Holiday Reading & Listening for Aspiring NEDs

With 2025 winding down and winter holidays approaching, many of us finally have time to slow down, reflect, and focus on personal and professional growth. For aspiring Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), this time offers a valuable chance to strengthen your boardroom readiness and review your career plan through insightful reading and purposeful listening.

Whether you’re relaxing on the couch, walking in the park, travelling, or unwinding from another hectic year, these carefully selected books and podcasts can be consumed in small snippets and at a time that suits you. By focusing on takeaways relevant to your current board and professional career, you can broaden your perspective, refine your governance acumen, strengthen your candidacy, and seize more board opportunities in 2026.

Reading list for aspiring NEDs

Here are my current top 5 books for aspiring and even current NEDs. Not all of these books are new, so if you have read some before, I recommend rereading them with a fresh mindset. This time around, reflect on how you can apply the theories and concepts in relation to the processes of gaining a board appointment, developing a board career plan, or reviewing your current board roles to plan your next step.

#1 Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team  (Simon Sinek)

Review
Start With Why, which I am sure many of you have read or heard of. Whilst Start with Why focuses on successful organisations, Find Your Why takes the golden WHY concept further to focus on the steps individuals can take to figure out their purpose/ their personal WHY.

Find Your Why is a short, practical, and full of exercises to help you recognise your Why – your purpose, cause, or belief that should serve as the driving force behind most of what you do. It is easy to consume in bite-sized pieces, which makes it perfect for this time of year. What I really like is that it reinforces a well-researched psychological theory that, for the vast majority of us, true success comes from pursuing meaningful work that aligns with our values. So, at the very least, this book should inspire self-discovery.

Takeaways for aspiring board directors
Whilst not everyone agrees with Simon’s philosophy, or the concept that everything should start with why. However, when it comes to gaining a board appointment, the why is everything. If you have been following me for some time, you will know that I talk a lot about passion. There are several reasons why finding your why is important:

• • Identifying your why also forces you to identify your passions. 
  • Passion for being a NED, organisation, or cause means everything to Chairs. Chairs know that skills can be learned and knowledge can be gained, but the passion for the board’s and the organisation’s goals can make a difference.
  • Knowing your why will help you identify which boards and board roles are a good fit for you.
  • If you serve on a board that shares your why, you are more likely to thrive in the role and be offered other board roles based on your success.

#2 Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less (Roy Schwartz, Mike Allen, Jum VandeHei) 

Review 
Smart Brevity is a communication formula created by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz, based on their decades of experience in media, business, and communications. Simply put, Smart Brevity is a method of conveying important information concisely and impactfully. The concept focuses on eliminating unnecessary words to deliver the essential message clearly and effectively. This approach can be applied to most forms of spoken and written communication.

Today, people are bombarded with an insane amount of communication from multiple sources simultaneously. In 2025, we have seen exponential growth with AI’s role in writing, sending, and controlling content. It is physically impossible to consume everything, nor do we want to. To be noticed, it is critical to communicate faster and more efficiently while maintaining quality.

Takeaways for aspiring board directors
Whether it is your board application in front of a selection panel, or you are talking to a recruiter, at a networking event, or in a board interview, you essentially have just 7 seconds to make an impression. You must effectively articulate your message in the shortest amount of time whilst separating yourself from the competition. I can assure you that this is not by using AI.

This book offers practical techniques and strategies you can instantly incorporate into your communication to cut through and say more with less. It is easy to be tempted by the time-saving promises of using AI to help you write endless board applications, your board CV, or automate communications. But what we are seeing AI produce is quantity over quality. Standout board candidates provide the exact opposite –  quality over quantity.

As a former full-time executive and board recruiter, I can assure you that recruiters are incredibly time-poor. By applying the Smart Brevity formula, you are more likely to capture their attention and get your message through the noise of irrelevant information. You should also create a positive impression by simplifying their task by delivering the key information they need succinctly.

#3 The DIP: The extraordinary benefits of knowing when to quit and when to stick (Seth Godin)

Review 
The Dip is based on the idea that all worthwhile journeys have a dip. Success comes from accepting this, recognising it, and making a conscious decision when to and when not to push through the dip. Godin’s fundamental concepts are that:

• • Winners quit the right stuff at the right time.
  • Too many people settle for good enough instead of the best in the world.
  • Being well-rounded is not the secret to success.

If you learn about the systems or processes ahead of you and anticipate the dips or obstacles, you are more likely to push through at the point where others give up.

Godin also explains the importance of quitting strategically. There is a reasonably simple way to determine what to do and when to do it. It can be used as a successful approach to managing your life and career.

Takeaways for aspiring board directors
The path to a board appointment is a long and worthwhile pursuit for most. It will be full of obstacles or dips. Most give up far too early when they hit their first dip, leaving the spoils to those who persevere and push through. However, others will waste time pursuing a fixed path when they should have given up and pursued a new path or goal.

Everyone’s pathway to a board appointment will be different. Everyone’s obstacles and Dips along the way will also be different. But one thing they have in common is that a successful board appointment pathway requires perseverance and resilience. Applying the concepts and theories of The Dip will help you find the right path for you and give you the confidence to stay on it.

