“Unleashing Potential with Motivational Power” As a restaurant consultant, I found “Can’t Hurt Me” to be an inspiring read. Goggins’ journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a Navy SEAL and ultra-endurance athlete is a testament to the power of mental toughness and resilience. One of the key principles Goggins emphasizes is the 40% Rule, which suggests that when we think we are at our limit, we are only at 40% of our potential. This concept is particularly relevant in the restaurant industry, where long hours and high stress are common. By pushing beyond perceived limits, restaurant professionals can achieve greater efficiency and innovation. Goggins also talks about the Accountability Mirror, a practice of self-reflection and honesty about one’s goals and progress. In the restaurant industry, this results from regular evaluations and feedback sessions with staff, ensuring everyone is aligned with the restaurant’s vision and continuously improving. Another powerful lesson from the book is the idea of Taking Souls, which means outperforming competitors by going above and beyond expectations. For restaurant managers and staff, this could mean providing exceptional customer service and creating memorable dining experiences that set the restaurant apart from others. Lastly, Goggins’ emphasis on embracing discomfort and using it as a tool for growth is crucial. The restaurant industry is ever-changing, and adapting to new trends and challenges is essential for success. By embracing discomfort, restaurant professionals can stay ahead of the curve and continuously improve their operations. “Can’t Hurt Me” is a must-read for anyone looking to push their boundaries and achieve extraordinary results, both personally and professionally. Goggins’ principles are not only applicable to endurance sports but also to the demanding and dynamic world of the restaurant industry.

"Good if You’re a Fan of Urban or a Team He Coached" There are some good nuggets in the book, but they come from another author. Applying this to a winning team, or a team on the verge of winning, makes sense. As an example, think of how this method applied to college teams versus the lone professional team. Sure, a bit of a stretch if you take the time he was at Jacksonville, but both Florida and Ohio were plus .500 teams and those methods work in that environment. But not on a team that was last in the division four years in a row like the Jags. Urban's drive and rise as a coach would be considered job jumping in the business world. His short tenure at different organizations in football would be a horrible resume in business to present to an employer. Luck, a lot of luck, has preceded his placement prior to winning. Even his first Head Coach job was taking over a 9-5 team in the Western Athletic Conference. I would not recommend for a business read as "his" work, but if a fan of his success at Florida and Ohio, then pick it up to read.

“Move on, Nothing ‘Hear’ to ‘See’…” I can’t really blame the Last Dance documentary for ruining this audio book. I downloaded it as the Last Dance was missing every chance to add the Jackson view point. Hoping to gain his perspective the book spends roughly 15% of the boom on pre-Bulls, and 30% Lakers. Not having Phil read it is also a disservice.

"Lessons and Reservations: ‘The Ride of a Lifetime’” To be transparent, this was a work gift of required reading for director-level and above leaders. When I read this book, I was working in Florida for a 4-month stint. The location and the stories shared in the book resonated with me from the beginning. I found Robert Iger’s “The Ride of a Lifetime” to be a compelling read. His journey from a young executive to the CEO of Disney is nothing short of inspiring, filled with valuable insights on innovation, risk-taking, and resilience. However, I must express my reservations. Over the past decade, Disney has made several decisions that have raised questions. These actions have, unfortunately, tainted my perception of the company and its leadership. Additionally, I can’t help but wonder if Iger’s rise to CEO was influenced by preferential treatment, which casts a shadow over his achievements. In conclusion, while “The Ride of a Lifetime” offers valuable lessons and an engaging narrative, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s a book that might inspire, depending on the time, location, and application to the individual reader.

“If Everything Connects, It Didn’t Throughout The Book" Struggling at previous job, I picked up this audible eager to reignite my creativity. Published in 2014, it is a little out of reach of current business struggles and really does not speak to leading in the age of creativity, innovation and sustainability. In fact, the vast majority of his examples are of successful individuals and not actually about leaders, leading. The first half of the book was good but dies a sudden death just after Part II. I would recommend this as a read delivered in a pamphlet for a smaller coaching session with a team but would not recommend the entire book.

