We talk a lot about balance, work-life balance, finding equilibrium, and creating boundaries. But there is this truth I’ve come to accept, and that is there is no such thing as perfect balance. What we do have is the ability to design our lives with intention, weaving in self-care, continuous learning, and moments of true escape.
For me, reading has become one of the most essential tools in that design.
Reading as my learning and escape
Over the past few years, reading has served dual purposes in my life. Sometimes, I pick up a book because I need to learn, whether it’s navigating hard conversations about compensation, understanding how to lead with more humanity, or dismantling limiting beliefs about wealth and success. Other times, I read simply to escape. To disconnect from the relentless pace of executive life and lose myself in someone else’s narrative, framework, or wisdom. (
Both are equally valid. Both are necessary. (Book recommendations here)
As executives, we’re constantly in motion, making decisions, managing teams, strategizing, performing. The work doesn’t stop when you close your laptop. It follows you into evenings, weekends, and even vacations if you let it. That’s why I’ve learned to be intentional about carving out space for things that refuel me, and reading is one of them.
Something is grounding about sitting with a physical book, especially when you are on a plane with no Wi-Fi, when you’re forced to disconnect (I was forced to disconnect on a 14-hour flight to Seoul recently). You’re not answering emails. You’re not jumping on Slack. You’re just… present. Learning. Reflecting. Escaping.
Redefining what balance actually looks like
I’ve stopped chasing the idea of perfect balance because it doesn’t exist. What I focus on instead is making sure my life consistently includes:
- Self-care – not as a luxury, but as a non-negotiable - think walks, facials and doing nothing
- Knowledge – continuous learning that sharpens my thinking and expands my perspective -
- Refinement of expertise – deepening the skills and frameworks that make me better at what I do
- Escape – giving myself permission to rest, disconnect, and recharge without guilt
Reading checks multiple boxes at once. It’s self-care. It’s knowledge-building. It’s an escape. And depending on what I’m reading, it’s also a way to refine how I show up as a leader, strategist, and human.
My book recommendations
Below is a curated list of books that have helped me learn, lead, and escape over the past year. I’ve broken them into parts based on themes, but honestly, they all serve the same ultimate purpose: helping you navigate life and leadership with more clarity, confidence, and intention.
Part 1: Leadership, Legacy, and Healing
- How We Heal – A reminder that healing isn’t linear and doesn’t happen in isolation
- The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones – Reframing history and understanding the systems we navigate daily
- What Is My Legacy by Martin Luther King Jr. – A challenge to think beyond titles and paychecks
- We Are the Leaders We Are Looking For – Stop waiting for permission and start leading now
Part 2: For challenging times and executives who need practical resources
- Open When by Dr. Julie Smith – A mental health toolkit for when you need it most
- Unparalleled Resilience by Tamara Bond – Building sustainable strength through adversity
- Possible by William Ury – Reframing what’s achievable when everything feels impossible
Part 3: Money, Leadership, and what we’re afraid to talk about
- Pay Up by Reshma Saujani – Why fair compensation is a business strategy, not charity
- Human First, Leader Second by Massimo Backus – Leading with empathy while maintaining boundaries
- Make Money Easy by Lewis Howes – Removing the psychological blocks around building wealth
Final thoughts
Sometimes we read to learn. Sometimes we read to escape. Most of the time, we need both.
If you’re an executive trying to unwind, refine your expertise, or simply find a moment of peace in the chaos, I highly recommend you pick up a book. Let it teach you something. Let it take you somewhere else. Let it remind you that growth and rest aren’t opposites. They’re partners.
I’ve included all of these recommendations here if you want to explore them further. And if you have books that have helped you navigate leadership, transition, or simply life, drop them in the comments. I’m always looking for my next read.