Take it from Buddy, the happy-go-lucky elf played by Will Ferrell in the 2003 movie Elf, “there’s room for everyone on the Nice List!” Use this guide for last minute gift ideas or look ahead to the new year and add them to your own TBR (to be read) list. Happy new year and happy reading!

It feels so good when you have a great conversation. But what makes it great? Is it the person, topic, location or some other key feature?

In her book You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why it Matters, Kate Murphy argues conversations are best for all parties when each person feels truly heard. This requires truly listening. Learn more.

Ready for Next contributor, Julie Keyes, CEPA, has published the second edition of Poised for Exit - A Woman Entrepreneur’s Guide to Business Transition. The materials and resources have been updated to help owners even more.

Learn more about Poised for Exit with this article.

For those interested in excelling in complex environments, RFN team member John Lazar recommends Jennifer Garvey Berger’s book, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps – How to Thrive in Complexity.

At Ready for Next we often discuss VUCA - volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. This book challenges us to consider mind traps and how our instincts may be outdated and lead us right into one.

At RFN, we’re proponents of making the most of smart ideas. We’re resolute in our belief that thought leaders are life-long learners, committed not only to improving themselves but to sharing valuable resources with anyone who may benefit.

Enjoy this book review.

This book will introduce you to the new disciplines of agile strategy and collaborative leadership. Learn how to navigate an unpredictable future through the fast and agile development of complex collaborations, using a set of ten practical skills.

Author and consultant Jennifer Garvey Berger has worked with all types of leaders—from top executives at Google to nonprofit directors who are trying to make a dent in social change. She hears a version of the same plea from every client in nearly every sector around the world: "I know that complexity and uncertainty are testing my instincts, but I don't know which to trust. Is there some way to know what to do when I can't know what's next?"

Her newest work is an answer to this plea.

Learn powerful, science-based techniques to boost focus, drive and energy hour-by-hour throughout the day – every day, all day long.

Startups are bold and want to disrupt the world, but are often struggling to execute. Large corporations excel at execution, but they need to keep reinventing themselves to stay relevant.