Poke the Box

By Seth Godin

Why You Should Read This: Have you said you want to read more books this year and are having trouble getting started? This book is for you as it’s a quick and easy read. You could also listen to the audible version during your commute or while out for a walk. Here is the link to the Audible version of the book, but I also recommend buying a physical book that you can dog-ear and highlight.

Are you excited about setting goals and priorities for 2023 which includes transformational change… you have a great idea yet afraid to do something for the first time!

I picked up this book as it was shared recommended at the recent annual IAWA conference when thinking about taking initiative to start and finish.

“Poke the Box” had me reflecting as I started into 2023…. Where am I hesitating in my life because I am afraid…. As a leader where am I seeing this hesitation in others? How do I push to be out of one’s comfort zone, commit and realize ones’ potential? Excellence isn’t about working extra hard to do what you are told… it’s about taking the initiative. Don’t give away your power while you wait to be picked… “Poke the Box” now. What we find out when we do get started is that it’s not as risky as we were thinking and often leads to greater opportunities. We gain confidence, grow our skills and learn to trust in ourselves. The book reminds us that it’s okay to fail and that the greatest learning comes from those moments. The author shares many examples of famous people who have overcome failure, were resilient and kept starting. I love this quote by the author “Today, not starting is far, far worse than being wrong. If you start, you’ve got a shot at evolving and adjusting to turn your wrong into a right. But if you don’t start, you never get a chance.”

How You Can Apply This: For me the book lays out 3 easy ways to build this habit and culture

Don’t think about it
Just Start; Finish and
Keep Starting

Of course, in starting anything and conquering our fears, it’s important to know we are supported. Think of the folks in your network, make a list of the people you want in your corner and consider asking for support of your initiative as you poke in an environment that is challenging.

Choose one thing you could start today! Poke the Box… Do it now! Momentum will build and we can become better at creating culture that generates new ideas!

Additional Materials for Reinforcing What You Learned : IAWA’s podcast, Connect, Inspire, and Lead featuring Shaesta Waiz highlights her ability to “poke the box.” Shaesta makes impact and builds community wherever she goes. She did so at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where she started a female student mentoring program that in two years led to the doubling of retention. When she soloed the world, she built community to finance the project and is leveraging it now to bring diversity and a new generation into the aviation industry. When her world record was being planned to be broken – she reached out Zara Rutherford to help her break it that proved that when women collaborate, word records are broken!

Additionally, if you want to further reinforce what you gained from this book, you can download the PoketheBox_workbook.pdf.

This book review was written by Zahra Hirani, IAWA member