My favorite books for discovering and developing the leader within you and others

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion for leading began as an athlete in high school, and being part of a team that depended on me showing up and leading myself. Attending the United States Military Academy as part of the second class of women, ignited my desire to earn the respect of those I would lead by being a person of character and competence. After 31 years of leading teams in the Army, I wanted to continue to serve and lead by sharing my leadership lessons learned and expertise gained from those years of service with the corporate sector. To whom much is given, much is expected.  


I wrote...

24/7: The First Person You Must Lead Is You

By Rebecca Halstead,

Book cover of 24/7: The First Person You Must Lead Is You

What is my book about?

Life is a personal journey – the events and people we encounter, our beliefs and lived values, and the choices we make shape who we'll become. Leadership is also a personal journey because each of us has at least one person to lead—ourselves. And leading ourselves is a 24-hour, 7 days a week mission. The more we focus on self-improvement the better leaders we become, whether we're leading ourselves, our family, a local organization, or a multi-national corporation. My book uses the power of storytelling, both humorous and heart-wrenching, to share leadership lessons learned during a 31-year military journey, from the second class of women cadets at West Point to Commanding General in Iraq. My journey continues and my book is being used in both the collegiate and corporate sectors.  

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal

Rebecca Halstead Why did I love this book?

As a leader, I struggled with what I thought was work-life balance, both in concept and action. Even though I was having a highly successful military career, I was in a health rut. 

This book illustrated compelling examples that what I really needed to maintain my leadership momentum was to manage my energy, not my time. This book reminded me that I must keep my physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual tanks from going empty. I applied these concepts in my own life, as well as share them in my leadership speaking and writing. 

I discovered I needed to establish a PBR (Personal Battle Rhythm) in the areas of PMS (Physical, Mental, Spiritual) energy and priorities. It has served as a profound life and leadership coaching tool.  

Book cover of The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership

Rebecca Halstead Why did I love this book?

This book was gifted to me by a peer (a fellow General Officer in the Army) and I’ll be forever grateful for that gift.

James Hunter is one of the best influencers I have read on servant leadership principles and the power of delivering a message through storytelling. It caused me to reflect on my own leadership actions and assess my motives, behaviors, and decisions. 

Am I selflessly serving and leading others? Or am I driven by my own agenda and narrow perspective? This book validates the leadership concept that one must be able to serve others before being able to effectively lead them.

By James C. Hunter,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Servant as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

With an introduction on using the principles of The Servant in your life and career, this book redefines what it means to be a leader.

In this absorbing tale, you watch the timeless principles of servant leadership unfold through the story of John Daily, a businessman whose outwardly successful life is spiraling out of control. He is failing miserably in each of his leadership roles as boss, husband, father, and coach. To get his life back on track, he reluctantly attends a weeklong leadership retreat at a remote Benedictine monastery.

To John's surprise, the monk leading the seminar is a…


Book cover of The Winning Attitude: Your Pathway to Personal Success

Rebecca Halstead Why did I love this book?

This book reminded me how important it is to constantly check my attitude, in both my personal and professional experiences. 

In fact, the only thing in life we truly have control over is our attitude—our response to people and situations. Learning how to possess and practice a winning attitude has helped me overcome many challenges in my life and resulted in my learning to frame what I used to look at as obstacles to be overcome as opportunities for growth and redirection.  

By John C. Maxwell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Winning Attitude as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Struggling with an ingrained negative attitude? There's real hope for you! You can change and become a winner. You can develop the attitude of mind which brings, peace, courage, and success.

In The Winning Attitude, John Maxwell shares insights from real life experiences showing how to recognize and attain the winning attitude to overcome life's difficulties, win people over, and turn problems into opportunities


Book cover of 3 Seconds: The Power of Thinking Twice

Rebecca Halstead Why did I love this book?

This book was gripping and persuasive. 

How many times have you jumped to conclusions only to later find out that your perception was way off? Or, have you regretted saying or doing something too quickly? As for me, too many times to count. 

The thrust of this book is that if I took 3 seconds before I said or did something, I would be much happier with the result. Giving my first impulses reconsideration led to me being a more considerate person and effective, passionate, and purposeful leader. I was able to lead with emotion rather than being an emotional leader.

By Les Parrott,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 3 Seconds as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Just three seconds. The time it takes to make a decision. That’s all that lies between settling for “Whatever” … or insisting on “Whatever it takes.” 3 Seconds shows how to unleash the inner resources that can move you to a whole new level of success. It comes down to six predictable impulses that most of us automatically accept without a second thought. You can replace them with new impulses that lead toward impact and significance. For instance, it takes Three Seconds to … Disown Your Helplessness: The First Impulse: “There’s nothing I can do about it.” The Second Impulse:…


Book cover of Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World

Rebecca Halstead Why did I love this book?

This book reached into my heart and soul.

It was completely refreshing to read stories that reminded me that love still matters, especially in our actions, but also in our perseverance and pursuits. It made me think hard about what was fueling my desires, thoughts, actions, and impact, and resulted in my wanting to make sure that it was love for life and others.

This book aligned with my belief that we should take our jobs seriously, but ourselves less so—that it is healthy to see the humor in ourselves and situations. Most significantly, I learned that my focus should be on doing, not just being.    

By Bob Goff,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Love Does as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The runaway New York Times bestseller!

Can a simple concept shift your entire world? Bob certainly thinks so. When it comes to loving your neighbors, rather than focusing on having the "right answers" or checking the "right boxes," what if you decide to simply DO love? To shamelessly show love and grace to those around you? What would that look like?

It might look like spending sixteen days in the Pacific Ocean with five guys and a crate of canned meat. It might look like taking your kids on a world tour to eat ice cream with heads of state.…


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Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

By Joy Loverde,

Book cover of Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

Joy Loverde

New book alert!

What is my book about?

Everything you need to know to plan for your own safe, financially secure, healthy, and happy old age.

For those who have no support system in place, the thought of aging without help can be a frightening, isolating prospect. Whether you have friends and family ready and able to help you or not, growing old does not have to be an inevitable decline into helplessness. It is possible to maintain a good quality of life in your later years, but having a plan is essential. Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old? Equips readers with everything they need to prepare on their own:

Advice on the tough medical, financial, and housing decisions to come Real solutions to create a support network Questions about aging solo readers don't know to ask Customizable worksheets and checklists that help keep plans on course Guidance on new products, services, technology, and resources

Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age

By Joy Loverde,

What is this book about?

For those who have no support system in place, the thought of aging without help can be a frightening, isolating prospect. Whether you have friends and family ready and able to help you or not, growing old does not have to be an inevitable decline into helplessness. It is possible to maintain a good quality of life in your later years, but having a plan is essential. WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF ME WHEN I'M OLD? equips readers with everything they need to prepare on their own:

* Advice on the tough medical, financial, and housing decisions to come
*…


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