Great Reads to Pass the Time

For those with extra time in their day, looking for some good reads, I thought I would pass along some recommendations of my latest reads.  

Written by: Lee Boyd

With the uptick in telecommuting and restrictions on extracurricular activities, you might find yourself with some extra time in your day to read. I’ve recently started on my own reading journey, fitting in a business book in the spare moments I’ve found. It turns out, reading is growing more and more on me.

Growing up with dyslexia, reading was never “fun”. I always felt behind and could never keep pace with my peers in school. Although I learned to deal with dyslexia through the years, and as reading became easier for me, there was no spark of enjoyment in reading.

However, the spark that re-ignited my pursuit to read more came in August of last year (2019). I was sitting in my son’s classroom for a parent-teacher night when I heard his teacher talking about the benefits of reading. As she was showing graphs, charts, and data about how reading in children, even a very small amount of reading, can improve test scores, I thought to myself, “If reading is so good for my children, it should be just as good for me.” You’d think that a simple logical thought like that would have been instilled in me long ago, but it was not until that movement that I decided to invest more of my time in reading.

Since that night, I’ve been spending more waking moments with a book. My wife has been a reader for as long as I can remember, and she’s shared amazing stories and “trips” she’s taken from her reads. It didn’t occur to me that I, too, can find enjoyment and insight from what I read. I love the lessons I learn from business books, the stories that I am told through biographies and memoirs, and the adventures I can embark on with a great novel.

I’m happy to say: I get it!

For those with extra time in their day, looking for some good reads, I thought I would pass along some recommendations of my latest reads.  

Principles by Ray Dalio: 

I read this book over the Christmas holidays, and since then, this book has stuck with me. Ray Dalio lays out business and personal principles that he lives by daily. He made me realize that we must know what we believe and why we do what we do before we are put into a position that will test us. A long read, but you will not be disappointed. I go back to this book often when I am faced with situations where I need a little guidance. Highly recommended. 

Leadership Strategy and Tactics by Jocko Willink:

A true tactical guide to leadership though the eyes of a Navy Seal and proven leader. I’ve taken pages and pages of notes while reading this one. A great book that is straight-to-the-point and gives great insight into a variety of leadership situations.

Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven:

I attended a Super Bowl party this earlier year, and a friend of mine recommended this book. A quick read at only 125 pages, Admiral William H. McRaven dives into his 10 points he made during his commencement address to the graduates of The University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Wonderful life lessons.

The Trial and Death of Socrates: Four Dialogues by Plato:

Sometimes I think it’s a great idea to challenge yourself, and that is what I did with Plato. Wow! I recommend going deep sometimes. (Side note: A must-read along with this is Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave”. What you see may not be what is real...)

41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush: 

Kristy, my beautiful and smart wife, bought this book for me. I recently just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a great way to learn so much about what former President George Bush’s roadmap looked like.

Trillion Dollar Coach – The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg and Alan Eagle: 

I learn so much from this book. An interesting glimpse into the mind of Bill Campbell and those working with him. A great book for all business leaders.

Inside the Magic Kingdom – Seven Keys to Disney’s Success by Tom Connellan: 

This is an older book, but a great book, nonetheless. I read this book many years ago when I owned an inflatable game company. A great look inside the operations at  Disney and definitely gives you a great appreciation for the detail and care they put into their theme parks. 

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Lee Boyd is the Vice President of Product Innovation at Fourseventy Claim Management. Lee creates innovative processes to transform the traditional methods of insurance claims adjusting. He focuses on the newest technologies and processes, and combines them with custom workflows to serve the needs of 470’s customers. He also heads up data analytics and reporting. Lee also co-hosts the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, a podcast that interviews leaders from insuretech and insurance to get up to date ideas and perspectives on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry.