Engage fi Year End Review
From the Desk of the CEO By Jenn Addabbo
Over the Holidays, our team was encouraged to spend a little time on ourselves and use the opportunity to self-reflect, get inspired or learn something new. Each team member chose a book, podcast, or documentary and since our whole team was inspired when we came together to share our choices, what we learned from them, and what we will take with us through 2021, we wanted to share them with you as well. This list can act as a great book list for the year that we can all go back to for inspiration! Feel free to make recommendations to us as well, we would love to hear what you have been enjoying.
Book Recommended by: James Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Key theme James took away: How to turn red and amber lights into greenlights and the importance of having no fear, hard work, and taking no shortcuts. Sometimes we have to leave what we know to find out what we know.
Book Recommended by: Ana Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Key theme Ana took away: This book discusses positioning and posturing to get the outcome you want in a given situation and encourages you to reset the perspective based on who you are talking to. When interacting with others, use phrases like “it sounds like” and “what I’m hearing” to ensure clear communication.
Podcast Recommended by: Tonia Hidden Brain Key theme Tonia took away: The power and the problem of Grit-looks at the difference between grit and stubbornness. When is enough enough?
Book Recommended by: Jeff Focus on the Good Stuff by Mike Robbins Key theme Jeff took away: We create our own reality and attract everything that happens to us. The law of attraction is associated with positive thoughts and feelings. Attitude of gratitude.
Book Recommended by: Loretta Women with Silver Wings by Katherine Kanddeck Key theme Loretta took away: “Women ferry pilots in WW2 were tough! I thought I was tough, but I don’t even know what tough is. I know I have room to be tougher.”
Podcast recommendation by: Kody The Hungry Athlete Key theme Kody took away: Be an athlete of life. Live by intention, not habit. Rivals can be people that push you to do bigger and better things. How to look forward to disappointment so you have the opportunity to overcome.
Book Recommendation by: Priscilla Before Happiness: The 5 Hidden Keys to Achieving Success, Spreading Happiness and Sustaining Positive Change by Shawn Achor Key theme Priscilla took away: Focus on the positive measurable outcomes, positive signals, and avoid noise.
Book recommendation by: Dean A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking with Statistics and the Scientific Method by Daniel J. Levitin Key theme Dean took away: Look at how we go through evaluating numbers, words, spot logical fallacies. What problem are we trying to solve?
Podcast Recommendation by: Will Hey Riddle Riddle Key theme Will took away: Look at problem-solving but also introspectively, causes me to look at other things I am interested in and do research on those things to learn more.
Book Recommendation by: Connor The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Key theme Connor took away: The complicity of the general population at the time and the enablement of the government to allow such atrocities to happen.
Book recommendation by: Jenn The Hard Thing about Hard Things by Ben Horowitz Key theme Jenn Took away: When your company is in the thick of hard decisions, hunker down and focus on the team, ask the right questions, and when you get through the hardest parts look back and see a stronger organization, service delivery, and how they evolved and made the best use of time.
Documentary recommendation by: Chassidy Call to Courage by: Brene Brown Key theme Chassidy took away: Brene stated that we engineer smallness in our lives because we are afraid to take risks and chances. I vow to take chances and not allow fear to limit my goals in 2021.
Book recommendation by: Sheila, Angie, and Aaron The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8 AM) by Hal Elrod Key theme Sheila took away: How to turn the important morning behaviors into actionable steps. How the start of each day really sets the tone for the full day. Key theme Angie took away: The whole idea of affirmations and visualizations. Take some time every morning to spend some time on you. Key theme Aaron took away: Daily affirmations and visualize what you’re going to do that day.
Book recommendation by: Vikki Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis Key theme Vikki took away: We tell ourselves lies every day, and the lies in our heads must be destroyed. We are so much more than we allow ourselves to believe.
Podcast recommendation by: Ava How to Fail Key theme Ava took away: It is ok to fail; most times it led to an even better outcome because the path you thought was the goal ended up taking a different turn that worked out and even made the subject grow in a way that was unexpected.
Book recommendation by: Mike Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor Key theme Mike took away: Breath is so important for your health. There are so many ailments you can correct through breathing. 80% of office workers hold their breath without realizing. Be aware of your breath.
Book recommendation by: Jesse Start with Why by Simon Sinek Key theme Jesse took away: Why are some people, some businesses more successful than others? The successful ones always start with why. Business transformation is a lot of what and how, we need to make sure we aren’t forgetting the why.
Podcast recommendation by: Justine Fight, Hustle, and Hurry with author and pastor John Mark Comer and author Jefferson Bethke Key theme Justine took away: Accept that there are only 24 hours in a day and stop fighting it. They confirmed for me that it is not only okay to slow down and do nothing at times, it is what God intended for us. He rested and so should we. No guilt needed.
Book Recommendation by: Charles Principles by Ray Dalio Key theme Charles took away: Strong foundations are guided by a set framework for how you behave, process, and act. Letting your morals and personal values shape these is key to continued growth.
Podcast recommendation by: Nell The Habit Coach with Ashdin Doctor Key theme Nell took away: Curate your lifestyle: how to start the new year off right and commit to those things throughout the year
Book recommendation by: Les Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom Key theme Les took away: How to live through learning about death. Accept who you are and revel in it.
Podcast recommendation by: Lizzy Dare to Lead with Brene Brown Key Theme Lizzy took away: Abby Wambach episode: Be grateful and ambitious – not mutually exclusive and work best together. Compete with AND against each other.
Engage fi Named Fast 50 Company in 2023 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal!
Vikki Wagner : Jun 30, 2023 11:06:11 AM
Jennifer Addabbo, CEO and Co-Founder, Engage fi Nola Laleye
Employee Spotlight – Evan Markley
Vikki Wagner : Apr 26, 2022 3:47:01 PM
This month’s Employee Spotlight is on Engage fi’s Manager of Analytics, Joseph “Evan” Markley. After working at a large credit union, Evan was given...