Keywords

Leadership · Book Recommendations · Kindness · Compassion · Organizational Culture · Education · Creativity · Personal Development · Podcast · Holiday Spirit

Summary

In this special holiday episode of Lassoing Leadership, Jason Rogers and Garth Nichols slow things down, lean into the season, and turn the podcast into a kind of leadership book club.

Rather than chasing trends or quick fixes, Jason and Garth share the books that have actually shaped how they think about leadership — books about kindness, compassion, culture, courage, and the creative work of leading people well. Each brings their top five recommendations to the table, highlighting authors whose ideas continue to influence their thinking and, frankly, whose voices they’d love to sit down with on the podcast in the year ahead.

The conversation moves easily between education, organizational culture, and personal growth, with a reminder that leadership isn’t just about strategy — it’s about how we treat people, how we tell stories, and how we keep learning. It’s a reflective, generous episode meant to leave listeners with a short reading list and a longer pause for thought.

Take Aways

• Leadership is at its best when it’s rooted in kindness and compassion.

• The right books don’t just inform us — they shape how we show up.

• Culture is not an add-on; it’s the work.

• Creativity isn’t optional in leadership — it’s how growth happens.

• Learning deepens when we hear directly from authors and thinkers.

• Radical Candor reminds us that clarity and care can coexist.

• Technology is changing leadership — whether we’re ready or not.

• Learning doesn’t stop at graduation or live only in classrooms.

• Strong leadership is built on strong relationships.

• The holiday season is an ideal time to reflect, read, and reconnect with what matters.

  
  

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Beard’s Book Club
06:32 – Jason’s Top Book Picks
09:36 – Garth’s Top Book Picks
12:47 – Narrowing It Down: The Top Two
15:41 – Final Reflections and Holiday Wrap-Up
24:07 – Recording Wrap / Session End