Summer reading for recent grads

With the official start to summer riding on the coattails of Memorial Day, it’s time to think about important things, such as weekend beach getaways and long evenings on the back deck.

Alas, for recent graduates, it may also be time for job search and career planning. If you are a sympathetic supporter of a new graduate, the following books would do double duty as career primers and summer reading, as each can be consumed in bursts between dips in the water.

“A Graduate’s Guide to Life: Three things they didn’t teach you in college that could make all the difference,” by Frank J. Hanna, Beacon Publishing, 2017, $14.95. As a small, hardbound book with a classically simple cover, this title represents a popular type of graduation gift: The little book of wisdom.

Hanna, a venture capitalist, does a respectable job of fulfilling his responsibility as a the purveyor of life’s secrets. In his version, three ideas are key to living a fully realized life: an understanding of reality, an understanding of competition, and an understanding of wealth. While those aren’t the three that usually pop to mind, Hannah provides an engaging explanation of his reasoning. It’s the kind of book that begs to be read twice and luckily, that can be done easily due to its brevity.

“Leadership Lessons from a UPS Driver,” by Ron Wallace, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2016, $24.95. Here we have another classic concept for graduates: The corporate success story told by someone who has risen through the ranks to a high position. In this case, the rise to the top is the back story, with the primary content focused on advice and processes for others who want to build or work in a successful teambased culture.

Since Wallace began his 40-year journey with UPS as a delivery driver before eventually earning the title of president for UPS International, he has a good perspective for advising others as they launch their careers from lower level jobs.

Despite the emphasis on managerial concepts such as maintaining an ethical work environment and developing team members’ potential, he manages to stay relevant to less seasoned workers with anecdotes from his own growth experiences peppered throughout. It’s not an easy balance to maintain, but the result is a book that can serve graduates now as well as later in their work lives.

“Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO,” by Beverly E. Jones, Career Press, 2015, $15.99. Here we have yet another classic style of book for new graduates and others building their careers: The compendium of 50 tips. Sometimes it’s only 25 tips, sometimes it’s 100, but the format is tried and true as a vehicle for delivering pithy advice in easily digested chunks.

I’m a big fan of these kinds of books and Jones doesn’t disappoint. Her tips run the gamut from how to be more productive in meetings to how to not self-sabotage despite your frustrations – a nice mix of workplace productivity and personal coaching that fits well at any career stage.

Of particular note for those just stepping into their first leadership roles are Jones’ sections on motivating others. Her guidance includes such topics as helping teams cope with stress, celebrating the success of others, and leading with authority – all good subjects for the new or prospective manager.

“Ask a Manager,” by Alison Green, Ballantine Books, 2018, $16. And here’s the book I’ll be taking to the beach myself this summer. I’ve been enjoying this author’s online advice for years, so it’s a pleasure to see a book presenting some of her best ideas for surviving the workplace.

In this volume, Green goes with her strength, which is providing readers with the words and approach for handling awkward situations. She includes four sections along this theme: Conversations with your boss, with your co-workers, with your job interviewer and conversations when you’re the boss. It’s a helpful organizing method, with most sections containing 50 (my favorite!) tips and lessons.

The topics she covers range from slightly challenging to nearly mortifying in their emotional impact. For example, Green has advice for such standards as handling those making bigoted remarks or team members who miss deadlines. But she also has tips for workers being “mothered” by their older colleagues, employees being pressured to contribute to the boss’ charity and, my favorite, that unique individual whose boss believes himself to be a Mayan shaman. Mind you, that’s not likely to come up frequently, but it’s good to have a plan for when it does.

Enjoy your summer reading.