In the fast-evolving world of technology, continuous learning and open dialogue are essential for staying ahead. At QIMA, we’ve created a practice that fosters both: a monthly book club for our engineering team. This initiative not only promotes professional growth but also strengthens our team dynamics and collaborative spirit.
The Concept
Our book club is relatively straightforward but highly effective. Every few weeks, we select a new book to read, covering a quarter to a third of it before reconvening to discuss. In these discussions, we aim to extract insights that can be practically applied in our work. The goal is not only to learn from the books but also from one another through lively debates and shared experiences.
How It Works
- Book Selection:
- At the end of each book, our team collaboratively discusses and agrees on the next book to read. We aim to choose books that are relevant to our field and can provide actionable insights.
- Reading Schedule:
- We typically cover a quarter to a third of the book over a few weeks. This manageable pace ensures everyone can participate without feeling overwhelmed by their other responsibilities.
- Monthly Meetings:
- We meet once a month to discuss what we’ve read. These meetings are informal, encouraging open discussion, debate, and even some laughter. The diverse perspectives offered by team members enrich these conversations.
- Integrating Learnings:
- Post-discussion, we focus on how the insights gained can be integrated into our daily workflow. This helps in fostering continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Books We’ve Explored
Some of the notable books we’ve read include:
- "Turn the Ship Around!" by L. David Marquet: This book inspired us to rethink leadership and encouraged us to empower every team member to act like a leader.
- "Engineering Management for the Rest of Us" by Sarah Drasner: Provided practical advice on managing teams and projects more effectively.
- "The Culture Map" by Erin Meyer: Helped us navigate and respect cultural differences within our global teams.
Outcomes and Benefits
- Enhanced Learning:
- The book club has expanded our technical and managerial knowledge base, enabling us to stay current with industry best practices.
- Stronger Team Bonds:
- The informal nature of the meetings has helped build a sense of community and trust within the team. We not only learn together but also understand and appreciate each other’s viewpoints better.
- Practical Application:
- By discussing how to apply the book’s lessons, we ensure that our learning translates into tangible improvements in our projects and processes.
- Continuous Improvement:
- This initiative aligns with our commitment to continuous improvement. It provides a structured yet flexible way to incorporate new ideas and approaches into our work.
Conclusion
Our monthly book club meetings have become a cornerstone of our team culture at QIMA. They’ve helped us maintain a learning-oriented environment, fostered stronger team connections, and inspired actionable insights that drive our success. As we continue this practice, we look forward to exploring more books, sparking more discussions, and achieving even greater heights together.
Do you have a good book to recommend?
