Another What's Ryan Reedin'???

Alright...I think I might enjoy reading now. But only things I want to read. I read 4 chapters of a book today (almost 50 pages) because I was intraced in what the book was going over. I think the most I have read in 1 sitting before today was 14-15 pages.

As I have said before, I was a TERRIBLE reader through high school and college. So the fact that I am cruising through some books now (5 so far this year) is either a miracle, or a sign that I have been abducted by aliens. haha.

So what book got me to read 50 pages this morning. "The Culture Code" by Daniel Coyle. The subtitle to the book is "The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups." In the book, Coyle goes over 3 different skills that build a successful culture. He looks at probably 20+ organizations and how they apply one, or more, of the large skills.

The three main skills are as follows -

1) Build Safety

2) Share Vulnerability

3) Establish Purpose

Each skill has mulitple chapters looking at different aspects of the skill. Each skill also has "Ideas to Action" where Daniel reviews the skills, reiterates how the organizations used them, and how you might be able to apply them.

All of these skills are no brainers when it comes to culture, but I think alot of people don't always think of them in the heat of the moment. I know I don't. Building/improving culture has become a bit of an obession of mine recently. I just don't think that any is more important that that, and this book solidified my believe in that statement.

The "Establish Purpose" section of the book alone is worth every penny. The section has a chapter about how to lead for the purpose of profiency in your organization. It also has a chapter about how to lead for the purpose of creativity. I never thought about it before, but in our line of work (the pageantry arts) different organizations can function in one, or both, of those purposes. This was by FAR my favorite part of the book, which is why I read 50 pages this morning, and it is the part that I found most applicable.

The entire book is applicable to what we do, but this section hit me the most with things I want to establish as soon as possible.

I HIGHLY recommend this book. It has great ideas on how to engage students, employees, leaders, followers, athletes, etc. I have owned this book for a while now, and glad I finally got around to reading it. It is also great because it gave me fresh ideas going into a start of a new season.

We are turning over a large (and extremely talented) senior class. With this turnover, there is going to be change. Change I need to embrace and cultivate. "The Culture Code" has been a great jumping off point for me in starting that process now.