On my bookshelf
Do More Great Work by Michael Bungay Stanier
I am not a great believer in self-help books that claim to be able to make us better or more strategic leaders.
However, in 2012 I began a Clore fellowship and decided that I should at least have a proper go at these kinds of books to see whether my scepticism was really justified.
What I found were a few gems of wisdom and practical ideas scattered through a range of titles, but the one book that has remained on my bookshelf is Do More Great Work by Michael Bungay Stanier.
It is unapologetically upbeat, with lots of exercises that you do need to suppress your inner sceptic to undertake. It is in no way designed to be museum-specific and it encourages you to think differently about your work, not measuring it by a constant stream of completed tasks.
It even has a section on how to say no to things you can’t say no to – which has been useful on more than one occasion.
I tend to dip into it when I can’t see what best to do next or if I am feeling overwhelmed. So far it’s never failed to help me, although I try to retain a healthy dash of scepticism.
Susan Raikes is the head of learning, volunteers and audiences at the British Museum, London
However, in 2012 I began a Clore fellowship and decided that I should at least have a proper go at these kinds of books to see whether my scepticism was really justified.
What I found were a few gems of wisdom and practical ideas scattered through a range of titles, but the one book that has remained on my bookshelf is Do More Great Work by Michael Bungay Stanier.
It is unapologetically upbeat, with lots of exercises that you do need to suppress your inner sceptic to undertake. It is in no way designed to be museum-specific and it encourages you to think differently about your work, not measuring it by a constant stream of completed tasks.
It even has a section on how to say no to things you can’t say no to – which has been useful on more than one occasion.
I tend to dip into it when I can’t see what best to do next or if I am feeling overwhelmed. So far it’s never failed to help me, although I try to retain a healthy dash of scepticism.
Susan Raikes is the head of learning, volunteers and audiences at the British Museum, London