and leading reputation-focused platforms. He is widely published across business and legal outlets and has been cited by prominent sources like Forbes and Chief Executive.

• Leadership Areas: Communication, Influence, Ethical Decision-Making, Reputation, Trust, Risk
• Thoughts by MG Mixon: “He presents relevant common-sense approaches to adaptive leadership skills in his Substack channel, @commintel.”