Unbound Potential Book Club
I have learnt so much from books, so I thought sharing favourite books and my key takeaways may help some of you on your journeys too.
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This book sparked so many things for me. It probably formed a baseline of what turned into a passion about leadership and doing the right thing for the team.
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Key Takeaways
1. Leaders prioritise the wellbeing of their people, supporting psychological safety which encourages loyalty, cooperation and high performance.
2. Leaders who "eat last" put their team ahead of themselves; this fosters commitment and respect from their teams​
3. Empathy is a leader's most powerful tool - understanding and caring for your team builds resilience.
This book was a present from my sister for Xmas and I went on to become a big fan of Kristen's work, her selfless leadership and her ongoing dedication to her team and company's development over time.
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Key Takeaways
1. Failure is a teacher. Mistakes and failures are essential for growth.
2. Being vulnerable builds stronger teams by building trust and authenticity.
3. Invest in people, not just performance. Developing a people-first culture led her company to thrive.
4. Culture matters more than perfection - a values driven culture proved more important than flawless operations. When people feel cared for they take ownership and pride in their work.
This book was recommended to me by a coach who thought that this book would help me understand my "inner critic" and also manifest my "inner mentor". From a mindset point of view this book was transformational for me.
Key Takeaways
1. Do not wait to be "ready" to lead - growth comes after action - not before.
2. The inner critic holds many people back, recognising it can help you quiet the critic.
3. Unlocking the wiser voice from within - the "inner mentor" - I would recommend if you can listening to this part of her book.
4. Think about how you perceive fear - it can mean you are doing brave, meaningful work.
Kim Scott brings in some fabulous experience from companies like Apple and Google. This model for feedback has really challenged my views and helps you distinguish what good looks and feels like. The sections to support 1 to 1s and managing diaries also helped me think about how I was managing my time.
Key Takeaways
1. Creating a culture of candor starts with leaders modeling directly that they can invite feedback, this creates a safe space and allows a culture of honesty to thrive.
2. Build trust through regular conversations - show up consistently, listen deeply and act on what you have heard.
3. Feedback should be kind and clear - radical candor allows you to care personally and challenge directly, allowing feedback that is honest, respectful and actionable.
I loved this book because of its raw authenticity and grounded honesty. In a world where leadership is often overcomplicated with jargon and performance, Brené Brown strips it back to what truly matters: courage, vulnerability, and human connection. I loved how she tackled tough topics without fluff—just real talk, backed by insight and heart.
Key Takeaways
1. Vulnerability is the foundation of courageous leadership.
2. You cannot be a brave leader without doing inner work to be self aware.
3. Clear is kind; unclear is unkind
4. A leader's armour will get in the way of connection, dropping the armour can help foster connection and trust.
5. Brave leaders require trust, empathy and accountability. Environments were people feel safe to speak up, make mistakes and grow is paramount to good leadership.
This is more of a business book, but also talks about self belief. It is told as a story which I found incredibly easy to follow and read, making the lessons transferable and easy to digest. It's about clarity, focus, and the courage to back yourself. A brilliant reminder to stop holding back and just take your shot.
Key Takeaways
1. Ensure what you are offering to others is clear and what the value is in what you offer.
2. Niche down to scale up - trying to serve everyone leads to dilute messaging and scattered energy.
3. Mindset matters more than tactics - success starts with belief. No strategy will work if you don't believe in yourself.
4. Take action - even if it's imperfect. Waiting for the perfect moment will lead to stagnation. Bold, intentional action is what moves the needle.
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Because I love reading this one was a gift from the team when I left one of my leadership roles. It is a truly moving read. What I loved most was how it instills this quiet but powerful belief that if you truly desire something - and pursue it with courage and intention - the universe will rise to meet you. There’s such magic in the idea that our dreams are not random, but part of our path. This book gave me a renewed sense of trust in myself and in the journey I’m on.
Key Takeaways
1. Follow your personal legend - your unique purpose or dream in life.
2. The universe will conspire to help you.
3. Obstacles are part of the journey. Each challenge will test your resolve, but also strengthen you and bring you closer to who you're meant to become.
4. True treasure lies within - the greater riches in life - wisdom, love and self-discovery are found within.
5. The simple faith in yourself and life's journey can lead to profound transformation.
This book is all about incremental gains, it breaks down success into something practical and achievable. No flashy overnight wins, but small, consistent actions that add up over time. It helped reinforce the belief that you don’t need to do anything dramatic to change your life - you just need to show up, make better choices, and stay committed. The idea that you can will your way to results through persistence and discipline really hit home. The little things do matter, and that real change is always within reach.​
Key Takeaways
1. Small consistent actions leave to big results - you need to trust the process.
2. Every action you take is a choice.
3. Habits make or break you - tracking your behaviours and being in control of your patterns is important.
4. Momentum is powerful but you need patience. Noticeable results don't happen straight away.
5. Routine and tracking can lead to progress - this helps you to stay focused and accountable.
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This book changed my life, I have never been a morning person. After reading this I completely shifted my mindset. It really made me reflect on how much power there is in owning your mornings. I loved the idea that the first hour of your day can completely set the tone for how you think, feel, and show up. It’s not just about waking up early - it’s about making space for growth, focus, and intention before the world gets noisy. It reminded me that small routines can unlock big transformation if you commit.
Key Takeaways
1. Own your morning, elevate your life. The way you start your day shapes the rest of it - so start with purpose and presence.​
2. Similar to The Compound Effect; Consistency beats intensity, lasting change comes from daily discipline, not occasional bursts of motivation.
3. Solitude is a superpower. Early mornings offer space for stillness, clarity, and creative thought - without distraction.
4. Success starts from within, building a strong inner foundation - mentally, emotionally, physically, creates external results.