Resources
Books I recommend.
A short, honest list of the books that have shaped how I lead, how I coach, and how I think about sustainable performance. Each one earned its place on this page.
Heads up: the links below are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Book 01
How to ADHD
by Jessica McCabe
This was one of the first books I read after my diagnosis, and it changed everything. If you’ve ever felt like your brain operates on a completely different operating system than everyone else’s — and you’ve spent years blaming yourself for it — this book helps you finally understand why, and more importantly, what to do about it. It’s accessible, warm, and practical without being preachy.
I’d recommend it to
Anyone who suspects they might be neurodivergent, has a recent ADHD diagnosis, or loves someone who does. Also essential reading for leaders and managers who want to understand how differently-wired people actually function.
Book 02
Extreme Ownership
by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
As a West Point grad and former combat platoon leader, this book hit home on a personal level. The core principle — that leaders own everything in their world, no excuses — is something I’ve lived and coached. What I love most is that it treats accountability not as punishment, but as the foundation of trust and effectiveness. It aligns directly with the self-leadership principle at the heart of the RESTORE framework: your leadership can never exceed your self-leadership.
I’d recommend it to
Leaders at any level who want to stop explaining why things went wrong and start building cultures where ownership is the norm.
Book 03
The Leadership Challenge
by Kouzes & Posner
This is the most research-backed leadership book I’ve encountered, and it holds up. What resonates with me is the emphasis on values-driven leadership — the idea that credibility is built through consistency between what you say and how you live. That’s not just good leadership theory; it’s the foundation of what I call alignment in the RESTORE methodology. When your actions and values are out of sync, no amount of hustle covers the gap.
I’d recommend it to
Aspiring and established leaders who want a proven, evidence-based framework — not just motivational content. Great for teams working through leadership development together.
Book 04
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth
by John C. Maxwell
I return to this book often because growth doesn’t happen by accident — it has to be designed. Maxwell lays out principles that directly support what I call “Training Capacity” in the RESTORE framework: the deliberate, consistent work of becoming more than you currently are. The Law of Consistency especially resonates with me. Transformation isn’t built in dramatic moments; it’s built in daily choices that compound over time.
I’d recommend it to
Anyone who feels stuck and knows they’re capable of more but can’t seem to get traction. Also great for coaches, mentors, and anyone in a people-development role.
Book 05
Get Momentum
by Jason Womack & Jodi Womack
This book does something most productivity books don’t: it connects motivation to momentum rather than just willpower. That distinction matters enormously — especially for high-capacity people whose real problem isn’t effort, it’s direction and energy. The Womacks help you identify what actually moves you forward and build a rhythm around it. That’s deeply aligned with how I coach around energy management and the Optimize Alignment step in RESTORE.
I’d recommend it to
High performers who are busy but not progressing, or anyone who feels like they’re working hard but moving sideways. Especially useful for neurodivergent individuals who need structure that works with their brain, not against it.
Book 06
Atomic Habits
by James Clear
If I had to recommend one book to every single coaching client, this would be it. James Clear articulates something I’ve seen proven over and over in my own life and in the lives of the people I coach: you don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems. This is the practical engine behind every principle in the RESTORE framework. Small changes, consistently applied, produce dramatic transformation over time.
I’d recommend it to
Everyone. Seriously. But especially leaders who are overwhelmed by big goals and need a sane, sustainable strategy for actually changing their behavior — one that doesn’t depend on willpower.
Book 07
Atomic Habits Workbook
by James Clear
Reading Atomic Habits will change how you think. Working through this companion will change how you live. The book gives you the framework; this workbook forces you to apply it to your actual life — your specific habits, your real systems, your daily environment. I always say that transformation doesn’t happen on the page, but this is the closest thing to it. The reflection prompts and exercises here are exactly the kind of structured self-examination I use in coaching engagements.
I’d recommend it to
Anyone who read Atomic Habits and thought “this makes so much sense” — and then didn’t change anything. If the ideas resonated but didn’t stick, this is where the real work happens. Also a great tool for anyone going through a coaching process who wants guided exercises between sessions.