What 61 Books Taught Me About Leadership, Sales, and Life
By Billy Briefman · December 29, 2025 · 0:00 read
Category: Business & Economy
Show: New Generation Leader
What happens when you stop drifting in your learning—and start paying attention on purpose? In this year-end review episode of The New Generation Leader Podcast , Aaron reflects on one simple but transformative habit: tracking what he read in 2025. What started as a sobering realization — he only re
<p>What happens when you stop drifting in your learning—and start paying attention on purpose?</p><p></p><p>In this year-end review episode of <i>The New Generation Leader Podcast</i>, Aaron reflects on one simple but transformative habit: tracking what he read in 2025. What started as a sobering realization — he only read 6 books in all of 2024! — turned into an unexpected journey through <b>61 books</b>, spanning leadership, sales, culture, memoirs, history, fiction, and everything in between.</p><p></p><p>Read the full list > <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://aaronlee.co/what-61-books-taught-me-about-leadership-sales-and-life/" target="_blank">AaronLee.co/61-books</a></p><p></p><p>In this episode, Aaron shares:</p><ul><li>Why he set a bold reading goal (and how it quietly reshaped his mindset)</li><li>The themes that surprised him most</li><li>The books that left a lasting imprint</li><li>How reading outside your comfort zone expands leadership perspective</li><li>Why slowing down, changing pace, and even reading fiction matters</li></ul><p>Whether you’re a lifelong reader or someone trying to rediscover the habit, this episode is an invitation to keep learning, stay curious, and enter the new year with a wider lens.</p><p></p><p><b>Show Outline</b></p><p>00:00 – Year-End Reflection & the Reading Wake-Up Call</p><p>03:30 – Setting an Audacious Goal: A Book a Week</p><p>08:30 – The System That Made 61 Books Possible</p><p>14:30 – Foundational Leadership & Mindset Reads</p><p>21:00 – Expanding Perspective Through History & Memoir</p><p>28:30 – Brand Stories, Culture & Long-Term Vision</p><p>36:30 – The Unexpected Sales Theme of the Year</p><p>44:30 – Fiction, Downshifting & Reading for Enjoyment</p><p>51:30 – Final Reflections & Looking Ahead</p><p></p><p><b>Top 5 Books</b></p><p>1. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/4s7guHT" target="_blank">Slow Productivity</a> — Cal Newport</p><p>2. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/49kQ5yQ" target="_blank">Shoe Dog</a> — Phil Knight</p><p>3. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/4avvKrT" target="_blank">Love as a Business Strategy</a> — Mohammad Anwar</p><p>4. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/3MIrPy0" target="_blank">It Takes What It Takes</a> — Trevor Moawad</p><p>5. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/3LaitKQ" target="_blank">The Barn</a> — Wright Thompson</p>