In My Hands Today…

Son of Singapore – Tan Kok Seng, Austin Coates (Co-translator)

A publishing sensation in the 1970s and 1980s, Son of Singapore traces the extraordinary upbringing of an Everyman. As a Teochew farm boy coming of age during the Japanese Occupation, Tan Kok Seng enters the “university of the world” at only 15, becoming a coolie at the Orchard Road market. On his rounds to the homes of the “Red Hairs”, he befriends a group of Chinese dialect-speaking Caucasians who inspire him to improve himself beyond his humble roots. Set against Singapore’s push towards self-governance, Tan’s engaging autobiography reflects the pioneering spirit of the times.

Written in deceptively simple prose, notable for its English transliteration of Teochew adages, Son of Singapore sensitively captures fast-disappearing places, people and everyday ways of living.

In My Hands Today…

The Art of Being Indispensable at Work: Win Influence, Beat Overcommitment, and Get the Right Things Done – Bruce Tulgan

What’s the secret to being indispensable—a true go-to person—in today’s workplace?

With new technology, constant change and uncertainty, and far-flung virtual teams, getting things done at work is tougher and more complex than ever. We’re in the midst of a collaboration revolution, working with everyone, all the time, across silos and platforms. But sometimes it feels like we’re stuck in a no-win cycle—dealing with an overwhelming influx of asks, with unclear lines of communication and authority. Overcommitment syndrome looms larger than ever before.

But even amid the seeming chaos, there’s always that indispensable go-to person who thrives on their many working relationships with people all over the organization chart. How do they do it? Go-to people consistently make themselves valuable to others, maintain a positive attitude of service, are creative and tenacious, and take personal responsibility for getting the right things done.

In this game-changing yet practical book, talent guru and bestselling author Bruce Tulgan reveals the secrets of the go-to person in our new world of work. Based on an intensive study of people at all levels, in all kinds of organizations, Tulgan shows how go-to people think and behave differently, building up their influence with others—not by trying to do everything for everybody but by doing the right things at the right times for the right reasons, regardless of whether they have the formal authority.

The Art of Being Indispensable at Work is the new How to Win Friends and Influence People for an era in which the guardrails of traditional management have been pulled away.

In My Hands Today…

The Emotionally Intelligent Office: 20 Key Emotional Skills for the Workplace – The School of Life

Work-related stress currently costs the United States economy $300 billion a year. Modern businesses prioritize technical training, yet the true success of a business has little to do with the hard skills taught at business school and much more to do with the emotional intelligence of its employees.

This book examines the roots of our problematic behavioral patterns in the workplace and addresses how we can overcome them. The skills discussed range from giving honest feedback to accepting that it’s OK to fail, to addressing jealousies and insecurities within teams. We learn about how our childhoods impact on how we deal with colleagues, and how to speak so that others will listen.

In My Hands Today…

Unlost: A journey of self-discovery and the healing power of the wild outdoors – Gail Muller

Gail Muller was told she’d be in a wheelchair by the age of forty. At forty-one she set out to hike one of the world’s toughest treks, The Appalachian Trail – a 2,200-mile journey that would help her reclaim her life and heal her mind and body. An inspiring, moving and uplifting memoir for fans of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love.

As Gail took her first steps through the wilderness of the USA, she had no idea what lay ahead of her, but she knew she felt burnout from city life, lost and broken – ready to heal a mind and body that she had battled with for so long.

From the resilience-building mountain climbs, painful injuries and harsh reality of braving the raw elements, to the unexpected friendships forged with other hikers and the kindness of strangers offering food and shelter – with every step, Gail started to let go of a past dominated by chronic pain and reconnected with herself in a way she’d never been able to before.

A love letter to the healing power of the wild outdoors and an incredible testament to the strength of the human spirit, Gail’s story is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in a rut, lost or scared. She shows us that even in our darkest times, it’s possible to find our inner grit, face our fears and feel hopeful.

In My Hands Today…

Don’t Quit Your Day Job: The 6 Mindshifts You Need to Rise and Thrive at Work – Aliza Knox, Wendy Paris

Learn how to survive and thrive within organisations. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job , former Google and Twitter executive Aliza Knox delivers hands-on, practical steps for achieving career success.

Driven by Knox’s four decades working in and leading some of the world’s most celebrated firms, and featuring candid accounts of other people’s successes and missteps in global tech, consumer goods, healthcare, academia, social services and more, this book is an essential guide to integrating your professional and personal goals to build a fulfilling, complete life.

Whether you’re just starting your first job or you’re ready to rise to the C-suite, Don’t Quit Your Day Job will help you advance and flourish in the workplace.