#4 Talking to Strangers (Malcom Gladwell)

Review 
My favourite author. In this book, Malcom explores why we’re so bad at understanding people we don’t know, using high-profile cases (like Bernie Madoff, Amanda Knox, Sandra Bland) to show how misinterpreting strangers’ motives leads to tragic failures in communication, arguing that our assumptions about truth and deception often backfire, and encouraging more profound curiosity…. a key quality of a NED. 

Takeaways for aspiring board directors
Successful NEDs are people people. However, we can all be, even the most successful NED, poor judges of people because our tools for assessing strangers are flawed, leading to frequent misjudgment. Instead of quick conclusions, we need to extend our curiosity, recognize the depth of others’ experiences, and embrace their complexity. In doing so, we can become more effective NEDs.

#5 How to Gain a Board Appointment: For professionals seeking their first, next, or paid board role. (David Schwarz)

This is MY NEW BOOK, so instead of a biased review, I will tell you more about it.

How to Gain a Board Appointment is the result of my 20 years of experience working with aspiring directors. I have learnt a lot since my early years in the UK and Australia, and now globally. Central to the book is the concept that gaining a board role is not a “journey.” Instead, it is a process. A process that is exactly the same whether you are looking for your first appointment, a subsequent (perhaps paid) role, or you are trying to develop a portfolio career.

The book offers a detailed, step-by-step, easy-to-implement framework that removes the guesswork and accelerates your success, regardless of your board aspirations, experience level, or skill set.

Plus, every purchase includes exclusive access to the Board Appointments Companion Workbook. Inside, you’ll find exercises, checklists, and the practical tools you need to implement what you learn in the book. Think of it as your personal implementation system, helping you put the process into practice immediately so you can ‘dare them not to appoint you’.

Podcasts to listen to while you unwind

Notes from A NED (Hosted by Samuel Kasumu) – Spotify and most major podcast platforms

What it is:  A series of in-depth episodes that explore untold stories and hidden dynamics that influence key leadership decisions at the highest levels of corporate governance.

Why it’s relevant: The content is UK-based, with each episode interviewing a different high-profile non-executive director. These episodes offer many practical insights for aspiring NEDs.

Highlights:

• • Covers many inspiring and unique journeys to a board role.
  • Episode: From Tokenism to True Representation: The Governance Shift.
  • Episode: The Power of Choice: Building Networks & Career Transitions.

Better Board (Hosted by Dr Sabine) – All major podcast platforms

What it is: Dr Sabine Dembkowski talks with some of the most respected and award-winning FTSE Chairs, Senior Independent Directors, Chief Executive Officers, Non-Executive Directors, Company Secretaries, selected trusted advisors, and world-class academics from leading universities like Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge.

Why it’s relevant: The content covers a wide range of topics related to boards and governance. The content is UK-based and evidence-based.

Highlights:

• • With new episodes released fortnightly, there is always something new to listen to, plus a significant library.
  • Episode: It’s not if, it’s when: The Strategic Role of Boards in the Cyber-resk Age.
  • Episode: From Gatekeeper to Guide: How Governance Professionals are Shaping the Boardrooms of Tomorrow.

The Corporate Governance Podcast from the CGI (Hosted by Dan Bryne) – https://www.thecorporategovernanceinstitute.com/insights/#podcast and Spotify

What it is: This podcast is your go-to source for bridging theory with practice in the corporate governance landscape.

Why it’s relevant: It is brought to you by the UK’s Corporate Governance Institute, with guests from various backgrounds. They cover popular topics such as governance responsibilities, DEI, the future of working, ESG & AI, with up-to-date information.

Highlights:

• • UK-produced but includes international guests and experts offering global insights.
  • Episode – Why Lifelong Learning is Crucial.
  • Episode – Governance in a Non-profit.

BoardVision – https://www.nacdonline.org/all-governance/governance-resources/directorship-magazine/board-vision-podcast/, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

What is it: The official podcast of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) engages directors, aspiring directors, CEOs, executives, and the broader business community on significant issues facing corporate boards.

Why it’s relevant: Although US-based, it offers fabulous advice relevant to aspiring NEDs in the UK. Industry leaders and governance experts share and explore the stories and challenges of what it means to be a successful director.

Highlights:

• • The content and insights are tailored to aspiring and new directors.
  • A good variety of topics and experts.
  • Episode: Conquering Boardroom Impostor Syndrome.
  • Episode: From the C-Suite to the Boardroom.

TEDx TALKS

I am sure that most of you are familiar with TED & TEDx Talks. From a one-off technology conference in 1984, 40 years later, it is now a platform for experts to share passions, ideas, and research. TED provides free access to some of the world’s greatest thinkers, leaders, and teachers. 

Here are just a few TED & TEDx Talks that are worth a listen because the theories can be applied to many aspects of the Board Appointment process:

• • How to introduce yourself in 20 words or less | Rebecca Okamoto.
  • 2 questions to uncover your passion | Noeline Kirabo.
  • What I learned from 100 days of rejection | Jia Jiang.

Making the most of your holiday learning

This list isn’t just about passive consumption — it is about being proactive and better prepared for your first or next board role in 2026. I suggest a mix of deep reading with casual listening. Reflect on insights that can make a difference to your board and executive career trajectory. After each session or chapter, write down two questions or takeaways that you would like to follow up on in the new year.

The goal isn’t to power through every title. Instead, choose one book and one podcast that resonate most, use them as the starting point, and adapt what you have learned into your 2026 board career plan.

Wishing you a restful holiday season — and a productive, successful year ahead.

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