Why am I passionate about this?

When I was eleven, my then-boyfriend’s father asked me what I would be if I could be anything in the world. I told him I would be an author. Over a decade in HR leadership has deepened my understanding of workplace narratives. On April 10th, 2021, my mentor Bobby passed away, inspiring me to write "The Energy of Success." His wisdom fueled my mission to capture the transformative power of human connections and inclusive leadership in the workplace. This book is a testament to those stories that shaped my HR journey—rooted in empathy, purpose, and creating thriving environments for all.


I wrote

The Energy of Success: Power Up Your Productivity, Transform Your Habits, and Maximize Workplace Motivation

By Rebeccah Ahmed,

Book cover of The Energy of Success: Power Up Your Productivity, Transform Your Habits, and Maximize Workplace Motivation

What is my book about?

In my book, I reveal how to shift your physical, emotional, and mental potential through proven, easy-to-use strategies you can…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Rebeccah Ahmed Why did I love this book?

I loved Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's book because it provided me with an extremely comprehensive understanding of what it means to be in flow and how it allows me to achieve meaningful goals and happiness. I found the definitions, diverse examples, activities, and the effects of being in the flow state incredibly insightful.

Csikszentmihalyi engaged me with scientific studies and challenged me to evaluate the differences between pleasure and enjoyment. Additionally, the book helped me understand my own self-consciousness and ego as they relate to finding flow.

By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Flow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Csikszentmihalyi arrives at an insight that many of us can intuitively grasp, despite our insistent (and culturally supported) denial of this truth. That is, it is not what happens to us that determines our happiness, but the manner in which we make sense of that reality. . . . The manner in which Csikszentmihalyi integrates research on consciousness, personal psychology and spirituality is illuminating.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

The bestselling classic that holds the key to unlocking meaning, creativity, peak performance, and true happiness.

Legendary psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's famous investigations of "optimal experience" have revealed that what makes an…


Book cover of Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know

Rebeccah Ahmed Why did I love this book?

I loved Adam Grant's book because he is a great storyteller who entices me with tantalizing examples of how to think like a scientist and lead with inquisition. The book not only challenged me to think differently but also shared practical tools to empower me to question my initial reactions or beliefs when presented with opposing opinions or challenges.

Grant does a great job of explaining the complex topic of what being open-minded really means. He made it easy for me to read and digest so I could put his lessons into practice and see immediate results.

By Adam Grant,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked Think Again as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

#1 New York Times Bestseller

"THIS. This is the right book for right now. Yes, learning requires focus. But, unlearning and relearning requires much more-it requires choosing courage over comfort. In Think Again, Adam Grant weaves together research and storytelling to help us build the intellectual and emotional muscle we need to stay curious enough about the world to actually change it. I've never felt so hopeful about what I don't know."
-Brene Brown, Ph.D., #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dare to Lead

The bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals examines the critical art of rethinking:…


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Book cover of The Squiggly Line Career: How Changing Professions Can Advance a Career in Unexpected Ways

The Squiggly Line Career By Angela Champ,

When we're children, we're asked what we want to be when we grow up. But what if there isn't just one career for us in our lifetime? What if we can have a squiggly line career that spans professions and industries?

This book will guide job seekers on the traits…

Book cover of The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups

Rebeccah Ahmed Why did I love this book?

I loved Daniel Coyle's book because he emphasizes the importance of creating a strong foundation of trust, honesty, and vulnerability whenever I am building a team. From there, he dives into purpose, providing me and my organization with a platform to discover what drives our mission.

Coyle’s examples are insightful and actionable, empowering me with numerous tools to create a motivational workplace culture comprised of successful, unified groups.

By Daniel Coyle,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Culture Code as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

'A marvel of insight and practicality' Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit
____________________________

How do you build and sustain a great team?

The Culture Code reveals the secrets of some of the best teams in the world - from Pixar to Google to US Navy SEALs - explaining the three skills such groups have mastered in order to generate trust and a willingness to collaborate. Combining cutting-edge science, on-the-ground insight and practical ideas for action, it offers a roadmap for creating an environment where innovation flourishes, problems get solved, and expectations are exceeded.…


Book cover of Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility

Rebeccah Ahmed Why did I love this book?

I loved Patti McCord’s book because her voice is direct, concise, and easy to follow. I appreciated how she challenged me to think about traditional Human Resource (HR) practices, showcasing how the workforce shifts quickly and consistently in a tech-startup world.

This made it clear to me that HR and leadership practices must shift just as quickly and consistently to match the culture of the organization. McCord did a great job of providing a summary of questions and action items at the end of each chapter, empowering me with tools and takeaways.

By Patty McCord,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

In Powerful, Patty McCord shares what she learned at Netflix and elsewhere in Silicon Valley. Advocating the practice of radical honesty in the workplace, saying good-bye to employees who don't fit the company's emerging needs, and motivating with challenging work, not promises, perks, and bonus plans.McCord argues that the old standbys of corporate HR - annual performance reviews, retention plans, employee empowerment and engagement programs - often end up being a colossal waste of time and resources. Her road-tested advice, offered with humour and irreverence, provides readers a different path for creating a culture of high performance and profitability. Powerful…


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Book cover of A Long Way from Iowa: From the Heartland to the Heart of France

A Long Way from Iowa By Janet Hulstrand,

This memoir chronicles the lives of three generations of women with a passion for reading, writing, and travel. The story begins in 1992 in an unfinished attic in Brooklyn as the author reads a notebook written by her grandmother nearly 100 years earlier. This sets her on a 30-year search…

Book cover of Radical Candor

Rebeccah Ahmed Why did I love this book?

I loved Kim Scott's book because she provides specific recommendations that I can use to improve my communication skills and enhance my team’s productivity. She focuses on foundational elements that build a strong culture in today’s modern workforce, leading with transparency and authenticity.

The book is a fun read and offers actionable takeaways that I can use immediately in my workplace and in my personal life.

By Kim Scott,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Radical Candor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Featuring a new preface, afterword and Radically Candid Performance Review Bonus Chapter, the fully revised & updated edition of Radical Candor is packed with even more guidance to help you improve your relationships at work.

'Reading Radical Candor will help you build, lead, and inspire teams to do the best work of their lives.' - Sheryl Sandberg, author of Lean In.

If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all . . . right?

While this advice may work for home life, as Kim Scott has seen first hand, it is a disaster when adopted…


Explore my book 😀

The Energy of Success: Power Up Your Productivity, Transform Your Habits, and Maximize Workplace Motivation

By Rebeccah Ahmed,

Book cover of The Energy of Success: Power Up Your Productivity, Transform Your Habits, and Maximize Workplace Motivation

What is my book about?

In my book, I reveal how to shift your physical, emotional, and mental potential through proven, easy-to-use strategies you can start today. By learning to shift your own and your team's energy (even if you're not in charge!), you'll immediately boost their joy and enthusiasm, transform your workplace, and infuse positivity into your environment.

The book outlines five energetic success principles with practical steps to enhance your life and positively influence those around you. You'll discover key takeaways to empower others and manage your energy levels at work, critical insights on shifting your team's focus from challenges to innovative solutions, and techniques to control your responses to external factors at work, home, and beyond. 

Book cover of Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Book cover of Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
Book cover of The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups

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