Encourage and Equip
If you love learning, life will always be an adventure. These are some of the books and podcasts that have helped me grow as a creative, refined my leadership skills and developed my thoughts as an innovator.
Send me your recommendations to grow my library.
Books
The Practice
Seth Godin
How to get comfortable with sharing our work without needing external validation. A challenging read but well worth it for anyone creating original art, music, theatre and more.
Leaders Eat Last
Simon Sinek
A great book to begin your leadership journey with. An example of the difference between team management and team leadership.
Anything by
John C. Maxwell
One of my favourite authors on Leadership because he teaches strength, responsibility, respect, community and character. Not for the feint hearted but for those who want to grow and lead strong.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl
Written in 1946, this book chronicles Viktor Frankl's experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during WWII. It has become a classic must read book on building personal character regardless of the difficulties of life.
From Strength to Strength
Arthur C. Brooks
I found this book illuminating when I wondered if I was too old to have any impact or influence in my industry. Brooks discusses that the contribution I make now is about encouraging and equipping the following generation and how important that is today.
Digital Minimalism
Cal Newport
I was finding my creativity suffering because I was not leaving room for it. I filled my brain with social media (and called it work), and I didn't give myself time to be bored - the perfect time to birth true creative originality. A must read for a creative who wants to create truly original work.
A Challenge for the Actor
Uta Hagen
I was attracted to Uta Hagen's teaching because she was practical and grounded in observation of real life.
Infectious Generosity
Chris Anderson
ON MY 'YET TO READ' LIST
From the curator of TED, I love the concept of developing focussing on optimism and considering how to make generosity infectious in our businesses and organisations.
The Brand Flip
Marty Neumeier
Neumeier is considered one of the great names in branding. This book helps you get your head around brand strategy and the importance of audience centric marketing for your theatre company.
Inclusify
Stefanie K. Johnson
This one blew me away. Based on actual studies and data, this book challenges some basic management concepts for leaders and I found it one of the most useful books as I develop my approach to leading people, delegation and inclusion.
101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think
Brianna Wiest
One of my greatest fears is becoming so set in my ways and opinions that I cease to consider that I might be wrong. Whilst my basic values are set in stone, I want my opinions about everything else to be challenged by a desire to understand others.
How to Tell a Story
The Moth
This book will help you learn how to uncover and craft your own unique stories, a must for creatives building a brand based on their life and art. The Moth is a non profit organisation dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling around the world.
Podcasts
Wiser Than Me
Conversations with older women with the aim to learn from their experiences in life.
The Imperfects
Australian podcast exploring vulnerability in an honest, approachable and entertaining way. One of my favourites.
The Offstage Mic
Aubrey is a leader in arts management. Enormous value to any leader of an arts organisation.
Decoding Cultural Leadership
Discussions with Australian arts leaders and creators. Some great conversations here.