"51 Days of Interviews and a Book That Changed Things" I was in the middle of the interview process for a company in the DC area. In fact, I was on the 10th day of what would become a 51-day process. This interview was with one of the owners, whom I had connected with years before in person, prior to COVID-19, and followed for a couple of years on LinkedIn. In a post, a week before I applied, he shared with his followers that this book was part of the required reading for management. I figured ordering the book, reading it, and preparing an old-fashioned book report would be a nice touch. I brought a bound copy of my report to my interview but never received any feedback on it. I did, however, earn the chance at a lengthy interview process. There were 2 personality tests, 2 on-camera interviews, a 3-hour job shadow, and 4 additional 1–2-hour interviews in person. A pivot to apply for a different role, followed with 2 more 1-hour interviews in person, and then finally the answer from human resources: “we are not ready to hire” on the 51st day. Listed below is not the report I handed over, but a review of the book for recommended reading. The lessons discussed are not only applicable to work life but also to family life; being able to disconnect and connect with loved ones. It provides guidance for more meaningful and intentional relationships and interactions. Prior to reading this book, I had already deployed some of the habits discussed to curb my phone usage. The author is correct—the smartphone has helped us from never feeling alone or experiencing boredom. However, it has prevented us from holding open a door for someone or striking up a quick conversation on the elevator. While I cannot completely break up with my smartphone, I now have a few more tips to have a much healthier relationship with this rectangular, brightly lit device that seems to ‘always pick me for their team’. If for some reason these practices do not end up helping, my last resort is to mount our devices onto media carts like we had in middle school. I can then feel like a superhero when I push the media cart into the living room like our teachers must have felt back then. Adopting some of the methods in this book is critical to change in business. A more productive workforce that is engaged in human experience, be it a coworker or a dining guest, is a must. We need to focus on rebuilding our attention spans, enhancing creativity, being more present in the current situation/environment, and engaging with people around us. We need to be more intentional. If you do not have any practices in place to reduce your phone time, this book can guide you as soon as your start to read it.

"Peeling Back Layers of Disappointment" As someone deeply invested in both the culinary and hospitality industries, I was eager to dive into Mark Kurlansky’s “The Core of an Onion.” Because of its subject matter and I wanted to learn more about this essential ingredient. I hoped this book would offer fresh insights and engaging content. Unfortunately, my experience was quite the opposite. From the outset, the book felt flat. Kurlansky’s exploration of the onion, while seemingly thorough, lacked the dynamic storytelling I had anticipated. The narrative seemed to drag, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the material. The potential for rich, flavorful anecdotes about this staple ingredient was there, but it never quite materialized in a way that captivated me. To make matters worse, I opted for the audio version, hoping it would bring the content to life during my busy schedule. However, the narration was poorly done, further diminishing my overall experience. The monotone delivery and lack of enthusiasm made it difficult to stay focused, and I often found myself tuning out. I would try thumbing through the pages of the printed book to see if the recipes that were recited add a little more intrigue to the pages.

Extreme Ownership: The Right Book at the Wrong Time This book offers a compelling blend of military experiences and leadership principles. While the book is rooted in the authors’ Navy SEAL backgrounds, its lessons are applicable to various leadership contexts, including business and personal development. The authors stress that leaders must be free to move where they are most needed, which can change throughout an operation. This concept is crucial for leadership teams, especially in the dynamic environment of a restaurant. Being able to pivot and address issues across different areas ensures we don’t miss opportunities to engage with guests and coach our team. The book highlights the importance of transparency in the chain of command. Holding information too closely can lead to confusion and resentment among team members. As we grow, maintaining clear communication and alignment within our teams will be vital for our success. Overall, “Extreme Ownership” was a challenging read for me. Despite my interest in military and leadership topics, I found the business examples somewhat basic and not particularly groundbreaking. I must also mention that while reading this book, I worked for a group of leaders who strongly endorsed its principles. However, instead of collaborating, they often talked down to their operational leaders, remaining detached from the team preaching from their ivory tower. However, the book offers valuable insights for new leaders and can serve as a useful reference for specific leadership challenges.

Content was just okay. However, the narrator did a fantastic job and delivered great accents and voices to make a boring read into something a little more. I would recommend this as an audio book. If you have been to any Vegas Cirque du Soleil shows this is a nice listen and gives some additional information about the performer selection.