216: Wholehearted Transformation, with Amy Wicks

In 'Good Work,' Paul Millerd shares his personal journey through candid storytelling, exploring what constitutes 'good work' beyond traditional job definitions. The book delves into questions about embracing uncertainty, finding motivation beyond 'losing your edge,' prioritizing family without sacrificing opportunity, and defining the most ambitious life path. It challenges readers to rethink their relationship with work and seek a life where work is a portal to feeling fully alive, rather than just a necessity.

This book uses the Enneagram, an ancient personality typing system, to help readers understand themselves and others better. It combines practical advice with Christian spirituality to foster deeper self-awareness, compassion for others, and a stronger connection with God. The authors provide introductions to each Enneagram type, questions to help identify one's number, and steps to pursue deeper self-awareness, making the Enneagram accessible and applicable in daily life.

In 'Of Boys and Men,' Richard V. Reeves delves into the complex and urgent crisis of boyhood and manhood. He discusses how profound economic and social changes have led to many boys and men losing ground in education, the workplace, and family life. Reeves presents detailed research on the structural challenges, including lower academic performance, declining labor force participation, and the specific hardships faced by black boys and men. He argues that both conservative and progressive politicians have failed to provide effective solutions and offers fresh, innovative proposals such as delaying boys' entry into school, increasing male teachers, and improving vocational education. The book emphasizes the need for a positive vision of masculinity in a more equal world without compromising gender equality[3][4][5].

Radical Candor by Kim Scott offers a practical approach to management by emphasizing the importance of caring personally and challenging directly. The book argues that effective managers must find a balance between being empathetic and providing clear, honest feedback. Scott draws from her experiences at Google and Apple to provide actionable lessons on building strong relationships, giving feedback, and creating a collaborative work environment. The book introduces the concept of 'radical candor' as the sweet spot between obnoxious aggression and ruinous empathy, and provides tools and strategies for managers to implement this approach in their daily work[1][2][5].