Books and ResourcesWant to learn from others who have been on the pathway? Here’s a description of Margaret’s favorite books, along with other resources that have shaped her life and spirituality.
Listening to the Soul
By Margaret Morgan Maat In 2001, Margaret published the most popular of her past blogs. The result is, as one reader put it, “an honest, real, vulnerable, relatable, inspiring and affirming read. It is like someone giving you a hug and while they are hugging you, they whisper in your ear…now get your butt back in there and finish strong! I love it.” Email Margaret to order a copy. 
The Influential Leader:
Break Through to Greatness By Ann Perle & Allan Halcrow Best book ever written about the victim mindset and how to escape from it. Ann is a good friend who authentically lives out her message. I’ve used her three pyramids in sermons, coaching sessions and group facilitations; the message resonates with all who hear it. 
Mindset: How We Can Learn
to Fulfill Our Potential By Carol S. Dweck, PhD A former professor of mine, Dr. Kenneth Bain, recommended this book at a teaching training workshop I attended while on the adjunct faculty of NYU’s Continuing Education program. It describes so effectively the learning mindset required for life success, as well as academic excellence. As I told the new coaches I was mentoring, your first job as a coach is to determine whether or not your client has a learning mindset. If so, all systems go. If not, your next job is to help them develop one. 
Rewriting Your Emotional Script
By Becky Harling I found this book while going through a life crisis, recovering from a career-threatening illness. It not only gave me solace and encouragement, it also provides a methodology we all need to take accountability for how we interpret events and to tell the story we want our lives to tell. 
Exit, Voice, and Loyalty
By Albert O. Hirschman I found this book on the clearance sale table at The Strand bookstore in New York City. It leapt off the table and into my arms. It is the foundation for most of the work I have done with organizations, working to encourage people to give voice (and encouraging leaders to make it safe to do so). |
If there’s one thing I’ve learned
during 23 years of marriage, it is this — it is deeply satisfying to be right. But not nearly as satisfying as being in love. How often I forget this when dealing with those who disagree with me. I want so desperately to be right. Then I remember the deep satisfaction that comes from being in love with another of God’s creatures. God is hopelessly in love with all of us — and baffled that we are not equally in love with each other.
Ireland: A Novel
By Frank Delaney Frank Delaney is the best storyteller in the world—bar none. I listened to the CD recording of this book, read by Delaney himself. Not only was I mesmerized by the story line of the novel, the book provides a crash course in storytelling, adding new techniques and nuances to a storyteller’s repertoire. 
Seven Life Lessons of Chaos
By John Briggs and F. David Peat For those of you who have heard me tell the story of the Velvet Revolution and its lessons for those of us who want to make any change in our lives, our organizations and our world, this is the book that brought that tale to life for me. 
Kitchen Table Wisdom:
Stories That Heal By Rachel Naomi Remen, MD Remen influenced the development of my soul at a critical juncture. As I absorbed her gentle wisdom, I became more compassionate with myself and others. 
Kinds of Power: A Guide
to Its Intelligent Uses By James Hillman After searching for years for a book that would help me understand power dynamics better, I finally found Hillman’s book. It took me over a year to get through it, but I wanted to savor every word. This book is the definitive textbook for how to understand power and create sustainable organizations. 
Love Poems from God
By Daniel Ladinsky A gift from my own spiritual director, this poetry opened my soul to inspire a deeper and fuller worship of our Creator. My favorite line from the book: “How does God keep from fainting, looking at Himself all day? “ |
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The Great Courses
The Great Courses (formerly known as The Teaching Company) have been a source of ongoing education for me for more than 10 years. As the company blurb says, Imagine having access to the best professors in every field. From science to history to theology to literature, the courses keep me up on the latest advances in the advancement of knowledge. My favorite courses are the Biblical studies courses taught by Luke Timothy Johnson of Emory University. I highly recommend “Early Christianity: The Experience of the Divine” and “Jesus and the Gospels.” To learn more click here. |
Urban Promise International
I once sat on the board for a faith-based organization that transformed the lives of youth in Camden, New Jersey, with a simple formula: leadership, spiritual and academic development. I fell in love with the kids and the dedicated leaders who poured their lives into them. When Urban Promise founder Bruce Main responded to requests to export the model to other parts of the world, he called and asked if I’d serve on the International board. Tears come to my eyes when I hear the stories of despair turned to hope in under-resourced communities in Malawi, Uganda and Honduras as well as Miami, Trenton, Wilmington, Toronto and Charlotte. To learn more about how you can support this hope-building enterprise, click here. |