July 2026 Reading Round-Up

Written By Annette Garsteck

Career Insight in the Most Unexpected Places

One of the things I love most about reading is discovering career insight where I least expect to find it.

Sometimes it's in a leadership book.

Sometimes it's hidden inside a memoir.

Sometimes it's tucked into historical nonfiction.

Sometimes it's woven through a novel.

Every month I finish a stack of books, and almost every month one of the selections really surprises me.

This month, that book was Becoming Bulletproof by Evy Poumpouras.

If someone had told me one of my favorite career books this year would come from a former Secret Service agent, I probably would have smiled politely and rolled my eyes.

Instead, I found myself bookmarking ideas that had very little to do with protecting presidents and everything to do with building a successful life and career.

One of the things I've learned over the years is that you don't have to share someone's profession to learn from their experience.

Some of the best career advice comes from people solving completely different problems than you are.

That's exactly what happened this month.

Career Lessons Hidden in Plain Sight

As I listened to Becoming Bulletproof, I wasn't thinking about the Secret Service.

I was thinking about my clients.

Evy describes navigating a male-dominated profession, finding mentors in unexpected places, learning by observing the people around her, and steadily building credibility throughout her career.

Those aren't exclusively Secret Service skills.

They are career management skills.

One of the things I appreciated most was how intentional she was about learning from the people around her. Formal mentors weren't always available, so she created her own opportunities to learn by paying attention, asking questions, and observing leaders in action.

Sometimes the most influential mentor in your career doesn't even know they're mentoring you.

Reading People Is a Career Skill

Section 2 of Evy’s book explored a concept I don't often see discussed in career books.

Reading people.

Drawing on her experience as a Secret Service agent and highly trained polygraph examiner, Evy shares techniques for observing behavior, recognizing patterns, and gathering information before drawing conclusions.

Immediately, my mind went to emotional intelligence.

I've worked with incredibly talented professionals throughout my career. The ones who consistently earn new opportunities aren't simply good at what they do. They're exceptional observers. They notice what's happening around them, understand the dynamics at play, and adjust their approach accordingly.

Whether you're interviewing, networking, leading a meeting, or presenting to executives, your ability to read people and the room can be just as valuable as any education or certification you bring to the table.

Observation Before Interpretation

One of the things I appreciated most about Becoming Bulletproof is that Evy doesn't stop at teaching readers how to read other people.

She challenges us to become more aware of how other people experience us.

It felt like Evy was talking right to me.

Sandra Wint and I have spent a great deal of time talking about this in recent episodes of Exposing the Hidden Reality. Whether we're discussing workplace conflict, leadership, or the stories we challenge about ourselves, one theme continues to emerge.

We only have so much control over what other people think of us.

What we can control is how we choose to show up.

We can be intentional about the impression we make.

We can communicate with confidence.

We can become more aware of our body language, our words, and our actions.

And then we let those things become the evidence of who we are.

Evy shares practical techniques for making a positive first impression, communicating more effectively, and understanding the nonverbal messages we send every day. Those aren't just Secret Service skills. They're leadership skills.

I couldn't help thinking about how valuable those skills are in today's workplace.

Whether you're interviewing, navigating conflict, leading a meeting, or collaborating across departments, your ability to be self-aware and intentionally shape how you show up can influence both the quality of your relationships and how others perceive you.

That's emotional intelligence in action.

Influence Without Authority

The final section of Becoming Bulletproof explores influence, one of the least tangible and most valuable skills we can develop throughout our careers.

Influence isn't reserved for executives.

It isn't granted by a title.

It isn't listed on an organizational chart.

Influence is built.

It's earned through trust.

It's strengthened through credibility.

It's sustained through relationships.

One of the greatest misconceptions I see is that influence begins after a promotion.

In reality, influence is what earns the promotion.

The professionals who make the greatest impact aren't always the ones with the highest titles. They're the ones who build coalitions, create consensus, and bring people together around a shared goal.

That's one of the reasons this book surprised me so much.

I expected stories about protecting presidents.

Instead, I found lessons on executive presence, emotional intelligence, reputation, and influence that every professional can apply, regardless of where they are in their career.

Career Insight in Unexpected Places

As I reviewed the rest of my July reading, I saw many of the authors were exploring similar ideas from completely different perspectives.

Communication.

Visibility.

Confidence.

Resilience.

Purpose.

Career growth.

Each author approached these topics differently, yet together they reinforced something I've come to believe.

Some of the best career insight isn't found in career books.

It's found in the experiences of people who have mastered their craft, learned from failure, challenged conventional thinking, and remained curious throughout their lives.

That's one of the reasons I continue making reading such an important investment in my own personal and professional development…and why I recommend my clients do the very same.

Every month I'm reminded that the next idea capable of changing my perspective may be waiting in a book I never expected to pick up.

Books I Read | July 2026

Every month, I highlight a few ideas that spoke to me and helped me look at my work a little differently. Here are the books that filled my headphones and bookshelves throughout July.

Becoming Bulletproof by Evy Poumpouras

“Respect is not something that can be forced or demanded. It's a gift. If someone wants to give it to you, they will.”

Outspoken by Veronica Rueckert

“Women, in particular, will be penalized for breaches of decorum. To appear deferential and polite, we add words...in response, we are criticized, it's a no-win scenario.”

How to Own the Room by Viv Groskop

“With the advent of digital technology, if you have a message you want to spread, you have to amplify your voice and get your words out there, otherwise one of your competitors will beat you to it.”

Taste by Stanley Tucci

“I saw, in that moment, the embodiment of what I and so many of us aspire to. To spend your life doing what you love and doing it well.”

Who Better Than You? by Will Packer

“Striving to do something great will make your life better, regardless of the outcome. You are a better person for having tried.”

Mistakes I Made at Work edited by Jessica Bacal

“You don't have to think, ‘I do this for work and will always do it.’ Careers are long and they evolve and change over time.”
— Kim Gordon

Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine

“Accepting a bad outcome as a gift does not mean inviting more of it or doing nothing about it.”

Did Not Finish This Month

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Not every book arrives at the right time. I'll likely come back to this one another month.

Continue Your Reading Journey

If one or more of these books caught your attention, I've gathered them together in my July 2026 Reading Round-Up collection on my Amazon Storefront.

More Development Ideas

If you're new to this series, you might also enjoy my previous Reading Round-Ups:

One Final Thought

One of the greatest gifts reading has given me isn't simply more knowledge.

It's perspective.

Every month I'm reminded that meaningful career insight can come from almost anywhere. A Secret Service agent. An actor. A journalist. A psychologist. A business leader.

Each brings a different lens, yet together they reinforce something I believe deeply: professional growth isn't built from one idea or one book. It's built by staying curious enough to keep learning.

That's why reading remains one of the best investments I make in myself, my clients, and the work I have the privilege of doing every day.

I'd love to know what's on your reading list.

What is the best thing you've read recently?

Comment below and share. Some of my favorite books have come from recommendations shared by readers just like you.

Continue Investing in Your Career

If you're looking for another book to add to your reading list, I'd be honored if you'd check out Own Your Career: Take Control + Accelerate Your Professional Growth.

Whether you're pursuing a promotion, considering a career change, or simply becoming more intentional about your professional growth, I wrote it to help you take ownership of what's next.

**As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thank you for supporting my work through my Amazon Storefront.

Annette Garsteck
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