Book and Learning Circles

The Happiness Advantage [Book Circle]

By Shawn Achor
Discover the transformative power of positivity and success with Shawn Achor's groundbreaking book, "The Happiness Advantage." In this compelling guide, Achor explores the profound impact of cultivating happiness on personal and professional achievement. Drawing on extensive research and real-world examples, the author unveils the undeniable link between a positive mindset and enhanced productivity, creativity, and resilience. Achor's engaging storytelling and practical strategies will empower you to harness the happiness advantage, unlocking your full potential and reshaping your approach to challenges. Whether you're seeking to boost your career, improve relationships, or simply lead a more fulfilling life, join us on a journey to a brighter and more successful future!

Please select Register to see all session dates.

• Facilitators: Dani Gaeta, Employee and Organization Development
  
• Time and Date: April 10 - May 01 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most [Book Circle]

Adam Alter
Almost everyone feels stuck in some way. Whether you're muddling through a midlife crisis, wrestling writer's block, trapped in a thankless job, or trying to remedy a fraying friendship, the resulting emotion is usually a mix of anxiety, uncertainty, fear, anger, and numbness. But it doesn't have to be this way. Anatomy of a Breakthrough is the roadmap we all need to escape our inertia and flourish in the face of friction. Artfully weaving together scientific studies, anecdotes, and interviews, Alter teaches us that getting stuck is a feature rather than a glitch on the road to thriving, but with the right tweaks and corrections we can reach even our loftiest targets.

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• Facilitators: Jeff Williams, Employee & Organization Development
  
• Time and Date: May 09 - May 30 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

When to take a stand—and when to let it go [Learning Circle]

By Ash Beckham
Ash Beckham, speaker and author of Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader, shares a personal story where she found herself in a situation that made her ask: who am I? She felt pulled between two roles — as an aunt and as an advocate. Each of us feels this struggle sometimes, she says — and offers bold suggestions for how to stand for how to stand up for your moral integrity when it isn't convenient. Join us as we view the recorded Ted Talk then engage in rich discussion about her story, her suggestions and the role we can play at Cal Poly.

• Facilitators: Dani Gaeta, Employee and Organization Development
  
• Time and Date: May 09 | 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance [Learning Circle]

By Shawn Achor
We may be primed to believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? Often happiness remains just over the horizon. In this fast-paced and humorous talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that being happy now is what inspires our peak performance. Learn to leverage the happiness advantage for greater resilience and overall well-being. We can change the formula and positivity can become our strategic advantage. Join us as we discuss how changing our lens can change our world!

• Facilitators: Dani Gaeta, Employee and Organization Development
  
• Time and Date: May 30 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

Advice for leaders on creating a culture of belonging [Learning Circle]

By Melonie D. Parker and Sherrell Dorsey
Google's chief diversity officer Melonie D. Parker joins journalist and host of the "TED Tech" podcast Sherrell Dorsey for a conversation on fostering belonging and opportunity in the workplace. Learn more about how companies can sustainably promote diversity, equity, and inclusion — and why you should aim to "add in," not "fit in." Join us as we view the recorded conversation, then engage in rich discussion about how we can apply the strategies and tips shared to our work at Cal Poly.

• Facilitators: Lanaya Gaberel
  
• Time and Date: June 25 | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

The Art of Frugal Hedonism: A Guide to Spending Less While Enjoying Everything More [Book Circle]

By Annie Raser-Rowland and Adam Grubb
Raser-Rowland and Grubb offer a refreshing and unconventional approach to living a more enjoyable and fulfilling life by combining frugality and hedonism. The authors argue that modern society's consumerism has contributed to people working longer hours, accumulating more possessions, and ultimately sacrificing their happiness and wellbeing in the process. They offer a compelling case for a more fulfilling and sustainable way of life that can be achieved by embracing frugality and simplicity while still enjoying the pleasures and joys of life. The book offers practical tips, including strategies for reducing expenses, simplifying daily routines, and prioritizing experiences over possessions. The authors also explore the psychology behind consumerism and provide insights into how our mindset and values shape our spending habits. Readers are encouraged to rethink their relationship with money and consumption. What better time than now, with inflation on the rise, to learn how to not only manage your spending but invest in your wellbeing.

Please select Register to see all session dates.

• Facilitators: Dani Gaeta
  
• Time and Date: June 25 - July 09 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

Daring Greatly [Book Circle]

By Brené Brown
Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable, or to dare greatly. Based on twelve years of pioneering research, Brené Brown PhD, LMSW dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and argues that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage. Brown explains how vulnerability is both the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief, and disappointment, and the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation, and creativity. "Daring Greatly" is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen.

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• Facilitators: Lanaya Gaberel and Lisa Gray
  
• Time and Date: July 16 - July 30 | 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

How Great Leaders Inspire Action [Learning Circle]

By Simon Sinek
Sinek argues that truly inspiring leaders and organizations start with the question "Why?" before addressing "How?" and "What?" He introduces the concept of the Golden Circle, which consists of three layers: Why (core belief), How (values and principles), and What (products or services). Sinek uses examples from successful companies like Apple to illustrate how starting with "Why" creates a sense of purpose. He references inspiring leaders such as Martin Luther King to emphasize the importance of rousing action by connecting with people emotionally and appealing to their beliefs and values. Sinek encourages leaders to articulate their purpose and beliefs first. Start with "Why?" to be inspired and to inspire those around you!

• Facilitators: Dani Gaeta
  
• Time and Date: July 18 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection [Book Circle]

By Charles Duhigg
Drawing on a rich tapestry of stories, studies, and practical advice, "Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection" is a fascinating exploration into the essence of effective communication. Authored by Charles Duhigg, the New York Times bestselling author known for "The Power of Habit," this book dives deep into what makes conversations work and how anyone can enhance their communication skills to become a supercommunicator, both in professional settings and personal life.

Please select Register to see all session dates.

• Facilitators: Jeffrey Williams
  
• Time and Date: August 08 - August 22 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

How to Lead with Radical Candor [Learning Circle]

By Kim Scott
"How can you say what you mean without being mean?" asks CEO coach and author Kim Scott. Delving into the delicate balance between caring and challenging when leading in the workplace, she introduces "radical candor" as the way to give constructive criticism compassionately.

• Facilitators: Jeff Williams
  
• Time and Date: August 29 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

Blindspot [Book Circle]

By Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald
Our mental processes can affect what we think and do, even without our conscious awareness. This book guides us into revealing these "Blindspot" in order to better understand how they influence our thoughts and actions. Written by distinguished psychologists and co-creators of the Implicit Association Test, Banaji and Greenwald, this book uses stimulating exercises and illustrative examples to explore unconscious bias and strategies for reducing it in the workplace, classroom, and beyond. If you would like a glimpse into your unconscious mind and have an interest in better aligning your behaviors with your intentions, please join us for this enlightening read and discussion.

Please select Register to see all session dates.

• Facilitators: Lanaya Gaberel, Employee & Organization Development
  
• Time and Date: October 02 - October 16 | 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
  
• Location: Zoom
  

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT) also hosts book circles each quarter and you can learn more about their offerings by selecting “Book Circles” on their Programs and Services webpage at: https://ctlt.calpoly.edu/programs-services.