What's Ryan Reedin' #8?

Another book already! This is like 4 this year, which is definitely a new record for me. Today's book is really short, like 54 pages, which was a great way for me to get back into reading after a small break to focus on finishing up the winter season.

Today's book is a book that I have had popping up on my social media for some time now. It is probably because of the other books on leadership I have posted, and talked, about. The nice thing with this book is it is geared towards the marching arts. The book is "Wired to Lead" by Christian Elliot-Haynes.

The other nice thing, at least for me, is that Christian is a drummer so he relates alot of the skill building in the book to being a drummer. However, everything he talks about from the prespective of a drummer is easily applicable to a member of the hornline, guard or drum major.

The subtitle of the book is "Mental Strategies for Marching Arts Success, so the drumming references are less about drumming skills and more about already having physical skills (chops) but needing build the mental skills to be success. The book is broken into 3 parts -

Part 1 - The Leadership Mindset (Building a Strong Foundation)

Part 2 - Leadership in Action (The Habits of Top Performers)

Part 3 - Becoming an Elite Performer and Leader (Mastery - Level Skills)

Each chapter is short and to the point, which I like. This book is pretty similiar to "Mental Toughness for Young Athletes" which I reviewed here. Each chapter ends with evaluation questions meant to help young performers process how they were in rehearsal.

The books gives some suggestions on how to handle stressful rehearsals, which is something I find that students don't always have mechanisms to do. It also relates to where students are and where they want to be, challenging them to reframe how the think about their current levels and the levels of those around them. Christian is also up front that every rehearsal isn't all sunshine and rainbows. The book gives techniques on how to push not only yourself through tough rehearsals, but how to help others to push through touch times as well. There is even a chapter on how to set yourself apart at a WGI/DCI audition where everyone is already a successful player.

Overall, I highly recommend "Wired to Lead." It is easily accessible to students and staff. It is also a fast read. I read it over the course of two days while still doing plenty of other things. I could have totally read it in one sitting if I wanted too. This is also a book that I have recommended to my fellow staff memeber and will recommend to my student leadership.